HERMITAGE, Pa.,- Richard Van Gay, Hermitage, Pa., passed away peacefully at 12:39 p.m. Wednesday (9-23-09) in the Intensive Care Unit of Sharon Regional Health System following an extended illness. He was 68.

He was born on July 15, 1941, in Kissinger Mills Pa., (Clarion County), the son of Donald Van and Lillian DeRose Adams Gay.

Richard graduated from East Brady High School in 1958.

A machine operator, he retired from Fessler Machine Company in Sharon, Pa., with more than 20 years of service.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing for salmon, and his recent elk hunt in Pennsylvania.

A United States Army veteran, Richard served during the Vietnam Era from 1959 until 1961 and was stationed in Japan where he was proud to have been selected to work in Intelligence and communication.

He leaves his companion of 18 years, Eileen Wilms Russell; a daughter, Christine Nabozny and her husband, Casmir, Womelsdorf, Pa.; a son, Michael Van. Gay and his wife, Judi, of Hermitage; his grandchildren, Jason and Andrew Gay, and Taylor and Sonya Nabozny; his two sisters, Shirley Robinson and Pam Ryan, both of East Brady, Pa.; his former wife, Judy Ryan of Sharon, and his companion Eileen's four children, Richard Russell Jr. and his wife, Kim, David Russell and his wife, Amy, Gregory Russell and his wife Donalle, Brian Russell, and 10 grandchildren, Angie, Trip, Maurica, Ari, Audrey, Merideth, David, Payton, Zach and Tori.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Donna Switzer.

Memorial contributions made in Richard's memory will go to the purchase of books for disabled veterans and can be made through the funeral home.

Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 on Friday (9-25-09) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory 1090 E. State St. Sharon. Condolences may be sent by visiting the Web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Services and Interment: A graveside service with family and friends will take place at noon on Saturday (9-26-09) in Franklin Square Salem Township Cemetery, Salem Grange Road, Salem, Ohio.

9/25/09