Herbert Edward "Herb" Elias

Herbert Edward "Herb" Elias obituary, Butler, PA

FUNERAL HOME

Thompson-Miller Funeral Home

124 E North St

Butler, Pennsylvania

Herbert Elias Obituary

Herbert Edward 'Herb' Elias
Herbert Edward "Herb" Elias, 83, of Butler passed away at 9:48 a.m. Monday in the comfort of his home surrounded by family and guarded by the family dog, Buddy.
He was born Nov. 1, 1929, in Crenshaw, Pa., to the late Frank Elias and Ethel (Johnson) Elias.
Mr. Elias was a graduate of Brockway High School. He earned his bachelor of science degree from Clarion University, then went on to earn his master's of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. He was a member of the baseball, football and basketball teams in high school and college.
Mr. Elias was a teacher in the Butler School District for 41 years, retiring on May 28, 1993. He owned the Elias Driver Training School for the past 60 years. It is estimated that he taught more than 20,000 residents how to drive. He enjoyed the interaction with his many students and colleagues over the years. He continued operating the driving school until his brief illness in February.
Mr. Elias was an Eagle Scout, a member of the St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, the Oakview Golf Club, the Elks Club and the Pennsylvania Association of Professional Driving Schools. He enjoyed spending the holidays, vacations and special occasions with his large and loving family. He enjoyed golf, Pirates baseball and the Sunday ritual of maintaining his cars with his trusted friend, Pat Mohn.
Mr. Elias is survived by his wife, Marian J. (Burton) Elias, who he married Aug. 8, 1953; three sons, Rick Elias and his wife, Carol, of Butler, Doug Elias and his wife, Jen, of Twinsburg, Ohio, and David Elias and his wife, Lori, of Bradford Woods, Pa.; two daughters, Kathy Rubin and her husband, Eddie, of Acton, Mass., and Terri Ronald and her husband, Carl, of Allison Park; 13 grandchildren, Logan and Chelsea Elias, Avery, Lucas and Brody Elias, Sam, Jack and Ben Rubin, Nathan, Maddie and Noah Elias and Abby and Zach Ronald; two sisters, Alma Capetta and Joyce Grecco, both of Brockway, Pa.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Donald Elias.
ELIAS - Friends of Herbert Edward "Herb" Elias, who passed away Monday, March 18, 2013, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler, PA.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at the St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, 1660 N. Main St. Ext., Butler, with Father James Salberg officiating. Entombment will take place in the Calvary Cemetery.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, 1660 N. Main St. Ext., Butler, PA 16001 or to the Good Samaritan Hospice, 3400 Brooktree Road, Suite 320, Wexford, PA 15090.
Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.

Published by Butler Eagle on Mar. 20, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Herbert Elias

Not sure what to say?





I would like to add my sympathy to the family of Herb Elias. I too was one of his students and his driving tips and advice are still with me 50 years later. I also remember that he was a good basketball player who always impressed at faculty games. He has left quite a legacy and he will be missed.

Jerry Friedman

March 28, 2013

Rick, Carol & Families, I was one of the many that your dad had for Drivers Ed and he was a great teacher. You all have our deepest sympathy for your loss and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Leo & Marge Geibel Hilliards, PA 16040

March 26, 2013

One of my favorite teachers...class of 89. Rest in peace, Mr. Elias.

Melissa Caretti

March 23, 2013

Dearest Aunt Marian and family,
Our deepest condolences for the loss of Uncle Herb. He was a wonderful man who had an amazing life and loving family. He will be fondly remembered.
God bless and love to you all.

Valerie Garretson

March 23, 2013

I will always remember his fun nature and the skill he had for his craft. He was a great instructor and even a better man. I passed on my first test with his help. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Jordan Kaufman

March 22, 2013

Dear Rick,

So sorry to learn of your father's passing. He was quite a guy. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Jack McMillin

March 21, 2013

I am one of Mr. Elias' many, many students. He was a very kind and patient man. The memory I have of my time with him is of him picking me up for my first lesson. He asked me to get in the driver's seat and I said "didn't my parents tell you I've never driven?" His response was "Yes, go ahead and get in the driver's seat." I was so nervous, but being the wonderful teacher he was, he calmed my fears. My sincere sympathy to the entire Elias family. May God welcome Mr. Elias with open arms.

Kathy Fornelli

March 21, 2013

Herb will be sadly missed, he was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers go out to my sister Marian and the whole family.

Gerald Burton

March 21, 2013

My thoughts and prayers go out to my Aunt Marian and the whole Elias family. Herb will be sadly missed.

Lisa Hoover

March 21, 2013

Dear Rick and Carol,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad, and yes he taught me to drive too! Rick, I was a neighbor of yours and worked @ BMH and knew Carol too. Enjoyed your Wedding...Please accept my sincere sympathy. Take Care.
Linda (Prokop) Coco

March 21, 2013

Of course he taught me to drive! A special person to be sure. AI didn't know that he was such an athlete as a young man. It really makes sense given how all of his kids were good at sports. Best wishes and comforts. Sean.

Sean Bradrick

March 21, 2013

Rick, Carol and family,
May God bless you, comfort you, and give you peace. Treasure the fond memories and times spent together. Rick, your dad taught me to drive and you taught our girls to drive. He left quite a legacy. Condolences to all of you!

Debby Croft

March 21, 2013

I was one of his 20,000 student drivers. My sympathy to his family

Celia Snodgrass

March 21, 2013

I have many good memories of Mr. Elias. He was VERY patient as a driving instructor. Thanks to him I learned to drive at age 22.
God bless all of his family.

Carolyn Shields

March 21, 2013

My condolences to Mrs. Elias and the family. Back in High School Rick and I were pretty good friends and Mr. E was our Basketball coach. May he rest in peace with my prayers going to him and his family.
Jeff Beneigh

Jeff Beneigh

March 21, 2013

my thoughts and prayers are with the whole family! He was an awesome teacher teaching a lot of us how to drive! Will be sadly missed by a lot!

Pati Schreffler- Moore

March 21, 2013

All my heartfelt consolences to the Elias family for your loss of such a great man, great educator, role model, and great human being. He was the most important person in my life when I was 15 and a half and holding a learner's permit. A lifetime of memories here. God bless!

Bill Lutz

March 20, 2013

I was a senior at BHS in 1959 in Room 314. Mr Elias assigned me the job of driving the 1959 Oldsmobile from the garage to its parking place in front of the school. It was a thrill to drive that car every morning. He was a good man.

Dale Schnur

March 20, 2013

Dear Marian & families; may we express our deepest sympathy in the death of "Herb." He was a wonderful person & excellent teacher, who will be remembered by all of us, who had the fortune to know him.
Your in our hearts & in our prayers.

Michael/ Dee Dee Newcaster

March 20, 2013

My sympathies to family and friends. So sorry to hear. I think the town of Butler knew Mr Elias. Thank you for dedicating so much of your life to helping people learn to drive. It wont be the same not seeing him riding around. Rest in peace.

March 20, 2013

My sympathy to the Elias family. Sorry to hear of your loss.

Randa DiMaria

March 20, 2013

Herb was always 'Mr. Elias' to me. I was a '53 graduate of BHS and I well remember when Mr. Elias first came on the scene at our high school, he looked like one of the seniors, actuall he was only a few years older than I. So sorry to hear of his passing. My prayers are with the family during your time of sorrow.

Pastor Bob Brookhart

March 20, 2013

A class act and fantastic teacher. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.

Joe Rovetto

March 20, 2013

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results

Make a Donation
in Herbert Elias's name

Memorial Events
for Herbert Elias

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Thompson-Miller Funeral Home

124 E North St, Butler, PA 16001

How to support Herbert's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Herbert Elias's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more