Obituary of Robert Wayne Ishler, 94

Robert Wayne Ishler, 94, of Lemont passed away quietly on June 20, 2009, at home.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Verda (Kelley); his parents William J and Sarah Stamm Ishler; seven brothers Budd, Dean, Earl, Fred, Homer, Richard, William; and a sister Elizabeth (Parsons).

He is survived by his wife Anna Mary; two sons Robert E (Kay), J. Michael (Donna); a daughter Carol (Darryl) Bierly; a step-daughter Gail (Lou) Biddle; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Bob was captivated by aviation from youth. He learned to fly at age 16 from his lifelong friend and neighbor Sherm Lutz. They flew in and out of their familys' adjacent farms across from what is now University Park Airport. Prior to World War II, he was an instructor for the CPT(Civilian Pilot Training Program) teaching Penn State students to fly at the Boalsburg Airport. He was inducted into the Army Air Corps at the outset of World War II and served as an instructor throughout the war. Bob was an active pilot for more than 75 years earning the FAA's Master Pilot award and also recognized by the Experimential Aircraft Association for his lifetime achievements. His first plane was a WACO 10 followed by Aeronca K, Stinson, Bellanca, Vstar, 2 Starduster Too's and a RV6. Over the years Bob held numerous ratings, Private, Commercial, Commercial multi-engine, and Instructor.

Bob was a member and an elder of the Spring Creek Presbyterian Church in Lemont and a past moderator of the Huntingdon Presbytery. Bob belonged to the Odd Fellows, Masons, Lions and the Damascus Shrine. Bob was past chair of the Centre County Industrial Authority and the original Centre County Board of View. Bob was a successful businessman, working his way up from a laborer to manager of the former O. W. Houtz and Son Co. before leaving to start his own successful furniture and appliance business.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at the funeral home, with the Rev. David L. Meyer officiating. Burial will be in Meyer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Spring Creek Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 31, Mary and Mulberry Sts., Lemont, PA 16851.