Obituary of William H. Neff, 82

William H. Neff, 82, formerly of Millheim, passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born on May 13, 1931 in Howard, Bill was a son of the late Gilbert and Aida Long Neff. He was a 1949 graduate of East Penns Valley High School. On January 5, 1950, Bill was united in marriage to Cherry Corman, who survives in Pleasant Gap. In 1951, Bill received a degree from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he also taught from 1951 – 1956. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State in 1956, a Master of Science Degree in Zoology in 1959, and eventually he attained his Doctorate in Zoology in 1966.

Bill moved on to the McKeesport branch campus of Penn State University where he taught from 1956-1964. He eventually moved to the main campus at State College where he taught from 1965 – 1990. While teaching, he held the position of Coordinator of all faculty members in the Science Department throughout all the campus’. He also recruited Penn State football players to be Science majors. He received the C.I. Noll Award for excellence in Science in 1982.

When he was not teaching, Bill enjoyed fly fishing and hunting. He was a member the Penn State Nittany Lion Club, the Millheim Coffee Club and the Gravel Springs Hunting Lodge, where he had been a past president and captain. Bill served the community as a longtime volunteer of the local ambulance service.

In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by six children, Colleen Ross and Lisa Snead both of Pittsburgh, Valerie Mouery (Chuck) of Hershey, Kathy Neff (Robin) of Woodward, William Neff II (Vickie) of Marshall, VA and Allison Bell (Justin) of Centre Hall; eleven grandchildren, Nicole Lipkin, Billy Ross, Kristina Bekes, Kristen Mouery, Damon Bush, Dustin Hickey, Zachary Perkins, Brandon Hickey, Cash Thomas, Robert Slaventa and Lindsey Bell. Also surviving is one sister, Lois Bierly of Rebersburg and five great grandchildren, Dominic Bekes, Samara Lipkin, Zachary Perkins, Jr., Erik Lipkin and Jace Irwin. Bill was preceded in death by one brother, George Neff; one sister, Nanette Colyer; and one great grandson, Brycen Hickey.

Family and friends are invited to an informal gathering from 6-9 pm on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at the Gravel Springs Hunting Lodge, 246 Fox Gap Road, Rebersburg. The lodge is located 3 miles east of Rebersburg. Turn right off of Rte 192 onto Fox Gap Road and proceed till you come to the lodge. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bill may be given to Gravel Springs Lodge, Inc., c/o Steve Erdley, Treasurer, 2428 Charleston Dr., State College, Pa. 16801. All proceeds will be used for a cause near and dear to Bill’s heart, to purchase trees to replace dying hemlock at the camp.