Ira Dale Bishop, 77, of 441 W. Third St., Apt. 110, Erie, (formerly of Conneautville) died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at Hamot Medical Center, Erie.

He was born in Barren, Ark., on July 30, 1931, a son of the late Ira L. Bishop and Leta Bright Bishop. He married Nancy Truax on Nov. 12, 1977, and she survives.

He attended First Baptist Church of Greenville, and was a former member of Conneaut Valley Lions Club.

He was employed as a heavy equipment operator.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy, of 31 years, of Erie; four sons, Mike Bishop and his wife, Tammy, of Meadville; Jeff Bishop and his wife, Linda, of Meadville, Kurt Bishop of Amarillo, Texas, Ross Bishop and his wife, Tracy, of Highville, Texas; a daughter, Michelle Bishop (and Philip Lehman) of Springboro; 16 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jerry Bishop and Darwin Bishop, both of California; and a sister, Barbara Yarbrough of Arizona.

He was preceded by his parents; two sisters, Dorothy and Evelyn; and two brothers, Warren and Ed.

Friends may call on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at White-Cool Funeral Home, 1405 Main St. Conneautville, and attend the memorial service at 8 p.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor David Cox of First Baptist Church of Greenville officiating.

Interment will be private.

White-Cool Funeral Home, 1405 Main Street, Conneautville, is in care of arrangements.