On Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, Dylan Russell Ludwig of Houtzdale departed after 21 years of an exceptional life.
On Jan. 23, 1994, Lisa Lutz Ludwig and Daniel Ludwig Jr. were granted the most incredible gift in the form of their first born child. Beloved by all, he remained a special gift for every day he lived on this earth.
He honored and cherished his family above all else. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his loving friends; hunting, fishing and riding his Maverick. A talented athlete, he was a force to be reckoned with on the football field and on the wrestling mat, placing in the top 12 in the PIAA State Championship in 2012.
Upon his graduation from Moshannon Valley High School, he was employed by StingRay Pressure Pumping in St. Clairsville, Ohio as an equipment operator. When his illness affected his ability to work he pursued his education. This past May, he earned his Associate’s Degree in criminal justice from Lock Haven University.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, best friend and teammate Jacob Ludwig; his brother and little buddy, Cole Tekely; his paternal siblings, Ryan and Mya Ludwig and Nick Purvis; his step-father, Tim Tekely and his children, Devin, Lila and Josie Tekely; and his step-mother, Morgan Ludwig.
He is also survived by his grandparents, Carl Lutz of Houtzdale and Dan and Kay Ludwig of Philipsburg.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Anna Lutz and paternal grandmother, Sharon Ludwig.
He was loved by his devoted aunts, uncles and cousins and shared countless precious moments with his first and truest love, Sara Rae Holden.
We hope his memory will live within the hearts of all who loved him. May he be remembered by his qualities of courage, strength and perseverance that were the foundation on which he built his life. He was a common man, with an uncommon desire to succeed and go above and beyond in everything he did.
While his passing is a great loss for us here on earth, it is an even greater gain to the Kingdom of Heaven.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Christ the King Catholic Church, Houtzdale, with Father Marc Solomon as celebrant.
Burial will follow in the St Lawrence Cemetery.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. on both Wednesday and Thursday at the Birger A. Freeberg Funeral Home Inc., Houtzdale.
A Vigil Prayer service will be led by Father Solomon at 3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Donations can be made to the Dylan Ludwig Sports Scholarship, which will soon be established.
Online condolences may be made to the family at birgerafreebergfuneralhome.com.
