Alvin “Whitey” D. Fulcomer
Alvin “Whitey” D. Fulcomer, 92, of Zelienople passed away Sunday at the Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford.
He was born Aug. 17, 1924, in Robinson to Grace Lichtenfels Zeigler. He moved to the Lutheran Children's Home in Zelienople as a young child and held many fond memories of childhood growing up at “The Home;” working on their farm and attending Zelienople High School, where he graduated in 1942.
Mr. Fulcomer enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served in the Pacific Theater as a pharmacist's mate aboard the U.S.S. Highlands, APA 119. He participated in several invasions, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was aboard the Highlands in Tokyo Bay when the surrender papers were signed. He also served in the Korean War years later.
On Feb. 1, 1946, he married the love of his life, Wanda “Betty” Elizabeth Lintz and began working at Markel's Garage. He went on to work for Zeigler Motors and retired as parts manager from Kenny Ross in 1989.
Mr. Fulcomer became an active member of the English Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school to many generations of kids from 1948 to 2005, served on the church council and worked as a greeter. He was a member of the local American Legion Post 474 for 71 years and was a former member of the North Hills Sportsmens Club. He was active in AARP and Keenagers of Portersville. He attended many high school reunions and reunions with his World War II shipmates.
He had a deep and life-long love of sports and was a regular in the stands of many Seneca Valley sporting events over the years. He held season tickets for the Pittsburgh Steelers long before there was a Three Rivers Stadium.
In retirement, Mr. Fulcomer kept active by traveling with Betty on many vacations, including overseas. He could be seen walking daily throughout Zelienople and also exercising in “silver sneakers” at the Passavant Retirement Community.
As someone said recently, you couldn't see Whitey and still have a bad day; he was always smiling with a positive attitude. He didn't meet anyone he didn't like, and everyone he met liked him instantly.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his son, Kevin S. Fulcomer of Pleasant Gap, Pa.; and his stepsister, Betty Bartley of Hopewell Township.
In addition to his mother and wife, Whitey was preceded in death by his son, Lawrence “Bud” Fulcomer, who died Oct. 1, 1985; his stepfather, Walter Zeigler; and his stepbrothers, Russell and Harold Zeigler.
FULCOMER — Friends of Alvin “Whitey” D. Fulcomer, who died Sunday, May 21, 2017, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Boylan Funeral Home, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.A funeral ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the English Lutheran Church, 200 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople. He will be laid to rest at the English Lutheran Church Cemetery.In Whitey's honor, please make a donation by sending it to the English Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, or to the Good Samaritan Hospice, 146 Neely School Road, Wexford, PA 15090, or take time to attend a Seneca Valley sporting event.Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.
