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Thomas Hovanec Obituary
Born Feb. 15, 1936, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late John T. and Ethel Tkach Hovanec.
He was employed by the Butler School District as an elementary educator for 35 years, retiring in 1993.
He was a 1958 graduate of Shippensburg State Teachers College, where he earned his B.S.E.D. He later went on to earn his master's degree at Westminster College, graduating in 1967.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the 87th Infantry Regiment, "The Conquerors," in Fort Benning, Ga., also the 21st Infantry Regiment, "The Gimlets," in Munich, Germany.
He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, the NRA and Butler Elks Lodge 170. He was a founding member of the Civil War Roundtable and also a founding member of Little Beavers Rod and Gun Club in Bedford. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.
He enjoyed reading, especially history, hunting, traveling, and doing yard work.
He was a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler.
Surviving are his wife, Charine Petrarca Hovanec, who he married July 27, 1968; his son, Matthew (Colleen) Hovanec of Lititz; his daughter, Rachel (Jeffrey) Spirer of Dardenne Prairie, Mo.; his four grandchildren, Pfc. Andrew Hackman of Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Matthew Hackman, Ethan Spirer and Madison Spirer, all at home; and his numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Hovanec - Friends of Thomas J. Hovanec, who passed away Monday, May 19, 2014, will be received at Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, from 2 to 4:30 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler. Interment will follow at Butler County Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Butler County Symphony Association, 259 S. Main St., Butler, PA. 16001.
For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Hovanec
Denise Guiher
May 28, 2014
Sherry, Rachel, and Matt,
I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was such a kind and gentle soul and will be missed by many.
George/Sue Murphy
May 27, 2014
Sherry and family, We are certainly sad to hear of Tom's death.
He was the true teacher everyone should experience once in
their lives. You have our heartfelt sympathy.
George / Sue Murphy
May 27, 2014
Sherry and family, What a loss. Tom was one of the truly rare
teachers and a kind man. Our sympathy to you.
George and Sue Murphy
May 24, 2014
Tom and I were friends in Jr. and Sr. High School. I just learned of his passing as I was out of town. Condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
Jim Rockovich, Mt. Lebanon, PA
Shirley A. Protzman
May 24, 2014
A great teacher, a wonderful friend,
his influence will never end.
His work on earth is done,
eternal life has begun.
May God grant peace and comfort to all who mourn his passing.
Blessings,
May 24, 2014
My sympathy, Sherry, for the loss of your husband, Tom. He was, in deed, a great teacher, who enriched the lives of his students every day. His love of history was such an important part of his life. I'm sure he made history live for his students. As a colleague I always enjoyed speaking with him. He had a wonderful outlook on life. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of your husband.
Sincerely,
Julia K.Megnin
William Vogt
May 24, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with the Hovanec family during this difficult time. God bless your family.
May 23, 2014
So very sorry for your loss. Although I never knew Tom, I read the wonderful comments made by students and I do not believe there could be better tributes than those given by students whose lives he truly affected. I know that he had to have been a special man. My sympathy to Charine, my friend on the Symphony Board, and to all of the family.
Judith Wadding
Jerry Friedman
May 23, 2014
I would like to offer my sympathy to the family of Tom Hovanec. He was a lifelong educator who had a profound impact on the Butler community and beyond. I was a student of Mr. Hovanec' s in what I believe may have been his first year of teaching at the old Center Avenue Elementary School. He was a great teacher and role model and I still remember some of his lessons, especially in science where we would crush cans using vacuum pressure. I also know that he was a very kind and compassionate person. Although I had not seen him since my elementary school days, he visited the funeral home when my mother passed away nearly thirty years later to express his sympathy. While I know that this must be a very difficult time for his family and friends, I hope that they can find some comfort and solace in knowing that he left a remarkable legacy of services and leadership to the youth of Butler inspiring hundreds of students to achieve high levels of citizenship and professionalism. Indeed, it was a life well lived by a beautiful, kind, and caring person.
Terry Whitesell
May 22, 2014
So sorry to learn of Mr. Hovanec's passing. He was my 5th grade teacher at Emily Brittain School, way back in 1965. He was very kind & approachable, something unusual back then; a very memorable man.
Denise "Rager" Napoletan
May 22, 2014
So sorry for your loss, I had Mr Hovanec at Emily Brittan Elementary School. What a wonderful caring teacher.
Jane Neigh
May 21, 2014
Tom was one of the most passionate teachers I have ever had the pleasure to work with. he loved the profession, his students, but most of all his wife and children. His wit was unmatched and he could always bring a smile to your face. I never heard anyone say a bad word about him.I am so glad our paths crossed. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Prayers for your Cheri, Matt, and Rachel he was a true role model.
Jason Van Gorder
May 21, 2014
Thoughts and prayers. I had him at Emily Britain in the late 80's. God bless your family.
Holly (Rogerson) Ehrman
May 21, 2014
So sorry for the family's loss. I had him for 5th grade, Emily Brittain and I can say he was one of my all time favorite teachers. May God bless you all
Sue Mitchell
May 21, 2014
Mrs. Hovanec, so sorry to hear of your great loss. May your memories help you during this difficult time. I had the pleasure of having him for 5th grade. Emily Brittain was Blessed to have him for so many years.God Bless you & family.
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