Walter Merle Harr Sr.

Walter Merle Harr Sr.

Alum Bank

On the morning of Apr 14, 2021, Walter Merle Harr Sr. died at the age of 93.

Walter was born to Essington & Cora (Allison) Harr on Aug 26, 1927 in Johnstown, PA.  Walter was a long time resident of Lovely where he met his wife, Grace Velma Allison.  They married on Aug 30, 1947 and raised 2 sons and 7 daughters.

Walter is survived by the following children:  Walter Harr Jr (Lillie), Dorothy College, Barb Allison, Velma Ickes (Nevin), Gail Harr, Richard Harr, Sheila Harr (Dan) and Lisa Hill (Jeff); and the following grandchildren:  Allen Harr (Chris), Evelyn Ramsey (Tim), Matt Harr (Susan), Roy Wiseman, Rex Wiseman, Leslie Falter, Darren Scott, Angela Claar, Chad Leppert (Wendy), Carissa Stultz (Matt), Felicia Larson (Keith), Troy Allison (Alicia), Rochelle Allison (Walter), Andrew Burtner (Meghan), Kelsey Foster (Kyle) and Robert Ickes (Billie), and 11 great grandchildren.   Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; daughter Beverly Clark; son in-law Dean Allison; brother Harry Harr; and sisters Dorothy Diehl and Ruth Claycomb.

Walter loved Christ.  He was a member of the Mount Union United Methodist Church in Lovely and later a member of the Chestnut Ridge Independent Fellowship Church in Fishertown.

Walter was a Private First Class, Medical Aidman (MOS 657) at 118th Station Hospital, Army of the United States, during World War II.  He was inducted on Jan 10, 1946 and was honorable discharged on Apr 17, 1947.

Walter loved the outdoors, watching birds/critters, building things, fishing, hunting, riding his motorcycle, boating, four wheeling, and driving his tractors.  He was a jack of all trades and could fix just about anything.  We all have fond memories of cutting wood, camping and working together to complete a project “up home” with him.

Walter worked hard providing for his family working in the coal mines, as a drywall finisher in VA, sawmill worker, coal mine prop cutter and as a custodian at Chestnut Ridge School.  Walter loved all his children and grandchildren.  He always said he would never give them up (meaning his current dog Monty and his cat Kitty Kat) and then he would add “or his kids.”

Viewing and services will occur on Saturday, Apr 17, 2021 at Blackburn Funeral Home, 4305 Quaker Valley Road, Alum Bank, PA.  Viewing will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with services starting at 1:00 pm, with Pastor Eric Larson officiating, the grave site service will follow immediate at Mt. Union United Methodist Church Cemetery, 2170 Spruce Hollow Road, Alum Bank, PA.

Military Rites accorded by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association at https://www.diabetes.org/donate/donate-memorial.

Those in attendance are asked to observe the recommendations pertaining to wearing masks and social distancing.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.jedwardblackburnfh.com.

Arrangements by the J. Edward Blackburn Funeral Home.

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