Donald L. Wirt, 87, of Marble, went to be with the Lord Tuesday night, December 19, 2017 at Clarion Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. 

                He was born in Kaylor, Armstrong County on September 2, 1930 to the late Edward and Thelma Yough Wirt. 

                Mr. Wirt proudly served in the U.S. Navy for twenty years, retiring in 1970 with an honorable discharge and as a Boilerman Chief Petty Officer.  He served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and also two terms at the South Pole; he visited many countries in the eastern world during his 20 years of duty.  Upon his retirement on November 16, 1970, he was presented a citation award from President Richard M. Nixon.  He also earned various other ribbons and medals.  Donald served on the USS Wood, which was the first ship to enter the Black Sea since World War II and visit Russian ports. 

                He was a member of the American Legion Post 658 in Youngsville. 

                Donald attended the Clarion Church of the Nazarene. 

                He spent much time cleaning and polishing his 1929 Model A Ford.  He took great pride in keeping his lawn well manicured; enjoyed hunting with his son and grandsons, listening to gospel and country music, and traveling and camping with his family in his motor home. He enjoyed visiting at his daughter's homes to share home cooked meals with his family; he loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. 

                In 1990 he retired from Penelec after working 20 years as a maintenance foreman. 

                He was married in Fairview on February 4, 1953 to the former Devone Ferringer, and she preceded him in death on November 11, 2015.

                Surviving are two daughters, Penny Luvison and her husband Matt of Youngsville, and Darla King and her husband John of Spring Hope, North Carolina; a son, Donald E. Wirt and his fiancé Carol Craig of Rimersburg along with her daughter Ashley and husband Stephen and their daughter Dahlia; eight grandchildren:  Autumn Camp and husband Greg of Youngsville, Jenny Propheter and husband Steve of Jamestown, New York, Ryan Wood of Lakewood, New York, Jeromie Fitzgerald of Spring Hope, Kelly Ayscue of Spring Hope, Carrie Jo Matthews and husband Lou of Lititz, Donnie Wirt, Jr. and wife Amy of Homer City, and Josh Wirt and wife Katie of Holidaysburg; two step-grandchildren, Dean and Nadine Westover of Youngsville; his great-grandchildren:  Adison Bidwell and wife Rachel and their son, Vincent; Lilly Camp, Aden Clark, Ella and Owen Propheter, Haley and Makayla Ayscue, Jake and Lizzy Matthews, and Grace, Andrew, and Carter Wirt; and five step-great-grandchildren: Makaelyn Camp, and Kylie, Cameron, Josh, and Leo Westover.

                In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Wirt; a granddaughter, Nicole King; and step-grandson, Josh Luvison. 

                Friends and family will be received Friday (Dec. 22nd) from noon until 2 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township.  A funeral service will follow in the funeral home Friday at 2 p.m.  with Rev. William Shanor, officiating.  Interment will follow in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry, where full military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. 

                Memorial contributions may be made to the Youngsville American Legion Post 658, 10 North Main St., Youngsville, PA  16371.

                Condolences to the family may be expressed online by visiting www.hilebest.com

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