Obituary of Paul E. Kretchman

KRETCHMAN – Paul E., 94, of Ebensburg passed away December 4, 2020 at Maple Winds Care Center, Portage.  Born January 1, 1926 in Beaver Falls, Pa., son of Otto and Amanda (Geske) Kretchman.  Preceded in death by parents;  step father,  Arthur Brendel;  sisters:  Edna and Amanda,  brothers:  Julius and Otto;  four step-siblings; his beloved wife Rosemary and son, Paul A. Kretchman.  Survived by children: Ellen Kretchman and Mark Otto (Marsha) Kretchman,  and daughter-in-law Jane Kretchman, all of Ebensburg;  grandchildren:  Laura Kretchman, Suzanne (Robert) Sakmar, Amy Jo Kretchman, and Kurt Kretchman as well as great-grandchildren: Amelia and Caroline Sakmar.  Paul enterd the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 on December 29, 1943.  He served during World War II on the USS Ommaney Bay, escort carrier, which was sunk on January 4, 1945 by two Kamikaze pilots.  Paul was honorably discharged on May 17, 1946.  He entered the Pennsylvania State Police in August of 1948 and was stationed in Ebensburg in September of 1949.  Retirement came in 1976 after proudly serving for 27 years.  Post retirement, Paul worked security for Bethlehem Mines from 1978 to 1982.  Paul married Rosemary Dobronski on June 9, 1951 in Ebensburg, together they enjoyed 62 years of devoted marriage.  As a young man, Paul enjoyed fishing and was an avid Indian arrowhead hunter.  He was a great fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Duke University Basketball program.  He enjoyed listening to big band music, reading WWII non-fiction, tomato gardening, sitting on the patio in the summer sunshine and time spent with family.  At his request there will be no visitation.  A private family gathering will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Paul’s memory.   Arrangements are in the care of the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg. 

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