S. Carpenter

S. Burdette Carpenter, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend died peacefully on April 18, 2005 in the Rutan-area family farmhouse where he was born on June 8, 1917, the son of J. Leslie and Velma Meek Carpenter.Growing up, Burdette played violin in the Grange Junior Orchestra, graduated Center Township High School in 1935, and attended Penn Commercial in Washington, Pennsylvania for Business.He married Bettie L. Blake on September 30, 1946, and had 5 children, 8 grandchildren, and 5 great-grand children. His favorite pastimes in his retirement were joking with family and friends, raising his cows, and sitting on the porch of the family farmhouse watching the "traffic" not go by. His ever-present smile will sorely be missed by many.Burdette was a lifelong member of Rogersville United Methodist Church where he was a former member of the choir and served as a trustee for many years. He always carried lifesavers and gum to give the children at church.He operated a farm with his family throughout his life, initially as a dairy and later as a beef cattle farm. In addition, he was a member of Local 186 of the Building and Trades Labor Union of Brownsville, working construction for many years. In 1971, he became Assistant Superintendent of Highways for Greene County Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. He retired from PennDOT in 1979 as Superintendent of Highways for Greene County.Burdette was a 58 year member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge Graysville #165, holding all offices within the local lodge and was Trustee of the Grand Lodge and Honorary Past Grand Chancellor. He was a charter member of the West Greene Area Lions Club, a member of the Elks Club(Waynesburg), a 75-year member of Harvey's Grange and a member of the Center Township V.F.D. He was an active member of the Democratic Party, serving as a Democratic Committeeman for many years.Burdette is survived by his wife Bettie, son John and wife Holly (Orndoff) Carpenter, daughter Linda and husband Tad Klaner, son Kevin and wife Armina (Price) Carpenter, daughter Peggy Carpenter; granddaughters Heather Klaner-Wilson, Tiffany and husband Thomas Hart, Angie and husband Luke VanDyne, and Jessica Carpenter; grandsons Jason Carpenter, Todd Klaner, Justin and wife Jessica (Tedrow) Carpenter, and Glenn Klaner; great granddaughters Sydknee Carpenter, Kaylen Klaner-Wilson, Mackenzie Carpenter, Lexie VanDyne; great grandson Ian VanDyne; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.His brother Charles L. Carpenter and a son, Donald, are deceased.The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Rogersville U.M. Church, 102 Church St., Rogersville, Pa. 15359.