Herbert Edward 'Herb' Elias
Herbert Edward “Herb” Elias, 83, of Butler passed away at 9:48 a.m. Monday in the comfort of his home surrounded by family and guarded by the family dog, Buddy.
He was born Nov. 1, 1929, in Crenshaw, Pa., to the late Frank Elias and Ethel (Johnson) Elias.
Mr. Elias was a graduate of Brockway High School. He earned his bachelor of science degree from Clarion University, then went on to earn his master's of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. He was a member of the baseball, football and basketball teams in high school and college.
Mr. Elias was a teacher in the Butler School District for 41 years, retiring on May 28, 1993. He owned the Elias Driver Training School for the past 60 years. It is estimated that he taught more than 20,000 residents how to drive. He enjoyed the interaction with his many students and colleagues over the years. He continued operating the driving school until his brief illness in February.
Mr. Elias was an Eagle Scout, a member of the St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, the Oakview Golf Club, the Elks Club and the Pennsylvania Association of Professional Driving Schools. He enjoyed spending the holidays, vacations and special occasions with his large and loving family. He enjoyed golf, Pirates baseball and the Sunday ritual of maintaining his cars with his trusted friend, Pat Mohn.
Mr. Elias is survived by his wife, Marian J. (Burton) Elias, who he married Aug. 8, 1953; three sons, Rick Elias and his wife, Carol, of Butler, Doug Elias and his wife, Jen, of Twinsburg, Ohio, and David Elias and his wife, Lori, of Bradford Woods, Pa.; two daughters, Kathy Rubin and her husband, Eddie, of Acton, Mass., and Terri Ronald and her husband, Carl, of Allison Park; 13 grandchildren, Logan and Chelsea Elias, Avery, Lucas and Brody Elias, Sam, Jack and Ben Rubin, Nathan, Maddie and Noah Elias and Abby and Zach Ronald; two sisters, Alma Capetta and Joyce Grecco, both of Brockway, Pa.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Donald Elias.
ELIAS — Friends of Herbert Edward “Herb” Elias, who passed away Monday, March 18, 2013, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler, PA.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, 1660 N. Main St. Ext., Butler, with Father James Salberg officiating. Entombment will take place in the Calvary Cemetery.If desired, memorial donations may be made to the St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, 1660 N. Main St. Ext., Butler, PA 16001 or to the Good Samaritan Hospice, 3400 Brooktree Road, Suite 320, Wexford, PA 15090.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.
