A late obituary posting from Tuesday's Indiana Gazette- Sloan Cornell, long time tourist railroad entrepreneur has died at age 85. Arrangements are being handled by the James F. Ferguson Funeral Home, Market Street, Blairsville, Pa 15717.

Here is the obituary:

CORNELL, SLOAN, 85, BLAIRSVILLE, PA

died Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Beacon Ridge, Indiana, PA. He was born March 27, 1925 in North Madison, OH, the son of the late James and Belle (Smith) Cornell. He was the previous owner, with his wife, of the Knox & Kane Railroad in Marienville, PA, the Gettsburg Railroad and the former Penn View Mountain Rail Road. He also was a former milk hauler for Isley’s Dairy. He was a member of the Acacia Lodge #355 F&AM of Blairsville, PA. He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Overly of Blairsville, PA, daughter, Marilyn Hafer & husband Russel of Blairsville, PA, daughter, Teri West & husband Byron of Russell, PA, daughter, Patricia Kaas & husband David of Gardners, PA, daughter, Barbara Smith & husband Craig of Dublin, OH, 13 Grandchildren, 12 Great Grandchildren, daugher-in-law- Beth Cornell of Orrtanna, PA and many Nieces & Nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Clara Jean Cornell in 2005, son, James Cornell in 2004 and siblings, Sanford Cornell, Mae Saunders, Frank Cornell, Elsie Kendall and George Cornell. The Family will receive friends on Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Acacia Lodge #355 F&AM will conduct services on Thursday at 7:30 PM in the Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 23, 2010 at 1:00 PM in the Funeral Home. Rev. Michael K. Fischer will officiate. Interment will be in the Blairsville Cemetery, Blairsville, PA.

Note:
Mr. Cornell was a great friend of my late father and I.As a young child I spent spent many, many enjoyable days at the Penn View Mtn. RR with my dad. We were invited guests on the first trip of the Gettysburg to Mt. Holly Springs and again on the inaugural run of the Knox and Kane to Kinzua Viaduct. He was a gracious, hard working man who treated my father and I like family whenever we were around. Mr. Cornell and the railroads he ran are fond memories for thousands and will be sorely missed.

He was a gracious, hard working man who treated my father and I like family whenever we were around. Mr. Cornell and the railroads he ran are fond memories for thousands and will be sorely missed.

I can echo those same sentiments about Jim and Beth whenever I visited the Getty. Hospitality ran in the family.