Alma G. Sedell

Alma G. Sedell, 93, of Monessen, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Monday, February 21, 2011, in the Mon Valley Care Center. Born in Newell on March 24, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Merrill and Alene Spencer Ike. Mrs. Sedell was a member of the First Christian Church in Charleroi and a former member of the Webster Presbyterian Church. Alma was extremely proud to be one of the first certified female driving instructors in the state of Pennsylvania. This certification was instrumental in her starting the Alma Sedell Driving School which she operated for over 11 years. Her caring ways and willingness to help others was obvious when she would volunteer hours of her time to teach widows how to drive after the death of their spouse. She also liked to read, cook, bake, and volunteer at the Center in the Woods. Her faith was extremely important to her and she truly believed in and lived by the phrase "practice what you preach". Mrs. Sedell was known to be a lover of cats. This love was exhibited just last year as she took in a sick and injured kitten and nursed it back to life. Left to cherish the many memories of Mrs. Sedell are a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Michael & Alice Sedell, of Carlisle; a daughter and son-in-law, Joanne & Rodney Lynn, of Charleroi; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Margaret Franks, of Monessen. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, John, on April 24, 1994; an infant son, John; a grandson, John R. Ronick; and a sister, Mildred Kearney. Friends will be received Friday, Feb. 25, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the MELENYZER-DuBARR FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 825 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi. A one hour visitation will also be held prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, Feb. 26, in the First Christian Church, 61 Walnut Ridge Road, Charleroi. Rev. Jim Linn will preside over the service. Interment will follow in Mon Valley Memorial Park, Donora. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to First Christian Church. Those attending the funeral service on Saturday are asked to go directly to the church.