Neff

James Edward Neff, 81, of Bonniebrook Road died Saturday evening at the Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born in Donegal Township, Aug. 10, 1926, he was the son of Frank P. Neff and Mary Margaret O'Donnell Neff Geibel.

He retired in 1988 from the security department at Armco-Butler Works after 42 years. In 1990, he opened Neff's Country Store on Bonniebrook Road; and the business is still being operated by his family.

Mr. Neff was a member of St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church in Carbon Center, the St. Wendelin Council of the Knights of Columbus and had been a member of their former Holy Name Society.

He was also a life member of the East Butler Fireman's Club, the Happy Hunters Sportsman's Club in Fenelton and the Chicora Moose Lodge. He also had been a life member of American Legion Post 117 and VFW Post 249, both in Butler.

He enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family, especially at his camp in Kushequa, McKean County. He also enjoyed visiting with friends and customers at his store.

During World War II, he served with the Army's 10th Mountain Division in Italy.

He is survived by his wife, Madeline "Sis" Weiland Neff, whom he married May 21, 1947; five sons and two daughters-in-law, Larry E. and Kay, Neff, Gary L. and Nancy, Neff and Francis "Fritz," Douglas and John Neff, all of Butler; two daughters, Carol Neff Rottman and Connie Severino, both of Butler; and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Jared Neff and his wife, Tracey, of New Kensington and their two children, Ashley and Ryan; Michelle Zandarski and her husband, Joe, of Etters, York County; Capt. Brian Neff and his wife, Angela, of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; Angela Neff of Wexford; Amy Neff and Dustin Neff, both of Butler; Todd Graham and his wife, Emily, of Natrona Heights; and Carrie Graham of Butler. Two sisters, Grace Sechler of Butler and Shirley Craig, and her husband, Eugene, of Chicora also survive.

<B>NEFF</B> — Friends of J. Edward Neff, who died Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon Tuesday at St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, 210 St. Wendelin Road, Carbon Center. The Rev. Kevin McKnight will officiate. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.Members of the Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 8:30 p.m. today at the funeral home.Military honors will be accorded by the Ceremonial Honors Squad of VFW Post 249 following the church service.Memorial donations may be made to the St. Wendelin Catholic School, 210 St. Wendelin Road, Butler, PA 16002.Additional information may be found and condolence messages placed at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.