Richard Lyons

Richard D. Lyons, 84, of Claysville, Pa. died at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in The Washington Hospital, Washington, Pa. following a brief illness.He was born November 4, 1928 in Dormont, Pa. a son of the late John Conrad and Helen Regina Calhoon Lyons and had resided in the Washington area prior to moving to Claysville in 1964.Mr. Lyons was an active and involved member of the Claysville United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee, served on the pastor parish relations committee, and was a lay leader and teacher with the Washington District of the United Methodist Churches.He was a 1946 graduate of the former Dormont High School, and in 1953 he earned his BS degree in education from Penn State University and later earned his Masters Equivalent. Mr. Lyons was employed as a Vo-Ag teacher for 33 years, first at Trinity High School, the former Claysville High School and last at the McGuffey High School prior to retiring in 1986.He was employed as a maintenance director at the former Camp Variety for Spina Bifida in Marshall Twp. following his retirement from teaching.Mr. Lyons was a member of the Penn State Alumni Association, Washington County Chapter of School Retirees, the NRA and PSERS.He was also an active community volunteer serving on the Claysville borough council and had served as the zoning officer for many years, and was a volunteer and advisory board member of the Communities That Care in Claysville and had served on the board of the Spina Bifida Association.Mr. Lyons enjoyed traveling and camping with his entire family, hunting, fishing and woodworking, gardening and had presided over, and made all the flower arrangements for two of his grandchildren's weddings.On December 23, 1950 he married Jean Louise McDermott who survives.Also surviving are a son, Richard D. Lyons, Jr., husband of Beverly Lyons of Cambridge, Ohio; three daughters, Kathy Shaner, companion of Larry Grimm of Washington, Deborah, wife of William Kennedy of New Cumberland, Pa., and Connie Reinke of Yorktown, Va.; eleven grandchildren, Jeremy, Sabrina, Joshua and Zachariah Shaner, Diana Simmons, Jean McFarland, Mandy Lyons, Jackie Diggs, Stephanie McGowan, Jonna Watlet and Sarah Kennedy; 13 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.Deceased in addition to his parents is a son, John T. Lyons who died in 1993.The family suggests memorial contributions be made to either the Claysville U.M. Church or your local chapter of the Spina Bifida Association.