May

Richard L. "Dick" May, 79, of Airport Road, Butler, died at 4:07 p.m. Monday in West Penn Hospital.

Born Aug. 28, 1929, in Butler, he was the son of the late Norman L. May and the late Hazel Emerick May Trader. Richard was also the stepson of Harvey C. Trader, who was his inspiration in life and in business.

Mr. May and his wife, Joy, owned May's Music Shoppe.

He was a member of the Butler County Airport Authority for 42 years, the Butler County Historical Society, a life member of the Penn Township Fire Department, a leader of the Boy Scouts, a charter and life member of the Musical Theater Guild, a member of the Penn Township Veteran's Association, and chairman of the Butler County Bicentennial Committee in 2000.

Mr. May was an avid airplane enthusiast; he enjoyed his 1923 Model T and his 1929 Austin. He was a model airplane and antique fire truck builder and was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and Vintage Aircraft Association. Mr. May enjoyed repairing violins and guitars, traveling to Oshkosh, Wis., every year for the air show and was a first class storyteller.

Mr. May is survived by his wife, Joy Ritson May, whom he married Feb. 14, 1953; five sons, Norman May and Melody (McGowan) May, David and Leslie May, Charles and Susie (Crede) May, Paul and Angie May, Joshua and Tammy May; a daughter, Jeanne and her husband, Doug, Lefever; 11 grandchildren, Emily Lefever (Mike) Powell, Becky Lefever (Tate Pacek), Molly Lefever (John Anglum), Cory Lefever, Jacob May, Jason Zang, Carrie Birckbigler, Paul May, Carleigh May, Mitchell May, and Grant May; four and a half great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mr. May was preceded in death by a brother, John May, and a sister, Nancy Bryan.

<B>MAY</B>— Friends of Richard L. "Dick" May, who died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St.Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Rev. David Brewer of Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will follow in Brownsdale Cemetery.Contributions may be made to the Butler County Historical Society, 123 W. Diamond St., Butler, PA 16001.Information and a private guest book is available at www.thompson-miller.com.