Obituary of William T. Reffner

REFFNER – William T. Jr. “Bill,” 74, Vinco, passed away June 18, 2011, at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He was born Jan. 31, 1937, in Johnstown, son of William T. Sr. and Helen M. (Mathieson) Reffner. Preceded in death by parents, and mother-in-law, Eleanor R. Bombach. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, LaVerne R. (Bombach) Reffner, Vinco; children, Beth Ellen, wife of Robert E. Belsterling, Ebensburg, William T. “Ted” Reffner III, married to the former Daphne M. Bookas, Vinco; and Mark J. Reffner, married to the former Mary T. Kehl, Northumberland; grandchildren, Joshua, Nathaniel and Jonathan Belsterling and Maria and Abigail Reffner; sister, Shelby, wife of Dennis Livingston, Vinco; father-in-law, Frank J. Bombach, Vinco; brother-in-law, Robert Bombach, married to the former Sharon Smith, Vinco; sisters-in-law, Carolyn, wife of Delford Leidy, Ashland, Ohio, and Mary, wife of Dennis Devlin, Vinco; best friend who he considered his brother, William “Bill” Ragley, married to the former Gayle Boring, Vinco; and several nieces and nephews. Bill was a 1955 graduate of Conemaugh High School. He served in the Army National Guard as a sergeant. Bill retired from U.S. Steel, where he was employed as a welder. In addition to working at U.S. Steel, he was co-operator at Bill & Bill’s Atlantic Richfield Service Station, Vinco. After retiring from U.S. Steel, he became a welding instructor at Johnstown Vo-Tech. Bill was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mundys Corner; Klay Pyke Campers; and former member and past president of the Jackson Township Lions Club. He enjoyed camping and fishing, but his true love was his family. Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at The Baker-Harris Funeral Chapel, Conemaugh, and from 9 a.m. until time of service at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mundys Corner, the Rev. Nelson Ilgenfritz, officiating. Interment will be at Ogden Cemetery. The family suggests donations be directed to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Building Fund, 3328 William Penn Ave., Johnstown, Pa. 15909, in memory of Bill.