Richard Roland Beltz

Richard Roland Beltz, 85, of Quakake, passed away peacefully Saturday evening at his home. He was the husband of Loretta née Price, married for 56 years.

He was born in Lofty to Earl and Hannah (Jones) Beltz and resided most of his life in Quakake. He graduated from Mahanoy Twp. High School in 1956. After graduating, he worked at Slatington Lamp Factory until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1961. He served in Taegue, South Korea, in the Aviation Detachment 7th Logististical Command as an air traffic controller until his discharge in 1967. Following his discharge, he was employed by Parrish Steel, Dana Corp. of Reading, as a MIG welder for 32 years.

Rich was a fan of the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State football. A fan of the outdoors, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and lawn mowing. He was known to the neighbors as "The Lawn Ranger." For many years, Rich owned horses and liked to ride his horse, Ace. He relaxed by smoking his pipe or a good cigar. He was an avid jokester with a dry sense of humor. He enjoyed telling humorous anecdotes that he would tell over and over, but were always still funny. Rich loved his dog, Sammy, who he affectionately called "Weasel." He enjoyed taking her for walks on the mountain and making her and him grilled cheese sandwiches.

He was a lifetime social member of Ryan Twp. Fire Company in Barnesville.

He was a member of Quakake American Legion Post 973 for 35 years. Protestant by faith, he was also a member of Christ United Church of Christ Church of Barnesville.

In his later years, he enjoyed watching westerns and cowboy movies with some takeout food and vanilla milkshakes. During his last five years, he struggled with Alzheimer's disease and other health issues. He looked forward to spending time with his friends, John Shoup, Dana Jones and Georgine Clemens.

Rich was preceded in death by his sister, Sara Lorah Baum; and brothers, Melvin, Lowell and Edward. He was the last surviving member of his parents and siblings.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his son, Richard (wife, Jennifer); daughters, Sandra Stefansky (husband, Thomas); Elizabeth (companion, Adam Weaver); grandchildren, Hannah, Alivia and Cassandra Stefansky; and Emily Beltz; and cousins, nieces and nephews.

His grandchildren fondly remember their pappy raking the coal stove, picking raspberries, eating his blueberries, baking bread, walking to the post office with him to get the mail and when he went to their school's annual veterans day program.

Contributions may be made to Grier City Sunday School; Christ UCC Scholarship Fund; or Pawsitively Purrfect Animal Rescue.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Lamar Christ Funeral Home in Hometown and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday. Funeral service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m., followed by interment in Sky-View Memorial Park.