H. Wendell "Pap" Burris

     Mr. Burris, 77, 135 Boyd Street, Blandburg, went home to be with his Lord at 2:00 pm Thursday, February 10, 2005 at the James E. VanZandt Veterans Hospital, Altoona, following a extended battle with emphysema.  Known as Pap, he was born March 24, 1927 in Butler, PA. a son of the late Walter J. and Bernice M. (Moore) Burris.  He attended school in Butler, quitting after the tenth grade so he could enlist in the United States Navy.  After serving in the Navy for three years during WWII, he returned to Butler High School and completed the eleventh and twelfth grades in one year, as an honor student.  He then re-enlisted in the Navy where he remained active for 32 years.  While in the Navy, he furthered his education by attending numerous schools and colleges including Penn State.
On April 10, 1955, in Blandburg, he married Gloria M. Lightner who survives along with 4 daughters: Dr. N. Lorraine (Jeffrey) Gerlach of Pocatello, ID., Sherry (Jerry) Hurt of Hanford, CA., Bernice (William) Berger of Schellsburg and Shelby (Richard) Roth of Johnstown, 6 grandchildren: Karen McClellan and Walter Fiedor III, both of Blandburg, Amy Jo Nelson of Sicily, Italy, and Jed, Micah and Nathan Hurt of Hanford, CA., 2 greatgrandchildren Hannah McClellan of Blandburg and Christian Nelson of Sicily, Italy.  He loving raised his children and then three of his grandchildren.  Also surviving are 7 sisters: Darlene Schonberger of Sarasota, FL., Gerilyn Lind of Maryville, TN., Carol Cunningham of Cleveland, OH, Shirley Maxwell of Clermont, FL., Kathleen Burris of Greenville, TN., Nancy Aller of Sun City, AZ., and Janice Goodman of Alexandria, PA.  He was preceded in death by a son David Wendell in 1977 and 3 brothers Donald, William and Dale.
Mr. Burris was a life member of the NRA, volunteered for and drove the DAV van, was a member of the Coalport VFW and 
recently resigned from the Board of Directors of the Reade Twp. Municipal Authority.  While he was in the Navy  had been an expert at shooting the rifle and pistol, traveling worldwide to participate in and win many competitions.  He also was a rifle and pistol instructor for the State Police while living in Texas, California and Hawaii.  Wendell, his wife and family enjoyed extensive traveling, covering all 50 states and many 
foreign countries.  He was an avid bowler and golfer. Most of his Navy career was spent in the Pacific Fleet, where he proudly served his country during WWII, Korea and Vietnam.  He served aboard numerous ships including: USS McCoy Reynolds-DE440, USS Horace A. Bass-APD124, USS John R. Craig-DD885, USS Piedmont-AD17, USS Hanson-DDR832, USS Prairie-AD15, USS Chandler-DD717, USS Brinkley Bass-DD887 and USS Henderson-DD785.  While in Vietnam he was on the staff of COMNAVFORV, a communications officer of Riverine Squadron Eleven, communications watch supervisor at COMNAVFORV headquarters communication center, chief in charge and sole patrol officer of Riverine Forces and administration officer during operations.  After retirement from the Navy he was employed at the Altoona Hospital as assistant director of communications and security.  He had been owner and operator of the former Blandburg Water Co.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 11:00 am.  Interment in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Glasgow, where full military honors will be conducted by the Philipsburg Independent Honor Guard.  Friends received at the McQuown Funeral Home, Glasgow,  Saturday 7-9 and Sunday 2-4 & 7-9. 

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