Joseph “The Egg Man” R. Klabnik

June 15, 2017 Last Updated: June 15, 2017 12:00 PM Death Notice

Joseph “The Egg Man” R. Klabnik, 89, formerly of Sarver, passed away Friday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

He was born Sept. 15, 1927, in Tarentum, son of the late John V. and Mary Gajdos Klabnik.

Joseph served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during World War II, helping to train new recruits. Along with his wife, Dolores “Jean” Jeanne Smith Klabnik, they ran a poultry farm in Sarver, and he did home delivery of eggs for many years throughout the area.

Later, he became a welder and inspector for many years at Pullman Standard in Butler. He also drove a school bus for Roenigk.

Joseph was a member of St. Anthony's in Tionesta. He enjoyed fishing, camping and traveling when he could. Joseph enjoyed wine-making as the proprietor of “Old Man Winery.” He was an excellent cook and enjoyed making Slovak specialties! He enjoyed music and singing, and was a member of St. Clement's, Tarentum, choir for many, many years, starting as a school boy in St. Clement's school up until the church closed. He was a devout Catholic, always willing to help when help was needed, dealing with whatever life handed him with dignity and strength.

Survivors include his children, Patty (Patrick) Harrell of Parker, Susan (Dr. James) Miller of Suffolk, Va., Joseph Gary (Suzanne) of North Carolina, Carol Jean (Buzz) Ferlan of Sarver and Mary Ellen Lentz of Avonmore; 13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are his brother, Adam (Jean) Klabnik of New York; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Dolores J. Smith Klabnik in 2005; three daughters, Joan Klabnik, Dolores Marie Klabnik and Catherine Jean Kutsch; four sisters, Mary Slavkovsky, Julianna Rapsinski, and Anna and Clotilda Klabnik, both in infancy; and four brothers, Ambrose, John, Raymond and Anthony “Tony” Klabnik.

KLABNIK — Family and friends of Joseph “The Egg Man” R. Klabnik, who died Friday, May 12, 2017, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Duster Funeral Home, 347 E. 10th Ave., Tarentum. A Christian funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church in Russellton with the Rev. James P. Holland officiating.Everyone is asked to please meet at church.Burial will be at the Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to local the Knights of Columbus or local food bank.For more information, visit dusterfuneralhomeinc.com.