Witzel

Robert C. “Bob” Witzel, 83, of Evans City passed away Saturday at UPMC Passavant Hospital surrounded by his family.

Born July 3, 1927, in Bellevue, he was the son of the late Raymond and Mary Jane (Coffey) Witzel.

Mr. Witzel was a 1945 graduate of Evans City High School, and upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy, serving on the U.S.S. LST 569 in the Pacific theater during World War II. He continued serving his country in the Navy Reserve until 1954.

Before entering the Navy, he worked on the railroad. Following his discharge from the Navy, he worked for Johns Mansville in Zelienople, retiring after 34 years.

Mr. Witzel was a life member of the Hungarian Beneficial Society of Zelienople, a life member of the Evans City American Legion and a member of the Evans City VFW.

He loved animals and bird watching, and he enjoyed fishing, especially ice fishing and surf fishing at the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sheila (McNichols) Witzel; four children, Vickie (John) Rupert of Zelienople, Bill (Michel) Witzel of Slippery Rock, Judy Kline of Butler and Bonnie (David) Wilkinson of Harmony; a brother, Donald (Donna) Witzel of Evans City; six grandchildren, Christine Rupert Weber of Virginia, Rebecca Witzel Hamilton of New Castle, Steve Rupert of Evans City, Clay and Kurt Kline, both of Butler, and Tim Wilkinson of Harmony; and five great-grandchildren, Link and Jocelyn Rupert, Sawyer Kline and Victoria and Austin Weber. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

<B>WITZEL </B>— Friends of Robert C. “Bob” Witzel, who died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at <B>Boylan Funeral Home</B>, 116 E. Main St., Evans City. Funeral services and interment will be private.Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 777 Penn Center Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15235; the American Lung Association, 11676 Perry Highway, Wexford, PA 15090; or to the American Diabetes Association, 300 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 602, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.Online condolences and directions are available at www.boylanfuneralhome.com.