Alvin Billy 'Sam' Confer, 78 of Potters Mills, died Monday, April 8, 2010, at Centre Crest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bellefonte.
Around Centre County he is known as "Sam" or "Sambo". Somehow it is hard to picture him sitting still at a small desk in the one room classroom in Potters Mills as a little boy. All who have known him surely would agree that his energy and love of life would characterize his determination to carry on after his automobile accident at the age of 27.
You may remember him from school, delivering milk in the big galvanized cans, working on your car with his father (Wilbur Confer) or most commonly known him as "the clock and watch maker in Potters Mills".
Sometimes life throws unfortunate challenges at us that don't always seem fair. January 29, 1959 was the day that changed the life of the Confer family forever. At the time of the automobile accident he and his wife Peg, had four small children ages seven and down.
After his long hospitalization in Philadelphia, he was transferred to the rehabilitation center in Johnstown, PA where he learned the clock and watch trade. When he completed the course the family moved to a small house in Potters Mills where one of the rooms was made into Confer's Clock and Watch Repair Shop. He literally took clocks and watches of any age or type and rebuilt them working tirelessly day and night. He took great pride in all that he did.
During all the long months of recovery and rebuilding our family and friends were unbelievably loving, kind and supportive. It is in times like these that your belief in God and those you know and love will pull you through.
Sam's positive attitude and determination were an inspiration to many other families who were facing like trauma in their lives. Often he would visit their homes and encourage them to cope and move forward with their lives.
Aside from work his pleasures in life included traveling all over this beautiful country with his family, hunting and fishing with his friends, running his 6 wheeler, playing cards around the kitchen table and enjoying life one day at a time.
Although Sam was only given ten years to live from his doctors, 50 years later he was still working and traveling. Why? Other than being blessed by God, Sam was blessed with his wife, Peg, for 57 years who stood by him and cared for him tirelessly day and night. Funny how sometimes you are "blessed with an angel" in you life. His just happened to be a caring and loving wife. All who know her love her. She is truly one of the most unselfish and caring women you will ever know.
Sam lives on forever in the hearts and lives of all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. So whenever you see a pendulum swing or hear a clock tick smile and think about how precious every day is and live life to the fullest, it's the first day of the rest of your life.
In addition to his loving wife Peg, Sam is survived by four children, Kathy Lou Confer of Centre Hall, Bonnie Jean Catherman of New Castle, Indiana, Monte Alvin Confer of Bellefonte, and Debra Ann Homan of Spring Mills; one sister Bernice M. Grove of Spring Mills, one brother Elwood Confer of Potters Mills; ten grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren.
His parents, Wilbur and Tenchia Zettle Confer, preceded him in death along with two sisters, Irene M. Moyer and Dorothy M. Braucht.
Private funeral services and burial will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Green Grove Brethren in Christ Church, 301 Brush Mountain Road, Spring Mills, PA 16875.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.