William H. Lazar

William Lazar, 81, of 312 Pinoak Dr., died at 4:30 p.m. Sunday January 22, 2012 at UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh.

A son of William and Pauline Shula Lazar he was born on June 14, 1930 on a 200 acre farm near Bushy Run, Westmoreland County. The family farm produced swine and dairy cattle and 40 acres of corn and other vegetables. As a youth Bill spent 11 active years as a 4-H member. He completed many projects in beef, capons and swine production. He won many state4-H honors as a member of the poultry demonstration team. He attended the National 4-H Congresses from 1946-1948. He showed at the Pittsburgh Livestock Auction and won the ?Ton Litter Award? which included a cash prize that paid his Penn State tuition. While at Penn State he was a member of the award winning judging team, this team competed against other agricultural colleges in livestock, swine, poultry, wool grading and meat identification. He worked at the University horse barns tending the P.S Morgans and Persians stabled there. He received the first Allan Baker 4-H Scholarship. He received his degree in animal husbandry from Penn State in May 1953.

In June 1953 he was hired as the Agricultural Agent for PSU Extension in Lehigh County. He was drafted into the U.S. Army October 8, 1953 and trained at Aberdeen Training Center prior to being sent to Fort Sam Houston for medical lab training. Upon learning of his assignment to Germany he married the former Mary Lou Hostetler on May 8, 1954. He then proceeded to the 20th FSH Hospital at Bad Krueshnak where he was in charge of lab work and had the opportunity to tour Europe. He completed his tour of duty at Landstuhl Hospital teaching hematology.

Upon his discharge from the service he came to Venango County as the Agricultural Agent, County Extension Director. Bill was responsible for the 4-H program working with over 600 members and 250 volunteer leaders. He began 4-H programs in electricity, photography, camping and horsemanship

With the help of volunteers he organized the first 4-H Fair in Venango County in 1957 which has grown into the Venango County Fair. Under his leadership the Venango County Fairgrounds has grown from an original land donation of 7 acres.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Franklin Elks Lodge and The American Legion. Bill was Penn State proud, enjoyed his grandchildren and had a special interest in horticulture, working with landscaping and his greenhouse. He had been a long time active member of the Franklin Shade Tree Commission.

Surviving along with his wife of 57 years are a son Bill Lazar and his wife Lori of Gibsonia; a daughter Lisbeth ?Beth? Cummings and her husband Eric of Polk; 5 grandchildren Alyssa and Bill Lazar of Gibsonia, Cody Cummings of Greensburg, and Tara and Erica Cummings of Polk. Also surviving are a brother Jim E. Lazar of Greensburg and numerous loving and caring nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Pauline Syster and a sister-in-law Doris Lazar.

Friends will be received in the Huff Chapel, 312 W. Park St., from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral services will be held in the First United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. Jeff Little, pastor, officiating.

Interment will follow in Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont.