Sales rep was colorful and caring dad
DONALD NEEPER Died May 22, 2015
To Teresa Bradley, her father, Donald Neeper, will always be the outspoken and gregarious “natty dresser” with a pompadour.
The retired Westinghouse sales representative and Forest Hills resident was a “lifelong rabblerouser,” said Ms. Bradley, of Monroeville. His love for music and dedication to volunteering in his community were unsurpassed, she said.
“As we were growing up, while everybody else was getting a lot of flak about listening to the Beatles, my dad would listen along with us,” she said. “He was the wild man of the neighborhood. The neighbors would complain about him blasting the stereo to his tunes, not ours.”
That liveliness characterized her father, she said, as he carried the personality of a “people-loving salesman” for the rest of his life. He died Friday at the age of 87.
He grew up in North Braddock along Bessemer Terrace. He began what would become his greatest passion — playing the drums — while attending Scott High School. He played in the marching band, where he met his wife, Maxine Petrick, who was a majorette.
After leaving his day job at Westinghouse in the power and circuit breaker division in Trafford, he would take his wife out with him at night to play gigs with his band at strip clubs and jazz joints along Liberty Avenue.
“Imagine my mom, a little Age church 34, lady,of Newin the Brighton,strip died on Saturday, May 23, clubs 2015. with Loving him son justof Lawrencetalking to John the Heck ladies,” and Ms. MichaleneBradley said McMullen;with a beloved chuckle. stepson“It was of alwaysAmy Hecka lot and of Tom comfort McMullen;and a cherishedlot of fun to have grandsona dad like of Rebecca Defrancisco and Edith that Mae who Janke; was beloved very father colorful.” of Canaan Harelik; the love of his life, Mr. Angela Neeper Harelick;once brought loving home brothera memberof Lee Annof his Heck; band and and stepbrotherthe reigningof Amber, Miss Kirk Argentina, and Brad McMullen, Lindi Talkington; who cherished happened uncle to of Cameron Dawson. Family will receive friends Wednesday May 27, 2015, from 6-9 p.m. at Edward M. Herrick Supervisor/Owner, 951 Cliff Mine Rd., N. Fayette Twp., Imperial, PA, 724-695-7332, where a funeral service will take place Thursday, May 28, 2015, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Columbkille Cemetery, Imperial, PA. be in the audience of their performance and who taught his daughters to dance the bossa nova, Ms. Bradley said. One of the highlights of his musical career was the opportunity to play with the Benny Goodman Orchestra at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
He was also an active and longtime member of the Forest Hills Lions Club and the Forest Hills Auxiliary Police. His daughter Lee Ann Sandusky said participating in ride-alongs with Forest Hills police was one of his greatest pleasures, along with watching the Steelers play.
“He was the one who was always chasing us through the woods when we were underage drinking and taught us to make out under street lights so cops wouldn't come interrupt you,” she said. “He wanted to make sure all the things he loved about his community were maintained. He made sure he was going to be heard.”
Every Thursday, he would eat breakfast with a group of men, including his friend Henry Van Dyke at his favorite restaurant, Jodi B’s, along Ardmore Boulevard in Forest Hills. He would order the same dish every week — a breakfast sandwich with egg and tomato on a bagel — his friend of more than 50 years said.
“They always knew exactly what he wanted as soon as he would walk in,” Mr. Van Dyke said. “He was just a great guy. He’d do anything for you at a moment's notice.”
Mr. Neeper is survived by his daughters, Susan Daniher, Ms. Bradley and Ms. Sandusky; and his son, Mark Neeper.
A commemoration for Mr. Neeper will be held at Jodi B’s restaurant from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. FuneralAge 56, arrangementson Saturday, are May being23, 2015, madeof Brentwood.through the Father Patrickof DanielleT. Lanigan Lammert Funeral Smith, Home Venessaof East Lammert Pittsburgh. Luther, Timothy Lammert and the late Steven Lammert; Pap pap of Christopher, Nadine, Dakota, Shiloh and Juna; beloved son of Charles and Beatrice Lammert; brother of Debbie, Karen, Cyndee, Marcia and Kimmy; also survived by his former wife Patricia Mackewich; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Bob will be remembered for his second to none french toast. Among other things, he was a great story teller, a legendary fisherman, a skilled artist, and a hardworker. Friends will be received at the
412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, 15227, Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and Thursday from 2 until the time of funeral service at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family. Please send condolences to:
www.johnfslater.com
Diane McClelland, aged 74, passed on to God at Saint Margaret's Hospital on May 24, 2015, after lengthy complications from a broken hip. Left behind are her husband, Richard, who loves her greatly. Diane was born in New Rochelle, NY as the daughter of Glenn and Harry Davidson. Diane subsequently met her husband, Richard, while a Student Nurse at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland. The above photo is how her husband of 52 years prefers to remember her when they first met. Diane went on to public health nursing until her daughter, Allyson, was born. Diane will be greatly missed by her husband, daughter, and granddaughter, Abey…and her many friends. Her sunny disposition and wise council were without peer. Diane was a breast cancer survivor and would have requested, in lieu of flowers, that contributions be sent to a related charity. Viewing will be from 2 to 4, and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at the 1032 Perry Hwy., Ross Twp., 412-364-4444, where a Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2015. Additional Visitation from 12:30 p.m. Wednesday until time of Service. Condolences may be offered at www.brandtfuneralhome.com
On May 25, 2015, of Bellevue, after a long illness, John G. "Jack" Miller died at home surrounded by his children. He was the husband of the late Betty ( Menigat) Miller for 60 happy years; he is survived by his loving children, Larry (Patti) Miller, Rev. Robert J. Miller, Carol (Roy) Heil, Marty Miller, Paul ( Jackie) Miller, Elizabeth (Brendan) McGuire, and Patrick (Tina) Miller; he adored being "Pap- Pap" to Sarah (DJ), Brad, Eric (Amanda), Garrett (Sawyer), Dan, Justin, Brian, Julie, Katie, Martin, Jack, Patrick, Mia, Nina, and Nicholas; and great- grandfather of Halle; also "Pap-Pap" to Ian, Danielle, and AJ; Jack is also survived by his brother, Thomas F. Miller (Ginny) of Kennedy Township; a dear friend, Patte Hollenberger; and many nieces and nephews. He was the devoted son of the late C.F. and Helen Purcell Miller. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday at the
460 Lincoln Avenue, Bellevue. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Church of the Assumption, Bellevue, on Friday (Time Later). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Assumption Church, Assumption School or the Assumption St. Vincent DePaul Society. He was a retired employee of H.J. Heinz Company after 41 years and served our country in the Navy during WWII.