Lee E. Wertz Jr,

November 25,1923-November 25, 2024

Lee E. Wertz, Jr., the embodiment of what has now become known as The Greatest Generation, passed away peacefully, at the age of 101, surrounded by his loved ones.

"Skee" as he was affectionately known, was born in Tyrone, PA. He described his early life as humble, growing up in an atmosphere of scarcity- though to him, it was simply all he knew. In 1940, Skee graduated from Tyrone high school, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and developing a deep love for music. He practiced the violin for hours and played the French horn in the high school band, Legion Drum Core and church orchestra. His "favorite subjects in school were algebra and humor". Though he had a great desire for creative writing, his English teacher would have none of it, however he did prove her wrong by writing beautiful, stories, poems and tributes throughout his life. In 1941 he enrolled in the Mansfield state teacher's college to pursue music. However, the Army Air Force rescued him from teaching music by calling him for service on his 19th birthday.

Captain Lee E. Wertz proudly served as a P-47 Thunderbolt (Jug) fighter pilot with the 9th Army Air Force's 366TH Fighter Group during WWII. Over the course of 70 combat missions he was shot down but managed to land his plane behind friendly lines, to continue his duty in his aircraft ," Mission Bell". Lee earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal w/ 9 Oak Leaf clusters, Belgium Fourragere, European Theater Operations w/4 Battle Stars, and the WW II Victory Medal. Despite his achievements, he humbly insisted he did nothing heroic-claiming the true heroes were the ones that never returned.

After the war, Skee took advantage of the GI bill to earn a degree in engineering from Penn State. On October 12th, 1948, he married Frances Marian Schneider, who preceded him in death after relishing 72 years of marriage with "the love of his life". Together, Lee and Fran built a beautiful family with four children: Ann (Richard Knab), Susan, Barbara (Charlie Leiden) and James (Christine Dennis)," the most beautiful family anyone could imagine"! Eleven grandchildren, one infant preceding him in death and eleven great grandchildren.

Skee retired from Sylvania as an industrial engineer but continued to provide opportunities for his children by investing in a car wash and a farm located in his beloved Sinking Valley. Together with Fran, they owned and operated the Family Boutique dress shop for many years. Skee was also instrumental in adorning the downtown area of Tyrone with beautiful shade trees. Known for his sense of humor and love of life he established cherished traditions for his family, such as cutting down a 12-foot Christmas tree each year, picking 40 lbs of blueberries with grandchildren and organizing a senior citizens' Stroll in the Park for the community of Tyrone. His labors of love provided a loving, safe and beautiful upbringing for his family.

Skee's pastimes and leisure activities included golfing, not one, but two' holes in one' at Sinking Valley Country Club, bowling, creating tools to get the job done, a plethora of inventions that should have been patented, and creating a "Secret Garden" every year in his beautifully landscaped property for him and Fran to enjoy a glass of port.

Skee's humility, patience and virtuous qualities made him unforgettable to all who crossed his path. To sum up his philosophy on family, we share one of his heartfelt writings,

The Rhapsody of Family;

Let our family ties reflect the Symphony of love which binds us with the melody of life's joyous experiences and the harmony of sharing.

May each child be a song of delightful innocence with the love they receive.

May the traumas of life's trials be muted by shared sympathies and consolation.

May the music never stop.

Skee's legacy lives on in the lives of all who loved him. His memory will forever resonate like a beautiful melody- a Symphony of love, humor, and wisdom.

An 11 am funeral mass for Lee E Wertz, Jr., will take place on Monday, December 2, 2024, at Saint Matthew's church. Friends will be received from 10 am until the time of mass at St. Matthew Catholic Church with Father Michael Pleva officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or Saint Matthew's Church.