Byron “Barney” Wingard, 92, of Grampian died Friday Oct. 5, 2012 at the Clearfield Hospital.
Born April 10, 1920 in Glen Richey, he was the son of Paul and Ethel (Rowles) Wingard. Mr. Wingard had worked for Ashley Carns Contracting and retired from there after 30-plus years of service.
He was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Grampian, the Grampian American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the World War II and served with the 235th Combat Engineers Battalion and received two Purple Hearts. He received one with an Oak Cluster for wounds received in battle. His battle campaigns were Naples, Foggia, Rome, Arno and ribbons were European, African and a Middle Eastern with two bronze battle stars and a good conduct medal.
On Dec. 18, 1944 at the Curwensville United Methodist Church, he wed the former Mary Almeda Taylor, who survives along with five children, Joyce Essex and her husband, Max of Byrdstown, TN; Ret Col. Karen Wingard of Grampian; JoEllen Bloom of Curwensville; James Earl Wingard and his wife, Carol of Aliquippa; and Mary Kay Hall and her husband, Joseph E. of Clearfield.
Also surviving are four grandchildren, Jody Lynn (Serena) Kipsoi and her husband, William of Cleveland, Paul T. Serena Jr. and his wife, Jamie of Clearfield, Ryan J. Hall of Mechanicsburg and Nicole Leigh Wingard of Aliquippa; one step-grandson Jeff Essex of Phoenix, AZ; three great-granddaughters Caitlyn, Meghan and Olivia Serena of Clearfield; four step great-grandchildren; three step-great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Margaret Wingard of Curwensville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a great-granddaughter, Brooke Serena; a step-granddaughter, Julie Essex; a son-in-law, Richard Bloom, three sisters, Dole Levine, Alma Geddes, and Sarah Harman and two brothers Mervin and Lowery Wingard. He was the last member of his generation.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home Inc. of Curwensville with the Rev. Emmett Anderson officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Curwensville.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Monday and from 10 a.m. until time of services Tuesday at the funeral home.
Military honors will be accorded at the graveside by members of the Clearfield Honor Guard.
The family suggests contributions be made to either the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Sixth Street Grampian, PA 16838; The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517,
Topeka, KS 66675; the Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20850; or Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, 889 Farren Surrena Rd., Harrisville, PA 16038.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chidboyfuneralhome.com.
The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home Inc. of Curwensville is in charge of the arrangements.