Fennell

Gary L. Fennell, 80, of Chicora, went peacefully to be with the Lord while surrounded by his loving family Friday evening, April 17, 2026, at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Gary was born in Butler on Dec. 1, 1945. He was the son of the late Williard “Pete” and Rose Hickey Fennell.

Gary was a 1964 graduate of Fairview Township-Karns City High School. He served with distinction in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Gary was a highly decorated U.S. Marine medic in Vietnam and was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal awarded for valor, the Navy/Marine Commendation Medal awarded for valor, a Combat Action Medal awarded for valor, the Vietnam Service and Campaign medals and the National Defense Medal. He retired in 2002, following more than 32 years of service with INDSPEC, in Petrolia. Gary was a long time member of the Chicora Moose Lodge.

In his early years, Gary played softball and played with several leagues until the age of 50. He was an avid and skilled golfer, having made a hole-in-one at the Foxburg Country Club in 2008. He was a loyal Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins fan, and enjoyed telling jokes, the company of his family and friends and his faithful companion, his Shih Tzu, Boo-Boo. Gary looked forward to watching his favorite movie, “A Christmas Story.”

He is survived by two daughters, Rhonda L. Roudebush and her husband, John, of Newell, W.Va., and Erica L. Fennell (Mike Brennenman), of Chicora. Gary was affectionately “Grandpa” to his three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Nicole Rockwell, of Chester, W.Va., Michael Angert, of Nashville, Tenn., Colby Blystone and his fiancée, Melinda Mays, of Chester, W.Va., and Ariana, Hailee and Kaizlee Rockwell; two sisters, Deborah R. Berteotti and her husband, Bernard, of Karns City, and Lorrie L. Foley, of Fredericksburg, Va.; a sister-in-law, Darla Fennell, of Chicora; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Fennell and M.J. “Toby” Fennell and his wife, Patricia; a brother-in-law, J. Kevin Foley; and the mother of his children, E. Diane Hillwig Fennell.

FENNELL — Friends of Gary L. Fennell, who died Friday, April 17, 2026, will be received from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at HILE FUNERAL HOME OF CHICORA, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora.

Members of the Chicora Moose Lodge will conduct a memorial service for their departed brother at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, 410 Main St., Chicora, with the Rev. Alan Morris Sr., parochial vicar, St. Clare of Assisi Parish, officiating.

Military honors accorded by members of the Chicora and Bradys Bend American Legion posts will take place after Mass Wednesday at Mater Dolorosa.

Interment will be at St. John Reformed Church Cemetery, Chicora.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chicora Fire Department, P.O. Box F, Chicora, PA 16025.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.