Meretta Esther Stockman

Meretta Esther Stockman, 87, died Monday, June 6, 2022, at her home in North Strabane after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She was born January 11, 1935, in Lisbon, Ohio the daughter of Oscar Lee and Mary Ellen (Cox) Ikirt.

Meretta graduated from David Anderson High School in 1953.  She began her printing career at the Lisbon Evening Journal as a linotype operator in her senior year of high school.  While growing up in Lisbon, Meretta bowled in a number of leagues at Hawkeye Lanes.  Coincidentally Richard, her future husband, was the proprietor of Hawkeye which he purchased and owned from 1956-1964.  On August 29, 1966, Meretta married Richard Stockman in their home church, Lisbon First Christian.

In 1966, Meretta and Richard moved to Washington, PA as linotype operators for Case Programs, on-grounds printer of The Meadows harness and simulcast racing programs.  Richard became owner in 1968 and together they never missed the printing of any race card deadline.

Together, they also owned and operated Stockman Printing in Houston, PA where they overcame a flood and fire in 1990 and chose to rebuild the same year. Meretta and Richard retired together in 2000.

Upon moving to Washington, Meretta initially joined the First Christian Church - Disciples of Christ in 1966 and served many years as an Elder.  In 2008, Meretta and Richard together decided to become members of Chartiers-Hill United Presbyterian Church and join many of their longtime friends in worship.  While at Hill Church, Meretta helped with many auctions, yard and flower sales, soup and bake sales, bible school sessions as well as made many good friends at bible study and other church events.

In addition to church, Meretta was active in the community.  In fact, she was part of the original North Strabane Township Park & Recreation Committee that started what is now “Community Day”.  She was also a coordinator for Canonsburg-Houston Meals on Wheels and later wrote thank you notes when she was no longer able to perform other more physical tasks.

While in Washington, Meretta bowled in several leagues in the area and participated in a number of national tournaments prior to her retirement.  She also enjoyed horse racing and attending auctions with Richard as well as PTA, basketball boosters, ceramics, card club, Red Hats club as well as many other social activities with her many good friends. It is no surprise that many of these events involved good food, as Meretta not only enjoyed cooking but did a really good job fattening up her family and friends with some “amazing” family recipes.

Once retired, Meretta and Richard spent winters in Lighthouse Point, FL close to brother and sister-in-law, Jack & Esther Stockman.  Meretta was extremely active in their Homeowners Association, where she initially took on the newsletter due to her printing and journalism background and also coordinated the social committee for monthly birthday and holiday events.  Meretta officially joined their Board of Directors in 2006 and served 3 years as President, multiple years as Vice-President and Secretary and sometimes held multiple offices at the same time.  She was still Secretary of the board at the time of her death.

Meretta is survived by son Matthew R. Stockman, wife Tania and granddaughter Illiana of Palm Coast, FL and son David C. Stockman, wife Leah and grandson Nathan of Canonsburg, PA; sister-in-law Esther Stockman of Pompano Beach, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased, along with her parents Oscar Lee and Mary Ellen, are husband Richard, brothers Kenneth and Glendon (Kay Hill), and sisters Delores (Cushman), Avis (McMillan), and Joan (Ruby).

All friends are welcome to pay their respects from 6-8 Sunday, June 12, 2022; 2-4 and 6-8 PM Monday, June 13, 2022, in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra LFD Owner/Supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA  724-745-8120 where funeral services  will begin at 12:15 PM Tuesday, June 14, 2022 with Rev. Peggy Shannon of Chartiers-Hill United Presbyterian Church, officiating.   Interment will follow at 1:30 PM in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Twp., PA.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to: Chartiers-Hill Church, 2230 Washington Rd., Canonsburg, PA  15317 or Canonsburg-Houston Meals on Wheels, Houston United Presbyterian Church, 102 N. Main St., Houston, PA  15342.

To extend or view condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.

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