Forrest Sheridan Pyle, 87, of Blairsville, PA passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at the Indiana Regional Medical Center, Indiana, PA.A son of Ellis and Sylvia (Pickworth) Pyle, he was born October 14, 1922 at Jerome, Somerset County, PA.Forrest got his start in the business world by developing and managing paper routes. With the help of his siblings he had two daily Pittsburgh, two daily Johnstown papers and one Sunday Philadelphia paper routes. With the help of his paper routes he was able to contribute much to the family finances during a very difficult period for his family. Forrest graduated from Boswell High School in 1940. After graduation he was employed by the American Food Company until he enlisted in the US Army Air Force in 1942. Completing his training in the states, he was assigned to B-24, 455th Bombardment group with the 15th Army Air Force in Italy as a bombardier. After the war ended 1st Lt. Pyle was discharged. He returned to Jennerstown and became the first commander of the newly formed VFW Post in Jennerstown. In 1946, he and his brother-in-law, Paul Hammer, purchased an appliance store in Blairsville. Later, Forrest became the sole owner of Pyle Appliance Center. The store had been in three locations in Blairsville. He expanded and added furniture, carpeting, as well as appliances.He is past president of the Blairsville Merchant's Association, a member of Kiwanis, chosen as "Outstanding Citizen" by the Blairsville Jaycees, member of the VFW, American Legion and the Somerset Masonic Lodge #358 F&AM. Forrest supported many philanthropic projects in the community.Forrest married Louise Louther in 1947. They have one son, Bradley Bruce Pyle. Forrest, Louise and Brad had a very keen interest in Civil War history and visited many of the battlefields of that war.Besides his wife and son, he is survived by a sister, Mary (Pyle) Palmer of Cortland, OH and Seminole, FL; sister-in-law, Evelyn (Nees) Pyle of Wilmington, DE; brother-in-law, John Weber of Ligonier; 10 nieces and nephews and several cousins.He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Anita Hammer and Dorothy Ann Weber and a brother, Dalton Pyle.Forrest was a very caring person who helped many people during his lifetime.The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 P.M. Friday at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut Street, Blairsville, PA.Funeral services will be held at 8:00 P.M. Friday in the funeral home with Rev. Timothy R. Monroe officiating.Interment will be in Blairsville Cemetery, Blairsville, PA.Acacia Lodge #355 F&AM will have masonic services in the funeral home at 7:30 P.M. Friday.Military services will be accorded by Blairsville VFW Post #5821 and American Legion Post #0407 in the funeral home on Friday.
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