James R. Sullenberger

1952 - 02

James R. Sullenberger, 59, of Ruffsdale, died Friday, June 10, 2011, in UPMC Shadyside, surrounded by his family. He was born Feb. 24, 1952, in Mt. Pleasant, a son of the late James and Letitia (Ohler) Sullenberger. Prior to his retirement, he had worked for U.S. Steel Clairton Works as a millwright for 35 years. Jim was a member of Grace Reformed Church of Yukon. He was a master in the martial arts and was an icon at the North American Karate & Fitness School in Greensburg, where he achieved 5th Degree Master over the past 31 years. He won several tournaments and was an outstanding instructor and beloved teacher who will be greatly missed. He earned the respect of all his students. He also enjoyed lifting weights at the school. Jim was definitely a "Mr. Fix it" with everything and anything he came across. He loved his family and his home, especially taking care of his "park" for Hannah. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Constance (Bepler) Sullenberger; two sons, James Sullenberger Jr. (Elisa Wall), of Ruffsdale, and William Sullenberger (Jacqueline Demalon), of Ruffsdale; his daughter, Erica (Jake) Lawrence, of England; cherished granddaughter, Hannah Marie Sullenberger, who was the light of his life; three sisters, Janet (Harrold) Bridges, of Tennessee, Connie (Harry) Crossan, of Scottdale, and Carol (Dave) Bridge, of Greensburg; three brothers, Wayne (Betty) Sullenberger, of Ruffsdale, Bill (Carolyn) Sullenberger, of Ruffsdale, and Grover (Donna) Sullenberger, of Ohio; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Joycelene Bepler, of Ruffsdale; three sisters-in-law, Carol (Greg) Freme, of West Virginia, Bonnie (Terry) Sethman, of Irwin, and Terri (Jeff) Patterson, of Virginia; brother-in-law, Tom (Karen) Bepler, of Greensburg; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Jim will be sadly missed by his family, friends and neighbors. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the JOSEPH W. NICKELS FUNERAL HOME INC., 404 Sewickley Ave., Herminie, PA 15637, 724-446-7251. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home with James Ghrist, LM, officiating. Interment will follow in Westmoreland County Memorial Park, Hempfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim's name to the Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases at UPMC (www.upmc.com/services/simmons-interstitial-lung-disease/pages/giving.aspx) or the Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside, 5115 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232-1301.