Samuel R. Klapp

WATSONTOWN - Samuel R. Klapp, 72, of Elm Street, passed away Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, at his home.
Born March 21, 1937, in Lewisburg, he was a son of the late C. Richard and Loretta (Shuman) Klapp. On Feb. 10, 1956, he married the former Gladys J. Truckenmiller, and they would have celebrated 54 years of marriage Wednesday.
Sam graduated from Watsontown High School in 1955 and served in the US Navy reserves.
He retired from CECO Corporation, New Columbia, where he had worked 21 years. After retiring from CECO, he served as the Watsontown Borough Manager for 11 years until retiring in 2000. He had also worked as a part-time police officer in Watsontown in the early 1960's.
He was a life-member of the former West Branch Fire Company, Watsontown, now the Warrior Run Area Fire Company, where he served as fire chief from 1969 to 1976.
He had served on the Watsontown Borough council and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Watsontown.
Sam received several distinguished awards over his lifetime, including the American Legion Citation for Meritorious Service in 1975, which his father received in 1956, the only father-son recipients on record. He was awarded the West Branch Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, Law Enforcement Certificate of Achievement; the Sim Cronrath Fire Company Award; and a citation from the Commonwealth of PA House of Representatives for his service on borough council and the fire department.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are one daughter, Rebekah A. Amato; one son and daughter-in-law, Steven R. and Denise Klapp, all of Watsontown; four grandchildren, Sarah K. Starr of Montgomery, Gretchen J. Shoemaker and Ashley R. Starr, both of Sunbury, and Brandon R. Klapp of Watsontown; two great-grandsons, Jacob D. and Ethan D. Shoemaker of Sunbury; and three aunts, Lucille Shuman Gross, E. Jane Shuman, and Pearl Klapp.
Friends are invited to call from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Brooks Funeral Home, 124 Main Street, Watsontown. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church, 401 Main St., Watsontown, with Pastors Paul Smith, Elizabeth Affsprung and his nephew, Timothy Truckenmiller, officiating.
Burial with a fireman's tribute will follow in Watsontown Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his memory be made to the Warrior Run Area Fire Company, PO Box 8, Watsontown, PA 17777.