William M. Berendt Jr. 80

William M. Berendt Jr, 80, of Ellport died on Friday, January 3, 2014 at the Ellwood City Hospital.

Born September 26, 1933 in Ellwood City he was the son of the late William G. and Margaret K. Miller Berendt. He was married for 51 years to Elsie L. Paul Berendt who passed away February 19, 2008.

Bill drove truck for Lance Corporation and school bus for Hessler’s at Riverside Beaver County School District. He retired from the Ellwood City Forge where he worked as a lathe operator and burnell tester. He was a 1951 graduate of Lincoln High School and was the chairman of their reunion committee. A veteran of the Army, he served in Korea from 1955-1958 as a Staff Sergeant. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he was secretary and president of church council. Bill bowled in the Ellwood City Industrial League for the Forge, and golfed in the Ellwood City Saxon league, where he also was a member. Bill traveled and spent his winters in Florida. He was a John Wayne enthusiast and also enjoyed Big Band Music.

Survivors include two sons and a daugher in law, Jeffrey and Betsy Berendt, Brian Berendt; a daughter, Paula Keitzer, all of Ellwood City; a brother, Edward (Judy) Berendt of Ellwood City ; a sister, Catherine “Babe” Chappelle of Ellwood City; four grandchildren, Todd, Veronica, Baylee, and Conner Berendt and a special friend Phyllis Kasper.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Sharon Lynn Berendt and Dawna Kay Berendt,

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday January 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Marshall Funeral Home 200 Fountain Ave. Ellwood City.

Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 11 a.m. with Robert Niggel and Carol Fleeger officiating..

Interment will follow in the Locust Grove Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.

Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com.