James Meissner Sr.
James J. Meissner Sr., of Herman, died peacefully while surrounded by his family Friday, July 2, 2021, just one day after he had celebrated his 83rd birthday.
Born July 1, 1938, in Conneautville, Pa., he was a son of the late George R. and Gertrude Rohsner Meissner.
Jim graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in secondary education in mathematics. He also played on the college’s basketball team.
He first taught at Butler High School before becoming a math teacher at Saint Fidelis Seminary in Herman, where he was the first non-clergy teacher on staff. He also coached basketball, tennis and soccer at St. Fidelis from 1963 until 1980. This year marks the 50th anniversary of St. Fidelis winning the Pa. State Basketball Championship in 1971.
After the seminary closed, Jim taught at Slippery Rock University and then Butler County Community College until he retired.
Jim was well-known as a teacher, coach, mentor and community leader. He was very active in his home parish, and he also served for many years on the board for Summit Township Parks and Recreation.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Mary Kathleen “Kathy” Moran Meissner; his children, James J. Meissner Jr.; Christine Herbstritt and her husband, Jim, and their daughters, Kathleen, Molly and Megan; Patricia Fair and her children, Jonathan Fair, Katrine Fair and Emmie Fair; and Stephen Putney Jr. and his wife, Kristen, and their children, Liam and Rylee; and one daughter-in-law, Bernice Meissner, and her children, Tiffany, Raymond and Damian.
Also surviving are his siblings, Dot Wallace, Betty Baran, Jan Lilly, and Jack Meissner.
He was preceded in death by one son, Richard Meissner; his parents, George and Gertrude Meissner; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Eleanor Moran; as well as four siblings and several in-laws.
Meissner Sr. — Friends of James J. Meissner Sr., who died Friday, July 2, 2021, will be received from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Friday at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Saint Mary of the Assumption Church, 821 Herman Road, Butler.
For those unable to attend, Mass will be livestreamed at www.hvproductions.net/live
Inurnment will follow in Saint Mary of the Assumption Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations to Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Augustine, 220 37th St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201 (www.capuchin.com)
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of Martin Funeral Home, 429 Center Ave., Butler.
For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.
