Neff

Harry A. Neff, 86, of Chicora died Monday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born Jan. 25, 1925, on his family's farm in Chicora, he was a son of the late Charles E. and Regina P. (Ritzert) Neff.

He had worked as a chemist in the metallurgical department of the Armco Steel plant in Butler for more than 40 years until his retirement.

Harry was a member of the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in North Oakland; was inducted into the Pennsylvania Voters Hall of Fame by Gov. Tom Ridge for voting in every election for 50 years; was a member of the Armco Veterans Club, the Disabled American Veterans and the Dierken-Ritzert Chicora American Legion Post, which was named after his uncle, Charles Ritzert, who was killed in World War I; and was a life member of the VFW in Chicora.

A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart and was in the Battle of the Bulge. He also in the crossing of the bridge at Remagen.

Surviving are his brothers, Anthony J. Neff and his wife, Roberta, Paul A. Neff and William Neff and his wife, Diane, all of Chicora, and John Neff, and his wife, Bonnie, of Fenelton; a sister, Marcella Desmond and her husband, Ray, of Butler; and 35 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Josephine Neff, Clara Marie Neff and Mary Elizabeth Mulligan; seven brothers, Richard, Elmer, George, Stephen, David, Morris and Joseph Neff; a niece; and five nephews.

<B>NEFF</B> — Friends of Harry A. Neff, who died Monday, July 4, 2011, will be received at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at the St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, Carbon Center. His nephew, the Rev. Steven V. Neff, pastor, will officiate. Internment will follow on St. Joseph Cemetery, North Oakland.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.