David I. Cropp

David I. Cropp, 90, of Tavares, FL, and a former long time Meadville resident died, Sunday, February 20, 2000 at Beverly Health Care Meadville, following a period of declining health.

He was born in Woodcock Township, March 20, 1910, a son of C. Edward and Gertrude Stull Cropp.  He first married Orpha E. Byrd, who preceded him in death, October 3, 1972.  He subsequently married Helen Marie Whalen April 6, 1975, and she survives.

A Mechanical Engineer, he was a graduate of the Meadville Public Schools and attended Penn State University.  In 1940, he originated Warren Plastics of Warren, PA with Stuart Myers, which was sold in 1954.  During most of that time he was also employed as an engineer with General Signal Co. of Rochester, NY from 1942 to 1958.  In 1956, he was a founding partner in Saegertown Components with Robert Lingo and Chalmer Jorden, which was sold to GTI Corp in 1960.  He was affiliated with William Olander in Plastic-Case Co. of Frewsburg, NY manufacturing plastic casings for the jewelry industry.  He was a partner with George Baldwin in Truck-Life of Jamestown, NY selling that company to Quaker State Refining Co. in 1964.  He founded and was president of DIC Tool Co. of Meadville from 1967 to 1979, when the company was merged into Trojan Co. of Mt. Sterling, KY.  He retired in 1980.

A Grange member since 1922, he was currently a member of Golden Triangle Grange of Tavares, FL.  A member of Elks Lodge #219 of Meadville, a member of the American Society of Manufacturing Engineers and a member of Twelve Apostles Lutheran Church of Saegertown.

Survivors in addition to his wife, include a son, Jack W. Cropp of Winchester, KY; two step sons, James W. Whalen and Thomas J. Whalen of Meadville; four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Saegertown Cemetery.