Alonzo A. Van Atta
Alonzo A. Van Atta, 70, of Middlesex Township died Monday.
Born in Glenshaw, May 4, 1940, he was the son of the late Harry Admiral and Emma Margaret (Murray) Van Atta.
He also was preceded in death by three brothers, Wayne Lewis, Robert Van Atta and John Van Atta.
He was the beloved husband for 49 years of Sandra E. (Wright) Van Atta, who he married July 15, 1961; loving father of Jeffrey (Michele) Van Atta of Delmont and David (Lori Scott) Van Atta of Middlesex Township; brother of Jane Jackson, Judith (Henry) Swick, Frank (Adele) Van Atta and Thomas (Shirley) Van Atta; ex-father-in-law of Julia and Elizabeth Van Atta; and proud grandfather of Gina, Bunny, Trouble, Beth, Dana, and Homer “Junior.” Also surviving is one great-grandson, Hunter Shroder.
Alonzo retired as a truck driver from William J. Brown Trucking in Valencia and was a former Shaler Township police officer.
A firefighter for more than 48 years, he volunteered with both the Elfinwild and Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire companies.
Alonzo was a past supervisor of Middlesex Township and was a member of the Corinthian Lodge 573 F&AM in Millvale.
He loved the outdoors, especially his property on which he lived with his family since 1985, hunting, tractors and his motorcycles. Above everything, Alonzo was devoted to his beloved family.
<B>VAN ATTA</B> — The family of Alonzo A. Van Atta, who died Monday, Feb. 28, 2011, will welcome friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at <B>Schellhaas Funeral Home</B>, 5864 Heckert Road, Bakerstown, where a firefighter's vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday. Funeral services will be in the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Friday.Following services, Alonzo's last call will take place at Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Company, where friends are invited to a reception at the conclusion of services.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Middlesex Township VFC, P.O Box 132, Valencia, PA 16059; or to the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania, 6620 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206.Please offer a personal tribute in memory of Alonzo at www.schellhaasfh.com.
