Lamont M. "Fat" McCandless, 96, of Butler died Monday at the home of his daughter in Pittsburgh.

Born Oct. 4, 1908, in Pittsburgh, he was a son of Garfield and Mayme Baker McCandless.

He was a partner with the late George "Butts" Colley in Craftsman-Ziegler Printing Co. from 1936 until his retirement in 1983. He also had been a printer at Eagle Printery and served as Butler Township treasurer from 1962 through 1970.

Mr. McCandless was a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, where he belonged to the Holy Name Society and was an usher. He was a former president and a very active volunteer for the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Butler for many years. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 866.

He was a former member of the Butler Lions Club, and was a member of the United Commercial Travelers. He was an avid bridge player and was a member of the American Contract Bridge League.

During World War II, he was appointed to serve on the local draft board.

He is survived by a son, David P. McCandless of Houston, Texas; eight daughters: Barbara McCandless of California, Mrs. Evalyn "Lynn" Lukavich, well-known organist in West Sunbury, Jacquelyn McCandless and her husband, Ross Hawkins, of Culver City, Calif., Judith Ann McCandless of California, Ms. Gretchen Amado of Pittsburgh, Karen McCandless and Mrs. Russell (Mary) Buchner, both of Houston, Texas and Patricia Jo McCandless of Palmdale, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Robert (Dixie Lou) Whitaker of Fairlawn, Ohio; and a sister: Mrs. Mildred Cehelsky of Butler.

He also is survived by 26 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.

His first wife, E. Lucille Mangel McCandless died Dec. 31, 1978. His second wife, Vera Marie Imhoff Barlow McCandless, died Nov. 14, 2004. He also was preceded in death by a son, a daughter, a grandson, a step-granddaughter, two brothers and two sisters.

McCANDLESS - Friends of Lamont M. "Fat" McCandless, who died Monday, June 20, 2005, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.Members of Knights of Columbus Council 866 will recite the rosary at 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.The St. Paul Guild and Christian Mothers will recite the rosary at 10:35 a.m. Friday at the church.Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, 400 E. Locust St., Butler, PA 16001.Please visit the funeral home Web site at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.