Born on October 28, 1915 in DuBois, he was the son of the late Roland R. and Rilla (Murdock) Bechtel. He was married for 74 years to Lenora (Logan) Bechtel before her death six months ago.
He was a lifelong resident of DuBois and graduated from DuBois High School in 1933.
Mr. Bechtel was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church in DuBois, served on Morningside Cemetery Board, DuBois Housing Authority Management Board. He was the oldest active member of 4th Ward Hose Company of the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department. He once served as Alderman in the 4th Ward. He was a member of the American Legion Post 17 and he also served on the Clearfield county and DuBois area Board of Realtors.
He enjoyed a short career in automobile sales in DuBois prior to moving his young family to Buffalo, NY, for a few years where he worked as a machinist for Chevrolet Division of General Motors Corporation. This was during the early years of WWII. Following his induction into the military by the DuBois draft board, he was sent to the Asiatic Pacific Theatre of Operations. He served with rank of a Sergeant with the Army Corp of Engineers on the main island of Japan.
Mr. Bechtel began his insurance and real estate brokerage firm, the Bechtel Agency, in DuBois in the early 1950's. He built the business into a successful enterprise, one that included the brokerage of the sale of the land where the DuBois Mall is situated. He retired from the business in the mid 1980's. He turned his agency and office over to his granddaughter and her husband, Nina and Robert Knox.
He is survived by a son, Roland E. (Janet) Bechtel, Jr, four grandchildren: Bradley (Jane) Bechtel of Harrisburg, Nina (Robert) Knox of Treasure Lake, Roland (Kimberlee) Bechtel III of Sunman, IN, and Charles (Jill) Bechtel of Lebanon, OH; nine great grandchildren: Austin, Brandon, Jeff, Roland, Joe, Tabytha, Tiffany, Libby, and Grady; and ten great great grandchildren: Logan, Landen, Leanna, Riley, Heath, Natalie, Connor, Alexis, Shyla Rose, and Kayleeann.
Mr. Bechtel was preceded in death by his father, mother, stepfather, Robert Pollock, his wife, son, Charles L. Bechtel, daughter-in-law, Linda (Grady) Bechtel, grandson, Grady Bechtel, a sister, Aldene Pollock, three brothers: Earl Bechtel and Trevor and Robert Pollock.
Funeral services will be held at the Mohney-Yargar Funeral Chapel, Inc. on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 12:00 PM with Rev. Dr. Debra Rogosky officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the DuBois Area Honor Guard following the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in Morningside Cemetery.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM and on Saturday from 10:30 AM until the hour the services at noon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Manor, 1100 West Long Ave., DuBois, PA 15801.
On line tributes may be made at www.mohney-yargarfuneralchapel.com.
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