Francis Thomas "Hank" Biller

Francis Thomas “Hank” Biller, a beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and husband,died Monday, February 2. He was 84.

Hank was known for his quick wit, dry jokes and hilarious stories, which he was always ready to offer to anyone he shared a table or a drink with. Most of all, he was loved for his kind nature,warm smile and tender eyes. His family knew, just by the way he looked at them, how much they were loved.

Hank was also a sportsman. He played a mean game of golf, and liked watching it just as much.He enjoyed a nice glass of Scotch and strong black coffee–and was known to point out that there was water in both. He made the best egg sandwiches, and knew the names of every Western movie made since the dawn of film. He loved dancing cheek-to-cheek with his wife,cooking for his family and spending time with friends at his local VFW. The bartender lit up every time he walked in the door, and always planted a kiss right on him.

To his grandchildren he was known as “Pappy,” and he thrilled at making the little ones happy. He pulled shiny pebbles out of ears, tousled hair and assigned loving nicknames.

Hank was born in Masontown, PA, on July 22, 1941 to Margaret and Rudolph Biller. He was the youngest of four brothers, Don, Rudy and Rich, and grew up working alongside his father on carpentry and construction projects. He graduated from All Saints High School in 1959 and quickly joined the Navy as a seaman recruit. During his time in the Navy, Hank was a E-3 boiler technician fireman. He served aboard the U.S.S. Wasp CV-18 in 1961, which was part of the Cuban Blockade.

He met the love of his life, Mary Ann “Mikey” Student, shortly after graduating high school. The couple married on June 10, 1961 and welcomed twins, Mary Margaret “Sissy” and Francis Paul “Buz,” the following year. The family settled in Masontown where Hank worked as a miner operator in the Robena coal mine, he also worked as a butcher for the Acme market.

In 1972, Hank and Mikey welcomed their third child, Thomas. A year later, Hank, his father and his older brother, Rudy, built a three-bedroom home from the ground up, which became the family’s cozy homebase for years to come. Hank outfitted it with an aboveground pool, where the kids and their friends often joined in games, making the home a welcoming spot filled with laughter and love.

In the 1980s, Hank left the coal mines to focus on his first love: carpentry. He was an expert craftsman with a keen eye, and a studied ability to create high-quality custom kitchen cabinets,furniture and stained glass inlays. His youngest son, Tom, often joined him in that work, learning skills that would serve him for a lifetime.

In 2002, Hank and Mikey sold the family home to move to Sebring, FL, where they found sunshine and warmth and made many new lifelong friends. They enjoyed visits with family,dinners out, trips to the VFW and quiet evenings at home. Hank loved to sit in a favorite chair by the front door, listening to country music and sipping a drink. He and Mikey spent many warm summer nights together side-by-side in those chairs.

Hank is deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife, Mikey; his son, Tom Biller, and his wife, Jessica, and their daughters, Ella and Henri; his daughter, Sissy Marcinak, and her husband, Jerry, and their children, Alyssa, Jerry, and Cayla, as well as Cayla’s boyfriend, Chris Lang; and his son, Francis Paul “Buz” Biller, and his wife, Helene, their daughter, Stephanie Roberts, and her husband, Craig, and great-granddaughter, Lena.