James C. Laws, 95, of Philipsburg died Friday, Sept. 5, 2014 at Windy Hill Village in Philipsburg.
Born Dec. 25, 1918, he was the son of the late James M. and Laura (Schiele) Laws. He married the former Margaret Jane “Peg” Dugan on Aug. 20, 1946 in Philipsburg; she preceded him in death on Jan. 22, 2012.
He was a member of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Philipsburg. He was also a member of Moshannon Lodge No. 391, Free & Accepted Masons; the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lewis Jenkins Post No. 3450; and the B.P.O. Elks No. 1173, all of Philipsburg.
Mr. Laws was a member of the Wood Duck Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Ruffed Grouse Society. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater as a staff sergeant in the field artillery.
Mr. Laws was an avid hunter and fisherman who spent many days with his daughter, son and friends.
He was a well-known saw sharpener for area residents after his retirement. He was employed with the U.S. Postal Service in Philipsburg until his retirement in 1974 and a 1935 graduate of the Philipsburg High School.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Myrtle Ball and an uncle, William C. Schiele. He was the last of his generation.
Mr. Laws is survived by a daughter, Jennifer R. Laws-Gilham and her husband, James “Lew” of Philipsburg; a son, James J. “Jeff” Laws and his wife, Susan of Dickerson, Md.; and two grandchildren, Kaitlin M and Michael J. Laws, both of Maryland.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the chapel at Windy Hill Village, 100 Dogwood Dr., Philipsburg, with the Rev. Dr. Mary Jo Bruinooge officiating. Burial will be at the Philipsburg Cemetery in Philipsburg.
Mr. Laws’ family will receive friends at the Windy Hill Village chapel from 12 p.m. Thursday until the time of the service.
Military honors will be accorded by members of the Moshannon Valley Independent Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley Voices Community Chorus, 236 Smith St., Philipsburg, PA 16866 or to the Ruffed Grouses Society, 451 McCormick Rd., Coraopolis, PA 15108.
Friends may sign the guestbook at: beezerheathfh.com.
