Donald Checkan

Donald Charles Checkan, 67, formerly of Evans City, passed away peacefully Tuesday in the comfort of his home in Haines City, Fla., following a courageous battle with lung disease and cancer.

He was born May 11, 1945, in Butler, the son of Hazel (Yobst) Moyer and the late Charles Clarence Checkan.

Don was an avid sports enthusiast, especially when it came to his grandchildren’s sports teams and was very passionate about the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. He was very instrumental in many community sports groups and formed the Midget Football Program in Seneca. He and his friends had a vision and they worked to build the Wonderland Park baseball field for American Legion baseball. Don was an original founding member and past president of the Seneca Valley Quarterback Club. He was also the driving force behind getting the lights installed at the Raider Stadium for Friday night football.

Don was employed as a Pennsylvania State Police trooper from 1966 to 1984, and then began working as an investigator for Erie Insurance in Cranberry Township from 1984 until 2010 when he retired. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.) as well as the 957 Harmony Moose Lodge.

One of Don’s greatest accomplishments was playing an active role in the formation of the International Association of Special Investigation Units of Greater Pittsburgh (IASIU), where he became the group’s first president.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving wife of 49 years and 10 months, Barbara Joyce (Selle) Checkan; his sons, Donald E. Checkan and his wife, Bonnie, of Georgetown, Richard J. Checkan and his wife, Bonnie, of Cary, N.C., Jeffrey S. Checkan and his wife, Carey, of Renfrew and Joseph W. Checkan of Evans City; his sisters-in-law, Patti Scott of Evans City and Jackie Caito and her husband, Keith, of Munhall; his step-brother, Jimmy Piper of Virginia; his treasured grandchildren, Shane (Amy), Corey (Staci), Keith, Colin, Preston, Nick, Kaitlyn, Nadia, Wyatt, Tyler, Conner and Marissa; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his treasured cat, Jihadi.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, William Moyer, and his stepbrother, Eddie Piper.

CHECKAN — The family of Donald Charles Checkan, who passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2013, will welcome friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Boylan Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 116 E. Main St., Evans City, PA 16033 with the Rev. David Saylor as celebrant.A funeral ceremony will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at Butler County Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor in support of the American Lung Association, 810 River Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 or to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053.Expressions of sympathy may be shared with Don's family at www.boylanfuneralhome.com.