Howard C. Batykefer, 88, of Mars died Monday evening at the St. John Specialty Care Center, Mars.

Born Dec. 27, 1916, in Franklin Township, he was the son of James and Anna Marie Richey Batykefer.

He was a member of the Mars Methodist Church.

Mr. Batykefer was a private first class in the Army during World War II and was a member of the VFW Post 7505 and the American Legion Post 0787, both of Mars.

He was an avid bowler and horseshoe pitcher. He belonged to the Thursday Night Men's League and the Senior Citizens Bowling League of Mars and pitched horseshoes for the Mars VFW.

He retired at age 65 from James McCosby as a mason carpenter.

Surviving are his wife, Edna May Poole Batykefer; a daughter, Mrs. Frederick (Linda) Griest of Mars; two sons, Ronald L. and Charles H. Batykefer, both of Mars; nine grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Four sisters, Mrs. Betty Weiss, Mrs. Robert (Ann) Genter, Mrs. Ester Calvas and Mrs. Bud (Wilma) Meinert, also survive.

Three sisters and seven brothers preceded him in death

BATYKEFER — Friends of Howard C. Batykefer, who died Monday, Dec. 12, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the A. CARL KINSEY-RONALD N. VOLZ FUNERAL HOME, 328 W. Main St., Evans City. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. Austin Hornyak, his church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Wexford.Memorial donations may be made to St. John Specialty Care Center, 500 Wittenberg Way, Mars, PA 16046.Information also available at www.kinsey-volzfuneralhome.com.