Wilbert James Godfrey

Wilbert James Godfrey, 93, of Tarentum passed away Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Good Samaritan Hospice of Concordia, Cabot after a brief illness. Prior to that he was in good health still being able to go on his daily walks. Wilbert was born January 26, 1925 on W 9^th Ave, Tarentum. He attended Tarentum High School until he was drafted out of his senior year to serve in the US Army in WWII. He experienced heavy combat fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. Because the US Army didn’t have enough boots to issue to the troops, he was eventually hospitalized with frozen feet, which bothered him throughout his life. Being very “anti war”, he always said that “war is stupid and solves nothing”.

            Meeting at a local YMCA dance in 1949, Wilbert married Shirley Regina Southward, Tarentum; they recently celebrated 70 years of marriage together. Wilbert loved going to his summer camp at Tidioute, PA which he built in 1950. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with his family. He especially loved watching his grandson and great grandsons playing baseball. Upon retiring from PPG, Creighton Plant as a millwright, he winter vacationed in Florida with his wife and visiting family.

            Surviving is his loving wife Shirley Regina (Southward) Godfrey, sister Dorothy Shultz, three sons, William “Bill” Godfrey, John (Karen) Godfrey and Arthur (Chris) Godfrey; grandson Patrick (Shannon) Godfrey and great grandchildren Chase Godfrey, Mason Smith, Payton Godfrey, Zander Godfrey, step grandchild Gentry Kerwood and step great grandchildren Katlyn Smith and Nolan Loskoch. Preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Dorothy (Tellhoister) Godfrey, Brother Arthur Godfrey, sisters Florence Godfrey and June Corcetti and a granddaughter Kelly Godfrey Smith and her unborn baby Gabriel John.

            Visitation 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday in the Duster Funeral Home, Inc. 347 E 10^th Ave, Tarentum, 724-224-1526.  Private burial will be in Mt.     Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidioute Volunteer Fire Department, 224 Main St., Tidioute, PA 16351. VISIT: dusterfh.com