Daniel Michael Szczygiel
Footedale
Daniel Michael Szczygiel, 75, of Footedale, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va.
He was born on May 10, 1951, in Uniontown.
Daniel was a lifelong resident of Footedale, at his family home and a lifelong member of St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church of Footedale, now St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, where he could boast of never missing a Mass.
Daniel was preceded in death by his father, Walter in 1981, his mother, Ann Kobylarz in 2001, and brother, Robert in 2011.
Daniel is survived by his two brothers, Walter (Jane) Szczygiel, Jr. of Greensburg and Richard Szczygiel and Karen Sullivan of Jeffries Crossing.
Daniel graduated from German Township High School in 1969, and attended California University of Pennsylvania before entering The United States Navy in 1971 through 1975. He was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Independence as a structural and jet engine mechanic. He did multiple cruises in the Mediterranean and was temporarily stationed at Souda Bay Airfield on Crete.
Upon returning to The United States, he began working at Bethlehem Mining in Eighty Four, as a supply man and later a mason. Eventually, he retired at Consol Coal in Blacksville, W.Va. with 40 years of service.
Daniel was an avid reader and enjoyed working the fruit orchard and berry gardens that he planted with his brother, Richard on their Gentleman’s Farm. He loved baking berry pies for the local church bake sales. Some of the ladies referred to him as “The Pie-Man.”
He enjoyed walking the various trails in the area and daily three mile walks at The Dunlap Creek Park.
After retirement, he was an avid participant in the Wednesday night walks that visited numerous points of interest in the area. Annually, his interest took him and his brother, Walter to the wildflower pilgrimage in The Canaan Valley and Black Water Falls in West Virginia, in attendance for nearly 30 consecutive years. He truly enjoyed birding.
Daniel passed after a long battle with lymphoma and Parkinson’s Disease. He will be forever missed by all who knew him, and especially by his family members.
A special thanks go out to those who cared for him at UPMC/Hillman in Uniontown and The Cancer Clinic at Ruby Memorial Hospital.
Friends will be received in The Dearth Funeral Home, 35 South Mill Street, New Salem, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday October 4, and until 9:30 a.m. Monday, October 5, where a Prayer Service will be held followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church of Footedale. Interment will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery of Footedale where Full Military Rites will be accorded by The Hopwood AMVETS Post #103.
www.dearthfh.com