Obituary of David F. McMahon

McMAHON - Dr. David F., 76, Ebensburg, died Nov. 27, 2007, in Ebensburg. Born May 23, 1931, in Breckenridge, Minn., son of Frank H. and Ruth (Lima) McMahon. Preceded in death by parents; first wife, the former Joan A. Godfrey, whom he married on April 2, 1956; and a sister, Mary Solot. Survived by second wife, Elizabeth "Betty" (Smith) Wirfel, whom he married Sept. 14, 1985; and his children: Michael T. McMahon, Richmond, Va.; Paul B. McMahon, and wife, Kristine (Parmer), Loretto; Meghan McMahon, Lancaster; Mary Jo McMahon, Lewistown; and David G. McMahon, and wife, Melissa (Painter), Alexandria. Survived by his stepchildren: Barbara A. (Wirfel), wife of Andrew Henzel, Land O'Lakes, Fla.; Matthew G. Wirfel, Fairview Park, Ohio; John F. Wirfel, Ebensburg; Gregory H. Wirfel, and wife, Lisa (Long), New Germany; Therese (Wirfel), wife of Gregory Grimes, Summerhill; Andrew R. Wirfel, and wife, Grace (Gossard), Summerhill; and Brother Allan P. Wirfel, LC, Chersire, Conn. Survived by foster children: Jack McMullen and Paul McMullen. Survived by his grandchildren: Shane, Chavis and Morgan Eckenrod; Scott, Shawn and Devin McMahon; and Gabriel and Julian McMahon; and great-granddaughter, Jade M. Eckenrod. Also survived by 14 stepgrandchildren. Brother of Peggy (McMahon) Patterson, Alhambra, Calif. Dave grew up in Whapeton, N.D. Dave graduated in 1953 from St. John's University, Collegeville, Minn., with a B.A. in history. In 1958, he earned a M.S. in sociology from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo., and in 1970, a Ph.D. in anthropology from the Catholic University of America. He also served with the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 which included a tour of duty in Japan. He was professor emeritus at St. Francis University, where he taught for 40 years. He was the chairman of the behavioral science department for 19 years. He published his doctoral dissertation in both Spanish and English on the Mazateco Indians of Southern Mexico. He wrote numerous reviews of sociology and anthropology books. He was a lifetime member of the American Anthropological Association; member of the Pennsylvania Sociological Society and recent board member of NAMI of Cambria County. Dave enjoyed camping and going on vacations with his families. Dave was also a member of Cursillo. Friends received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Matevish and Matevish Funeral Home, where vigil wake service will be held Thursday evening. Funeral Mass at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Holy Name Catholic Church, Ebensburg, the Rev. Monsignor Arnold L. Gaus. Committal, St. Michael's Cemetery, Loretto. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to NAMI of Cambria County or St. Michael Elementary School, Loretto, in Dave's memory.