Donald Duane Everly
Donald Duane Everly, 88, of Chicora went to be with the Lord on Thursday while at UPMC Passavant Hospital.
He was born in Carnegie on Aug. 8, 1929, and was the son of the late Bernard C. and Anna T. (Young) Everly.
Don was a Methodist by faith.
As an avid fisherman, he spent many years salmon fishing in Michigan as well as saltwater fishing in Florida with his father, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Don was known as “the man who could fix anything” and he always had the right tool when you needed to borrow one.
His passions in life, along with fishing, were playing cards and board games, doing things with his family, hunting in Western Pennsylvania and the western United States, building any project his grandsons challenged him with, growing garlic, and running any type of heavy equipment he could get his hands on.
In his early years, he worked for Clair Steighner Crane Service, built many golf courses, helped build the Greater Pittsburgh Airport, as a runway cement finisher, and demolished countless buildings.
Donald served as a corporal in the U.S. Army under the U.S. occupation of Japan from 1946 until 1948. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and the VFW, a member of the Chicora Freemason's Argyle Lodge, and a member of the New Castle Consistory. He was a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66 for 66 years, as well as being an instructor in the union's apprenticeship-training program.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Phyllis M. (Ball); his son, Donald “Donnie” Everly Jr. of Ft. Myers, Fla.; his daughters, Darlene (Paul) Zarichnak of Butler, Michele Miller of Chicora; his loving nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Richard Everly and Rodney Everly; his brother, Clyde Everly; and his sisters, Velma (Jean) Cochran and Joann Everly.
EVERLY — Friends of Donald Duane Everly, who died Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, will be received from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler. A blessing service will follow at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Richard Thompson, officiating.Officers and members of the American Legion Post 117 of Butler, American Legion Post 778 of Lyndora, and the VFW Post 249 of Butler, will conduct military honors at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Wreaths Across America, American Legion Post 243, 1431 West Sunbury Road, West Sunbury, PA 16061.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.
