Elsie P. Halford, 260 S. Buhl Farm Drive, Hermitage, passed away at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, in UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, after a brief illness. She was 83.

Mrs. Halford was born April 26, 1925, in Passaic, N.J., to Stapleton Conway Deitrick and Emily Randolph Deitrick.

She was a 1943 graduate of Fairfax Hall in Waynesboro, Va., and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, N.J.

A homemaker, Mrs. Halford was a talented artist and seamstress who loved playing bridge and solving jigsaw puzzles.

Prior to moving to Hermitage in May 2006, she lived for 15 years in Augusta, Ga., and for more than 44 years in El Dorado, Ark.

As a member of First United Methodist Church in El Dorado, she was active in the Wednesday Craft Workers.

Her husband, J.B. Halford, whom she married July 22, 1944, passed away Jan. 21, 1982.

Surviving are: her daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and John Lima, Sharon; her son, John Burke Halford Jr., Amarillo, Texas; two granddaughters, Tamra Reynolds, Milwaukee; and Mrs. Chad (Mandy) Verdin, Summerfield, La.; her stepgrandson, Philip Lima, Pittsburgh; and three great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are: her twin brother, Lingan R. Deitrick and his wife Sally, Powhatan, Va.; her sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Jack Hopper, Whiting, N.J.; her sister, Emily Clouse, Oak Ridge, Tenn.; and 14 nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Halford was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Stapleton Conway Deitrick Jr.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the United Way of Mercer County, 300 W. State St., Sharon, PA 16146.

HALFORD

Mrs. J.B. (Elsie P.), 83, of 260 S. Buhl Farm Drive, Hermitage.

Calling hours: 3 to 5 p.m. Friday (10-10-08) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may e-mail condolences to McGonigleFuneralHome@ verizon.net