M. Wayne Podvia
M. Wayne Podvia, age 79, of Hopwood, Pa., passed away Saturday, June 29, 2002, in Mount Macrina Manor, Uniontown, Pa. He was born December 18, 1922, in West Newton, Pa., son of the late Harry F. and Katherine Fulmer Podvia.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a brother, Robert Podvia, and a sister, Phyllis Podvia Kelley.
Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Lois Frankenbery Podvia; one son, Mark W. Podvia of Carlisle, Pa.; a brother, Harry Podvia of Rostraver, Pa.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wayne was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Uniontown. He had previously belonged to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Newton, Pa.
He was a 32nd Degree Mason. He held membership and was Past Master of Blyth Lodge No. 593 F.&A.M., West Newton, a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 49th Masonic District, a former Trustee of the Patton Masonic School for Boys in Elizabethtown, Pa., a former Instructor and Vice-Principal at the School of Instruction, Charleroi, Pa., and a member of the Zembo Shrine, Harrisburg, Pa.
He was a former Scouter having served as Neighborhood Commissioner in West Newton and as Advancement Chairman of Troop 190 in Grantham, Pa.
He was a Veteran of World War II serving as Sergeant in the United States Army Air Corps.
He served as a Flight Engineer in the China-Burma-India Theater.
He was a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, and held a Doctorate Degree in Vocational Education from Penn State University.
He taught Industrial Arts in the Hempfield School District from 1949 to 1962 and was thereafter employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He retired as Director of the Department’s Retraining Section in 1982.
He was a Charter Member of the V.F.W. Post 7812, West Newton, and a Lifetime Member of General George C. Marshall AMVETS Post 103, Hopwood.
He was also a member of Theta Chapter of Iota Lambda Sigma.
He was an avid fisherman, hiker and outdoorsman, and enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles and travel.
Friends will be received in the DONALD R. CRAWFORD FUNERAL HOME, Hopwood, Pa., today, July 1, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Tuesday everyone is to meet at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gallatin Avenue, Uniontown, at 11 a.m. for the Funeral Service with Rev. Paul N. Frank, his Pastor, officiating.
Interment will be in West Newton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Albert Gallatin Home Care and Hospice, 20 Highland Park Drive, Uniontown, PA 15401 or St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 71 North Gallatin Avenue, Uniontown, PA 15401.
Blyth Lodge No. 593 will hold Masonic Services in the Funeral Home today at 7:30 p.m.