Leo Herbert Rettig

Leo Herbert Rettig, 100, of Rimersburg passed away Friday at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born Sept. 27, 1916 in Brady Township, Clarion County, the son of Charles Henry and Bertha Viola (Sayers) Rettig.

Leo was a lifelong resident of the area and a member of St. Richard’s Roman Catholic Church. He attended the elementary school in Phillipston and graduated from East Brady High School in 1936.

Leo began his career working as a coal miner at Kissinger Mine. He then worked on the drilling and conveyor crew for the Keystone Mining Company and for other Jakie mines in the area.

On Feb. 13, 1941, he became a brakeman and conductor for Conrail and held that position for 37 years, retiring Oct. 5, 1976.

Following his retirement, he faithfully volunteered his time as a groundskeeper at St. Eusebius Cemetery up until he was 98 years old.

Leo was known for being a hard worker, skilled in many areas. Wood crafting and stone masonry were two of his specialties and he created many beautiful pieces throughout his life.

Leo was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Fraternal Order of the Eagle, both of Oil City. He also enjoyed gardening, his flowers and mowing his yard along with St. Eusebius Cemetery.

His memory will be cherished by his sons, William L. Rettig and wife Leslie of Indiana, Pa. and Thomas G. Rettig and wife Nancy of Clarion; daughters, Dorethia A. Hepfner and husband Robert of Girard, Ohio, Alice M. Clark and husband Eugene of Rimersburg, Charlotte J. Elder and husband Terry of Humble, Texas and Anne M. Adams and husband Dennis of Knox; 19 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Paul Rettig and wife Gladys of Butler; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Jean Elizabeth McNaughton Rettig, who he married Feb. 27, 1937 and who died Aug. 9, 2012; a great-grandson, Samuel Adams; brothers John H., Charles A., Joseph S., James E. and David E. Rettig; and sisters Mary F. Reiner and Elizabeth L. Rettig.

RETTIG — Relatives and friends of Leo Herbert Rettig, who died Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 758 Main St., Rimersburg.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Richard’s Roman Catholic Church, Rimersburg, with the Rev. William Kuba as celebrant.

Burial will follow at St. Eusebius Cemetery, East Brady.

Contributions may be made in Leo’s memory to the Richard Vidunas Memorial Fund, PO Box A, Rimersburg, PA 16248, the Larry Fye Memorial Fund, PO Box A, Rimersburg, PA 16248, St. Eusebius Cemetery, 301 E. 2nd St., East Brady, PA 16028, or Clarion Forest VNA Hospice, 271 Perkins Rd., Clarion, PA 16214.

To send a condolence to Leo’s family or view a tribute honoring his life, visit www.bauerhillisfuneral.com.