Raisley

Kenneth Lee Raisley, 62, of Mount Chestnut went to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer for the past year.

Born in Pittsburgh, July 21, 1946, and raised in Mount Chestnut, he was the son of the late Kenneth E. and Helen J. Dickey Raisley.

He graduated from Slippery Rock High School in 1964. He began his career with Armco on Nov. 16, 1964, and retired in July 2000 after 35 years and eight months. He received his commercial drivers license and drove trucks inside and outside the mill. He was an extremely skilled heavy equipment operator and crane operator. He loved his job because it was ever-changing and gave him the opportunity to play with the "big toys" everyday.

He was a lifelong member of Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church, where he was active in the choir for years. God gave him an incredible singing talent, which touched the hearts of any who heard him sing.

He was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting with his family and friends. He loved working around the house and tinkering with his tractors. One of his favorite pastimes was his love for mowing on his treasured John Deeres. "Anything on my mind will be worked out by the time the mowing is done," he would say.

He was a helper by nature. Whether it was providing care to an ailing loved one, working on a project or assisting a stranger alongside the road, he was known to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He will be sadly missed by so many who loved him.

Kenneth Lee Raisley is survived by his loving wife, Julie Ann Raisley, who he married Dec. 14, 1968; his beloved daughter, Amy Raisley of Mount Chestnut; his two sisters, Mrs. Donald (Marcia) Todd of Punxsutawney and Mrs. F. James (Carol) Cobane of Mount Chestnut; his brother, Robert E. Raisley of Mount Chestnut; his nephew and niece, Jesse and Shannon Cobane of Mount Chestnut; and his two beloved cats.

Also surviving are his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Nick and Eva Bilowich of Butler; his uncle and aunt, Wilson "Bud" and Evelyn Weissert of Zelienople; his aunts, Lila Mae Snyder and Helen Holoboski of Butler; and a number of cousins.

He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Dennis Lee Raisley; his parents, Kenneth E. and Helen J. Raisley; and his cherished son-in-law to be, Robert E. Brothers, Jr.

<B>RAISLEY</B> — The family of Kenneth Lee Raisley, who died Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, will receive friends from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jeffrey Curtis, his church pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Burial Estates, Mount Chestnut.Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 2305 Butler, PA 16003.Funeral arrangements are being provided by <B>Edward L. Raisley Funeral Home</B>, Prospect. For more information or to leave an online condolence go to www.raisleyfuneralhome.com.