Lewis S. "Cat" Sleigher, 87, of Clarington, Forest County, formerly of East Butler, died Wednesday at Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Born Dec. 31, 1918, in East Butler, he was a son of Francis Sleigher and Edna Eyth Sleigher Kabel.

He retired in 1982 as a machinist at International Staple & Machine Co. after 20 years. He served as president of the United Steelworkers Union Local at International Staple during the 1960s and 1970s.

Mr. Sleigher was a World War II Army veteran.

He was a member of St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church in Carbon Center. He was a life member of East Butler Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Italian Club and French and Belgium Club in Butler.

Surviving are four sons, Louis "Butch" Sleigher of Dallas, Texas, Joseph A. Sleigher of Clarington and Philip D. and Michael Sleigher, both of East Butler; two daughters, Sister Stella Maria, S.C.M.C., formerly Kathleen Sleigher, of Baltic, Conn., and Joanne Halahan of Antioch, Calif.; a stepson, Jerry Philips of Arlington, Va.; a stepdaughter, Sharon Correa of Vero Beach, Fla.; a brother, Joseph Sleigher of Virginia; and a sister: Izabelle Fair of Butler.

Also surviving are 19 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

His wife, Eva M. Moniot Sleigher, died Nov. 11, 1998. His first wife, Dorothy McClain Sleigher, died in 1980. A son, stepdaughter, two brothers, half-sister and great-grandson preceded him in death.

<B>SLEIGHER</B> — Friends of Lewis S. "Cat" Sleigher, who died Wednesday, June 21, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, Carbon Center, with the Rev. Kevin McKnight officiating. Burial will follow in St. Wendelin Cemetery.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.