James D. Mohney, 92, of Clearfield died on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017 at his home.
He was born March 1, 1925, a son of the late Donald L. and Gertrude (Burchfield) Mohney.
Mr. Mohney began his teaching career at Tyrone High School, where he also served as the wrestling coach. After nine years, he moved to Long Branch, NJ where he taught for 19 years.
At Long Branch, he started the wrestling program, and he was admitted into the NJ Shore Conference Coaching Hall of Fame.
Mr. Mohney then moved back to Clearfield and was a teacher and became vice principal at the Clearfield High School until his retirement in 1987.
Mr. Mohney had many accomplishments with his involvement in wrestling. He was twice named a state champion in high school wrestling at Clearfield High School.
He was also an Allegany Senior and Junior AAU Champ along with becoming an EIWA Champ while wrestling for Penn State.
Mr. Mohney was admitted to the Clearfield Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, along with being a member of the Pennsylvania Coaching Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania District 9 Coaching Hall of Fame, Tyrone Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Penn State University Hall of Fame.
Mr. Mohney not only coached wrestling, but was also an official for 25 years on both the high school and collegiate levels.
He was a member of the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6 and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks No. 540.
Mr. Mohney served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, completing 35 combat missions in the South Pacific as an engineer gunner.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Lou (Burgess) Mohney, to whom he was wed Oct. 8, 1949.
He is survived by four children, James L. Mohney and his wife, Doreen of Lewes, Del., Gary V. Mohney and his wife, Belinda of Montgomery, Ala., Cindy L. Mohney of Bellefonte and Paula J. Kontier and her husband, John of Centre Hall.
He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; a brother, Thomas Mohney of Clearfield; and a sister, Betty Fargo of Clearfield.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Jack ‘John Pinrose,’ William ‘Bill,” Robert ‘Bob,’ and Richard ‘Dick’ Mohney and three sisters, Edith Felt, Margaret Valimont and Mary Jane Smith.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield, with Mr. Gary V. Mohney, son, officiating.
Burial will be in the Crown Crest Memorial Park, Hyde, at a later date, to be determined by the immediate family.
Military honors will be accorded at the funeral home by the Honor Guard detail from Andrews Air Force Base.
Friends will be received from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Clearfield Wrestling Club, P.O. Box 30, Clearfield, PA 16830.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.