Howard W. Gradl, Sr., 91, a resident of Pinecrest Manor, and formerly of 711 Evergreen Road, St. Marys, passed away Monday, November 27, 2017, Pinecrest Manor, after a brief illness.
He was born August 20, 1926, in St. Marys, son of the late George and Mary Caskey Gradl. He was a lifelong resident of the area and attended St. Marys Schools. He was a retired employee of the Keystone Carbon Company, retiring in 1988, after 44 years of service.
On December 4, 1954, in St. Marys, Howard married Phyllis M. Bryndel, who survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Diane Johnson and her husband Neil of Dundee, NY; four sons, Ronald Gradl and his wife Susan of St. Marys, David Gradl and his wife Missy of Weedville, James Gradl and his wife Debbie of St. Marys, and Howard “Zig” Gradl, Jr. and his wife Wendy of Kersey; 15 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; two sisters, Phyllis Bricen and her husband Daniel of St. Marys and Joyce Leviski and her husband Eugene of St. Marys; and by a brother-in-law, John Pontzer.
In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by a son, Leonard Gradl; a grandson, Dustin Gradl; a sister, Jean Pontzer; a brother, Edward Seelye, Jr.; and by his stepfather, Edward Seelye.
Howard was a member of the Queen of the World Church and was a veteran of the US Navy, having served in World War II. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
There will be no visitation.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Thursday, November 30, 2017, at 12:00 PM, with the Rev. Jeff Noble, Pastor, officiating. Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Queen of the World Church, 134 Queens Road, St. Marys, or to the Community Nurses, Inc., 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA 15857.