Berdy

Bruce Alan Burkholder Berdy, 63, of Butler died April 20 at UPMC Montefiore, Pittsburgh.

Born Nov. 8, 1946, in Butler, Bruce was the son of the late John J. and Grace Eleanor Burkholder Berdy.

Bruce was a graduate of Butler High School and Butler County Community College majoring in architectural design. His career with various companies involved designing industrial and municipal and medical facilities. Later Bruce accepted employment with the VA Butler Healthcare as a project engineer where he retired in June 2009.

Bruce served his country proudly in the U.S. Army as a decorated and wounded Vietnam War and Southeast Asia veteran receiving the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was a member of the local Butler American Legion.

He is survived by two brothers, J. Stephen Berdy and his wife, Lilene, of Newark, N.Y., and James E. Berdy and his wife, Deidre, of Sevierville, Tenn.; a nephew, L. Stephen Berdy and his wife, Candie, a great-niece, Miranda, a great-nephew, Aidan, of Victor, N.Y.; and a niece, Lanalee Buziak and her husband, Jeff, of Fredericksburg, Va. Also surviving are longtime close friends Kiyoko Riott and Christopher Savage, both of Butler.

Bruce loved classic and muscle cars, displaying his vehicle in many local events along with his love for the history of the American railroad system. He was an avid collector of model cars and trains along with mementos of the Vietnam War era.

Anyone whose path crossed his life would find his humor and compassion enriching their life as well. He always left them laughing.

<B>BERDY</B> — Visitation for Bruce Alan Burkholder Berdy, who died Tuesday, April 20, 2010, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home </B>with a service at 4 p.m. with his cousin, the Rev. Larry Burkholder of Faith Independent Baptist Church of Frostburg, Md., officiating. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery Washington, D.C.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, 138 E. Jefferson St., Butler, PA 16001.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.