Fennell

Claire Marvin Fennell, 79, formerly of Butler, was taken into the arms of the Lord at 11:35 a.m. Tuesday at Good Samaritan Hospice at Concordia Lutheran Ministries of Cabot.

Born on March 13, 1935, in Butler, he was the son of the late Lank and Frieda Myers Fennell.

Claire was a Christian, attending various churches in the area.

Claire retired from the PARC Productions Sheltered Workshop. He received the ARC of Butler County Client Employee of the Year Award in 1992. He also received the ARC of Butler County Residential Award in 2004. Claire served on the Lifesteps Quality Enhancement Committee.

Claire lived in many places in his lifetime, including the Polk Residential Facility and various group homes and family living arrangements in Butler County. His final home was at Sugar Creek Rest in Worthington since June 25, 2005.

Claire will be remembered for his love of singing, playing slot machines, shredding paper, working puzzles, planting posies, fishing and boating, and traveling to Sea World, Oglebay and Kraynaks. He also loved the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Surviving are his Lifesteps Seniors in Transition companion, Dottie Jo Vogt of Butler, who he first met on Feb. 7, 1991, and Dottie's family who adopted him, Shirley (Joseph) McDonald of Las Vegas, Nev., Sheryl Vogt of Butler, Sandy Vogt of East Brady and Peggy Gamble of Blairsville, and their children, Dennis Davis, Dana Luketic, Shawn Wolfe, Allison Cedula, Danielle Watkins, Eric Gamble and Jonathon Peters. He also is survived by his special fishing buddy, Robert Simko of Springdale; his brother, Robert Fennell of Toledo, Ohio; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his four sisters and two brothers.

Claire was known as a sweet person with an outgoing personality and was commonly referred to as “Claire Bear” by his caregivers at Sugar Creek Rest.

Claire's family would like to express their sincere gratitude and thanks to all of the people who served as caregivers for Claire and made his life special: Lifesteps, Sugar Creek Rest, ABBA House, Butler Memorial Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospice, Sugar Creek and Butler Ambulance Service and BART. Mr. Fennell lived life fully and forever touched the lives of those who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Fennell— The friends of Claire Marvin Fennell, who passed away Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014, will be received from 3 p.m. until time of services at 5 p.m. Friday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler, with the Rev. Pete Sapp of the Trinity Reformed Church, East Brady, officiating. Private burial will take place in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Chicora.Memorials are suggested to Don't Stop Dreamin', 612 N. Main St., Butler, PA 16001 or online at www.DontStopDreamin.org.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.