Eli Finney, 78, of Houtzdale was called unto eternal glory Monday to receive the ultimate promise of meeting his Savior face-to-face.
His faith in God and love of his family and friends inspired Mr. Finney throughout his brave battle with cancer. He was truly an inspiring testimony to all who met him.
Mr. Finney loved his family most and was a loving husband and father. His wife, Elaine of 53 years on June 21 survives along with five beloved children, and their spouses and precious grandchildren.
He’s leaving a good name and spiritual legacy to his children and grandchildren, including a son, Terry and his wife, Joan and a daughter, Michelle and her husband, Robert Moyer, all of Houtzdale; a son, Eli and his wife, Tammy of Falls Creek; and a daughter, Nancy and her husband, Dewaine Kephart and a son, David and his wife, Joy, all of Ashland.
Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Sheena Lee and her husband, James; Isaac Finney; Dustin and Chessa Moyer; Curtis and Trey Finney; Taylor Kephart; Noah, Hannah and Daniel Finney; and three great-grandchildren, Nathan and Ainslee Finney and Baby Lee.
Mr. Finney was known by friends and family as a man of integrity and of genuine faith. He was a Sunday school teacher for the adult bible class at Brisbin Baptist Church, where he loved expounding God’s word. He held many different teaching positions, in addition to being a song leader and soloist in area churches.
He also served as the president of Brisbin Borough and was a member of council for many years. He was the owner of E. Finney Welding and also worked for Al Hamilton Contracting, the Avery Coal Co., and the Sky Haven Coal Co. Plus, he was a heavy equipment operator.
After retiring, he was a school bus driver for Fullington School Bus LLC in Moshannon Valley. He was also a Korean War veteran and loved hunting and fishing with his sons.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eli and Mary O. Finney; two brothers, Leonard and George Finney; and a father-in-law, Harold Lobb.
Mr. Finney is survived by a sister, Mary Prato of Detroit, MI; a sister-in-law, Velma Finney of Osceola Mills; a sister- and brother-in-law, Kay and David Churner of Brisbin; and most of all, a mother-in-law, Louise Lobb, 98, of Brisbin.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Friday at the Birger A. Freeberg Funeral Home Inc., Houtzdale, and from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday at the Brisbin Baptist Church, which will be followed by a musical celebration of his life with Pastor Mark Melhom officiating. We want to honor the one we all love and will miss until we are reunited in Eternity.