Edward J. Hornung, 80, of 616 Sunset Road, St. Marys, died on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016 at Penn Highlands DuBois.
He was born on July 28, 1936, on Plank Road Hollow in Emporium, a son of the late Simon J. Hornung and Matilda "Tillie" Oswald Hornung.
On July 3, 1965, in Holy Cross Church in Rasselas, he married Dr. Clythera Smith Hornung, who survives.
Ed graduated from Emporium High School in the Class of 1956, and he had additional schooling at Williamsport Tech for plumbing. He was employed at Sylvania in Emporium, Emporium Water Co., the PA Highway Department as a Surveyor Assistant, Johnstown Steel Co. and Airco-Speer.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Clythera Smith Hornung, a son, Simon J. Hornung II and his wife Terri Wilson Hornung and their daughter McKenzie Lee Hornung; a daughter, Stacey J. Hornung Miller and her husband Timothy J. Miller and their children Gregory J. Miller and Caroline A. Miller; nieces and nephews, the children of James and Sandra Hornung: Dennis, Vince, Karen Hornung Czekai, Julie Hornung Coolick, Amy Hornung Thwing and Paul, and the children of Edward and Jane Hornung Soban: Tom Soban, Diane Soban Boyd, Lynn Soban and Tina Soban May.
He was predeceased by his father, Simon J. Hornung, on April 21, 1989; his mother, Matilda “Tillie” Oswald Hornung on Aug. 1, 2003; brother, James Simon Hornung, on Aug. 22, 2012; sister, Jane Hornung Soban, on May 19, 2014; twin brother, Bernard G. Hornung, on Feb. 17, 2016; and two nephews, son of James and Sandra Hornung: Blair, and son of Bernard and Thelma Hornung: David Hornung.
Ed was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Ed was involved in numerous community organizations. He was active in the early days of Little League in Emporium. He was a member of the Emporium Fire Department. He was a founder of the wrestling booster club (The Bagubas) at Cameron County High School.
After he moved to St. Marys with his family in the late 1970s he was involved in the Quarterback Club, and was a founder of an early booster club for the St. Marys Area track team. Ed organized the first booster group for soccer as a varsity sport at St. Marys Area. He was also an active member of the Kiwanis Club.
More recently he was engaged in the political activities of the Elk County Republican Party. He served as party chairperson and was a member of the Republican State Committee. Ed’s leadership encouraged active party participation and supported the election of sufficient Republicans that the Elk County Court House was considered a leadership stronghold of Republicans.
In addition to Ed’s concern for youth and his support of local politics, he was a talented artist.  He was a wood carver, having done numerous carvings of birds with very intricate details. He also was very competent in making stained glass pieces — those with leaded joints. He had the “eye of an artist” in selecting textures and colors that enhanced the design and made his work outstanding examples of creativity. He also was a basket weaver — using his strong hands to make useful and artistically attractive creations that are “one of a kind”. He used wood in creative ways to construct attractive useful items — such as those that he made in basket shapes (from wood). He also made decorative items involving many varieties of wood in designs that were unique and very creative.  
He shared his expertise with several churches in the area including Sacred Heart and St. Boniface. He was responsible for the oversight of the restoration of the stained glass windows at Sacred Heart while serving as chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. At St. Boniface, in the same role he provided expertise and guidance for the brick restoration of the exterior of the church. These are just some examples of how he shared his time and expertise for the welfare of many.
As a current member of the Zoning Board of the City of St. Marys, Ed was dedicated to compliance with City ordinances, providing that these did not cause undue hardship to residents unless it was necessary for the general welfare of all.
Ed was devoted to his church, his community and his family.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Edward J. Hornung will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church, 337 Center St., St. Marys, with the Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mark's Cemetery in Emporium.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home.
Donations in memory of Edward J. Hornung may be made to the St. Marys Area School Foundation, which is a 501c3. Contribution checks may be sent to the following address: St. Marys Area School Foundation, Edward J. Hornung Memorial Fund, Attention: Louise Johnson, 977 S. St. Marys Road, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Lynch-Green Funeral Home, 151 N. Michael Street, St. Marys, PA is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be placed at www.LynchGreenFuneralHome.com