Waltman

Clyde J. Waltman, 87, died at 6:05 a.m. Wednesday in the same house where he was born on Main Street, Chicora.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Clyde was born May 18, 1924, to the late John F. Waltman and Elnora M. Geibel Waltman.

He was a 1942 graduate of Millerstown High School, Chicora.

He started working at Witco/Sonneborn, Petrolia, in May 1942, and he worked there for 48 years. While at Witco, he was an assistant superintendent.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Force, entering active duty March 31, 1943, and served our country until his separation on March 1, 1946. He achieved the rank of private first class. While serving in the military, Clyde was part of the architectural team that engineered the plane, the Enola Gay, that carried the first atomic bomb, code named “Little Boy,” that was dropped on Hiroshima, Aug. 6, 1945, playing a vital role ending World War II.

In his younger years, he was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers, Panthers and Pirates fan.

He was an active member of the Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, Chicora, all his life and served on the parish council for several years. His church was very important to him and was a mainstay in his life and his family. He was a volunteer for many church activities, including transportation for the nuns who taught catechism.

Clyde was known by many for his early evening cruise around the town of Chicora to watch over his family and friends, making sure all was well.

He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus of Butler.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Lou Fuhrer Waltman, who he married July 12, 1962, and with whom he shared a special Saturday night date all their married life. Also surviving are a daughter, Mary Anne W. Morelli and her husband, Michael, of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; sons, Michael J. Waltman and his friend, Sue Martin, of Butler and Robert B. Waltman and his wife, Tracy, of Butler; special grandchildren, for whom he waited a long time, Kassidee L. Waltman and Alexis P. Waltman; brothers-in-law, Donald E. Black of Chicora and Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. and his wife, Heidi, of Fox Chapel and Richard E. Fuhrer of Pittsburgh.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Mildred M. Graham and her husband, John R., Ethel M. Boal and her husband, Charles P., and Evelyn L. Black; and three infant siblings.

<B>WALTMAN</B> — Friends of Clyde J. Waltman, who died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, will be received at <B>STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME</B>, downtown Chicora, 111 E. Slippery Rock and North Main streets, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. A celebration of life Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Mater Dolorosa Church, 409 N. Main St., Chicora, with the Rev. Joseph Pudichery, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery, Chicora Road, Oakland Township.For information, directions and to extend condolences to the family, go to, www.steighnerfuneralhome.com.