Edward J. Hornung

 Edward J. Hornung, 80, of 616 Sunset Rd., St. Marys, died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016 at Penn Highlands DuBois. He was born July 28, 1936 on Plank Road Hollow in Emporium, a son of the late Simon J. Hornung and Matilda "Tillie" Oswald Hornung. On July 3, 1965 in Holy Cross Church in Rasselas, he married Dr. Clythera Smith Hornung, who survives. He graduated from Emporium High School, Class of 1956. He had additional schooling at Williamsport Tech for plumbing and was employed by Sylvania in Emporium, Emporium Water Company, Pennsylvania Highway Department – Surveyor Assistant, Johnstown Steel Company and Airco-Speer.

Ed was involved in numerous community organizations. He was active in the early days of Little League in Emporium. He was a member of the Emporium Fire Department. He was a founder of the wrestling booster club (The Bagubas) at Cameron County High School. After he moved to St. Marys with his family in the late 1970s, he was involved in the Quarterback Club and was a founder of an early booster club for the St. Marys Area track team. Ed organized the first booster group for soccer as a varsity sport at St. Marys Area. He was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club.

More recently he was engaged in the political activities of the Elk County Republican Party. He served as party chairperson and was a member of the Republican State Committee. Ed's leadership encouraged active party participation and supported the election of sufficient Republicans that the Elk County Courthouse was considered a leadership stronghold of Republicans. In addition to Ed's concern for youth and his support of local politics, he was a talented artist. He was a woodcarver, having done numerous carvings of birds with very intricate details. He also was very competent in making stained glass pieces – those with leaded joints. He had the "eye of an artist" in selecting textures and colors that enhanced the design and made his work outstanding examples of creativity. He also was a basket weaver – using his strong hands to make useful and artistically attractive creations that are "one of a kind." He used wood in creative ways to construct attractive useful items – such as those that he made in basket shapes (from wood). He also made decorative items involving many varieties of wood in designs that were unique and very creative. He shared his expertise with several churches in the area including Sacred Heart and St. Boniface. He was responsible for the oversight of the restoration of the stained glass windows at Sacred Heart while serving as chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. At St. Boniface, in the same role he provided expertise and guidance for the brick restoration of the exterior of the church. These are just some examples of how he shared his time and expertise for the welfare of many.

As a current member of the Zoning Board of the City of St. Marys, Ed was dedicated to compliance with city ordinances, providing that these did not cause undue hardship to residents unless it was necessary for the general welfare of all. Ed was devoted to his church, his community and his family.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Clythera (Smith) Hornung; his son, Simon J. Hornung II and his wife Terri Wilson Hornung and their daughter McKenzie Lee Hornung; his daughter, Stacey J. (Hornung) Miller and her husband Timothy J. Miller and their children Gregory J. Miller and Caroline A. Miller; his nieces and nephews, the children of James and Sandra Hornung: Dennis, Vince, Karen Hornung Czekai, Julie Hornung Coolick, Amy Hornung Thwing, Paul and Blair (deceased), the children of Edward and Jane Hornung Soban: Tom Soban, Diane Soban Boyd, Lynn Soban and Tina Soban May, and the child of Bernard and Thelma Hornung: David Hornung (deceased).

 He was preceded in death by his father, Simon J. Hornung on April 21, 1989; his mother, Matilda (Tillie) Oswald Hornung on Aug. 1, 2003; his brother, James Simon Hornung on Aug. 22, 2012; 

his sister, Jane Hornung Soban on May 19, 2014; 

and his twin brother, Bernard G. Hornung on Feb. 17, 2016.

Ed was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Edward J. Hornung will be celebrated Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 337 Center St., St. Marys, Pa. 15857 with Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mark's Cemetery in Emporium.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. at the

 Lynch-Green Funeral Home.

Donations in memory of Edward J. Hornung may be made to the St. Marys Area School Foundation which is a 501c3. Contribution checks may be sent to the following address: St. Marys Area School Foundation, Edward J. Hornung Memorial Fund, Attention: Louise Johnson, 977 S. St. Marys Rd., St. Marys, Pa. 15857.