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Sidney Willar Obituary
He was principal of Conrad Weiser High School from April 1961 to June 1966, and supervising principal at Daniel Boone from July 1966 to October 1973.
Dr. Willar was the beloved husband of Barbara (Cotter) Willar, Punxsutawney. They were married June 15, 1957.
Born Oct. 3, 1926, in Bellefonte, he was a son of the late Sidney G. and Emma V. (Gehret) Willar.
Dr. Willar taught math at the American School in Berlin, Germany, a school for military dependents. He was a math and history teacher in Bellefonte and in the Bald Eagle School District in Wingate.
Dr. Willar and his family moved to Punxsutawney in 1974, where he served as superintendent of the Punxsutawney School District, retiring in 1990.
He was a former president of the Punxsutawney chapter of Rotary International and was named a Paul Harris fellow.
He served on the Salvation Army board, the IUP Punxsy Trust and the Boles Foundation. He was a member and past president of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.
He was a lifetime member of the alumni associations of Lock Haven and Penn State. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion and the Elks lodge. He was a volunteer driver for senior meals.
Dr. Willar was an active member of the Presbyterian church in Punxsutawney and served in a variety of capacities, including several terms as an elder.
He was a woodworker, bridge player and an avid Penn State sports fan.
Dr. Willar was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theatre.
He attended Gettysburg College. Following his discharge, he received a bachelor's degree in math and history from Lock Haven University. He earned a master's degree in education and a doctorate in education from Pennsylvania State University.
He will be sadly missed by his three children: Stephen B., Sterling, Va.; Cynthia K., wife of Troy A. Wingenroth, Lititz; and Susan E., wife of Gregory W. Kresge, Douglassville.
Other survivors include his brother, John L. Willar, Doniphan, Mo.; and his sister, Margaret A. Zimmerman, Flemington.
In addition to his children, he was blessed with four grandsons: Evan and Wyatt Wingenroth and Andrew and Matthew Kresge.
Friends will be received today 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Deeley Funeral Home (33 Hillcrest Drive, Punxsutawney). Memorial services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in Punxsutawney Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Kente E. Holmes officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Bellefonte.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Margaret Boles Foundation or Punxsutawney Presbyterian Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sidney Willar
3 Entries
February 9, 2008
you and your family are in my thouts and prayers.
i had mr. willar as a history teacher at bald eagel high. i was in the first class to graduate.
he was a great teacher.
delores watson manson
Cynthia (Gilbert) Bohn
February 8, 2008
Mrs.Willar,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Mr.Willar always greeted me with a smile and "have a good day" he was a good principal. Bless you and your family.
Conrad Weiser High
Leigh Ann Willar McDonagh
February 8, 2008
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to my Aunt Barbara and my cousins Steve, Cindy and Susan in this difficult time. Uncle Sid was a kind, caring and inspirational figure to me growing up, and my memories of that golden time are happy ones. I am only sad that those days were so few, but grateful for having had them at all. Take care of yourselves.
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