W. Robert Neff, 76, of Howard passed away Saturday, June 19, 2010, at Mount Nittany Medical Center surrounded by his family, who loved him so much.
Bob was born July 17, 1933, in Lock Haven, a son of Willard and Helen Wolfe Neff. On July 30, 1955, he married Beulah Quiggle. They would have celebrated their 55th anniversary next month.
Bob was a graduate of Howard High School, Class of 1951. He was a graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He owned and operated W. Robert Neff Funeral Home in Howard from 1955 to his retirement 1996. He was the fourth generation of this family business. He was appointed Centre County Coroner in 1959 by Governor Fine due to a vacancy in that office and continued to serve as Centre County Coroner for 32 years.
He was a member of the Howard United Methodist Church, Howard Fire Company, Howard Area Lions Club, Bellefonte Masonic Lodge Number 268, Pennsylvania Funeral Director's Association, a former member of the Pennsylvania Coroner's Association and Howard Grange. He was a former president of the Howard Cemetery Association. He was a former president and office holder of Schencks Cemetery Association. He served as the licensed funeral director, overseeing the move of the Schencks Cemetery from Schencks Grove area to its present location. As part of the construction of the Foster Sayers Memorial Dam Howard, he supervised the transfer of more than 1,200 graves to the current Schencks Cemetery.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Kim Ortenzio Nielsen (Robert), of Camp Hill, Toni Dagon (Roger), of Howard, M. Sue Dyke (Greg), of Howard; and a son, Steven R. (Brenda), of Millheim. He is survived by nine grandchildren, Jonathan, Lyndsey and Chelsey Neff, Lauren, Michael and Andrew Ortenzio, Kaiden, Makennah Dyke and Madison Dagen; a step-granddaughter Jenny Nielsen; step-grandsons Sean and Justin Dagen; and one step-great grandson Cypress Dagen. He was also survived by business associates and special friends, Curt and Sondra Kader and family.
There will be a public visitation held from 2-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at the Howard United Methodist Church, Main Street in Howard. At Bob's request, there will be a graveside service at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at Schencks Cemetery, with Pastor Craig Rose and the Rev. Donald Fornwalt officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Howard United Methodist Church Stained Glass Window Restoration Fund or Howard Fire Company. Online condolences may be made to www.kader-neff.com.