Francis J. Resch

Francis J. "Buzzie" Resch, 94, of Bucktail Road, St. Marys, died on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Pinecrest Manor following a brief illness.

He was born on August 6, 1923, in St. Marys, a son of the late John and Anna Kletzer Resch.

On July 13, 1946 in Force, PA, he married Elizabeth "Bette" Gralak Resch, who preceded him in death on June 28, 2009.  Together they enjoyed more than 63 years of marriage,

Mr. Resch was a lifelong resident of the area and a member of Queen of the World Church.  He served in the U.S. Army during WWII, and was deployed to Normandy on June 9, 1944.  He was with the troops under General Patton who liberated the Dachau death camps.  During his service, he was twice wounded and was the recipient of two Purple Hearts.  He was also awarded the Good Conduct Medal, 5 Bronze Stars, the Victory Medal and the Distinguished Unit Badge.  He was discharged on December 5, 1945.  In 1969, he started his own business, St. Marys Metal Finishing.  He went on to start Advanced Heat Treating after that, retiring in 1978.  He was the founder of the Beagle Club and enjoyed gardening, fishing, and his chickens.  Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his great-grandchildren.

He is survived by a daughter, Cynthia Herzing of Ridgway, two grandchildren, Bliss (Marc) Schlank of West Grove, PA, and Andrew (Lily) Herzing of Rockville, MD, as well as by three great-granddaughters, Aerin, Carrie, and Anna Schlank.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, Billy and Anna Herzing, his son-in-law, Anthony Herzing, three sisters, Marie Resch, Bertha DeGroat, and Audrey Smith, and by three brothers, Bernard, Charles and Paul Resch.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Francis J. Resch will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at 11:00 AM at Queen of the World Church, 134 Queens Road, St. Marys, PA with Rev. Jeffery Noble, Pastor, officiating.
Interment will follow in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.
Military Honors will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen's Burial Detail.

Visitation will be held at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Ridgway Public Library, 329 Center Street, Ridgway, PA 15853.

Lynch-Green Funeral Home, 151 N. Michael St., St. Marys, is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be made to the family at www.lynchgreenfuneralhome.com

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