Donald L. Wirt
Donald L. Wirt, 87, of Marble, Clarion County, went to be with the Lord Tuesday night at Clarion Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Kaylor, Armstrong County, on Sept. 2, 1930. He was a son of the late Edward and Thelma Yough Wirt.
Mr. Wirt proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, retiring in 1970 with an honorable discharge and as a Boilerman Chief Petty Officer. He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and also two terms at the South Pole. He visited many countries in the eastern world during his 20 years of duty. Upon his retirement on November 16, 1970, he was presented a citation award from President Richard M. Nixon. He also earned various other ribbons and medals. Donald served on the USS Wood, which was the first ship to enter the Black Sea since World War II, and visited Russian ports.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 658 in Youngsville.
Donald attended the Clarion Church of the Nazarene.
He spent much time cleaning and polishing his 1929 Model A Ford. He took great pride in keeping his lawn well-manicured, enjoyed hunting with his son and grandsons, listening to gospel and country music, and traveling and camping with his family in his motor home. He enjoyed visiting at his daughter's homes to share home-cooked meals with his family. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.
In 1990, he retired from Penelec after working 20 years as a maintenance foreman.
He was married in Fairview on Feb. 4, 1953, to the former Devone Ferringer, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 11, 2015.
Surviving are two daughters, Penny Luvison and her husband, Matt, of Youngsville, and Darla King and her husband, John, of Spring Hope, N. C.; a son, Donald E. Wirt and his fiancée, Carol Craig, of Rimersburg along with her daughter, Ashley and her husband, Stephen, and their daughter, Dahlia; eight grandchildren, Autumn Camp and her husband, Greg, of Youngsville, Jenny Propheter and her husband, Steve, of Jamestown, N.Y., Ryan Wood of Lakewood, N.Y., Jeromie Fitzgerald of Spring Hope, Kelly Ayscue of Spring Hope, Carrie Jo Matthews and her husband, Lou, of Lititz, Donnie Wirt Jr. and his wife, Amy, of Homer City, and Josh Wirt and his wife, Katie, of Holidaysburg; two step-grandchildren, Dean and Nadine Westover of Youngsville; his great-grandchildren, Adison Bidwell and wife, Rachel, and their son, Vincent; Lilly Camp, Aden Clark, Ella and Owen Propheter, Haley and Makayla Ayscue, Jake and Lizzy Matthews, and Grace, Andrew, and Carter Wirt; and five step-great-grandchildren, Makaelyn Camp, and Kylie, Cameron, Josh and Leo Westover.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Wirt; a granddaughter, Nicole King; and step-grandson, Josh Luvison.
WIRT — Friends and family of Donald L. Wirt, who died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, will be received from noon until 2 p.m. Friday in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Route 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township.A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the funeral home with the Rev. William Shanor, officiating.Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry, where full military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard.Memorial contributions may be made to the Youngsville American Legion Post 658, 10 North Main St., Youngsville, PA 16371.Condolences to the family may be expressed online by visiting www.hilebest.com.
