George W. Clapper

HERMITAGE-George W. Clapper 94, of Hermitage, passed away Monday September 10, 2018 at Nugent’s CCRC following a period of declining health.

He was born in Tyrone, PA on August 23, 1924, the only child of George W. and Mary C. (Fisher) Clapper.

George was a 1942 graduate of Altoona High School and went on to proudly serve as a pilot with the 86th Transport Squadron of U.S. Army Air Corps.  during World War II.  He received his honorable discharge as a 1st Lieutenant in November of 1945 along with the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern medal with three battle stars.

Following his discharge, he married his sweetheart the former Patricia Saylor on December 12, 1945. George then found work at the former Westinghouse where he would retire as a Drafting Supervisor with thirty-seven years of service.

George was a longtime member of the Hickory United Methodist Church where he had served as a Trustee.  As a talented craftsman, he and several friends from Westinghouse worked together as a team and each built their own family homes over the course of several years throughout the Shenango Valley.  George also proudly worked on his home in Sebastian, FL where he and his wife were known to escape the winters of Western Pennsylvania for more than twenty-six years.  In his free time, he also was a member of the former Chadderton Airport Flying Club, and had enjoyed hunting and fishing in earlier years.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Patricia of Hermitage; son Philip W. Clapper and his wife Pamela of Clark, daughters Aimee D. Clapper and her companion Francis Jensen of Sharon and Karen S. Clapper of Hermitage; five grandchildren Neely, Summer, Whitney, Jessica, and Matthew; and his five great-grandchildren Gianna, Isabella, Antonia, Logan, and Donavan.

Friends may pay their respects on Thursday evening from 5:00-7:00PM at the Sample-O’Donnell Funeral Home 555 East State Street Sharon, PA 16146.

Funeral services will be held beginning at 7:00PM in the funeral home with Rev. Frank Hodges, pastor of Hickory United Methodist Church, Hermitage, officiating.

Burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Altoona.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made the Hickory United Methodist Church.

Friends and family may view the obituary and send condolences at www.sampleodonnellfh.com.