Cypher

James D. Cypher, 85, of Butler died at midnight Monday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

He was born Feb. 6, 1924, in Marwood, the son of Martin and Marie Montgomery Cypher.

Mr. Cypher served in the Army Air Corps as a lieutenant and flight instructor during World War II.

After returning home from the service, Mr. Cypher attended William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Va., where he graduated in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in applied social science.

He began his service to the city of Butler in 1967 as an administrative assistant to Mel Kaplan, then the director of the Redevelopment Authority. James later became the director of the Redevelopment Authority and retired in 1987, but remained on as an authority board member and was active and interested in the continued improvement of Butler.

Mr. Cypher was a long-term member of the board of the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame and was a charter member of the Butler Quarterback Club.

Surviving are his son, Steven Cypher of Cabot; his daughter, Mrs. James (Loren) Sims of Claysville, Pa.; a granddaughter, Ashley Victoria, and grandson, J.D. Sims, both of Claysville; three nephews, Robert Cypher of Maryland, Neal Cypher of Butler and Alan Cypher of Cranberry Township.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet D. Cypher, who he married in 1957, and who died Dec. 25, 2007; two brothers, Robert and Martin; and two sisters, Lois and Betty, all of Marwood.

<B>CYPHER</B> — Friends of James D. Cypher, who died Monday, June 8, 2009, will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Young Funeral Home</B>, Butler. Services and burial are private.Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 10 Duff Road, Suite 304, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 or to the American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.Information also is available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com.