Elbert A. Kuhns, III, “Bert,” died Saturday, December 6, 2025, in his home in Clarksville, PA. Bert was born March 4, 1941, in Steubenville, Ohio, to the late Elbert A II and Margaret Kuhns. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Furman Kuhns, whom he married on June 13, 1959. He was the father of Liz Kuhns-Boyle (Jeffrey Jones), Clarksville, Heather Kuhns Cuss (Richard Cuss), Monongahela, Jeffrey Kuhns (Lisa Moore Kuhns), Millerstown, and Joe Kuhns (Kim Kolat Kuhns), Clarksville; the grandfather of Sam Cuss (Anna), Norfolk, VA, Hattie Wilson (Skyler), Sandy Lake, Olivia Kuhns, Philadelphia, Maggie Boccella, Monongahela, Kennedy Kuhns (Austin Butler), Ft Meyers, FL, Jonathan Boccella, Monongahela, Joshua Cuss, Ouezzane, Morrocco, Colby Kuhns, Clarksville, and Emma Cuss, Columbus, OH, and great grandfather of Berklie Wilson, brother of Gayle Vermillion, Louisville, KY and Ruth Hesson, Huntington, WV as well as uncle and cousin to his beloved family. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Caitlyn Mayfair and Posey Defibaugh.
Bert graduated with a BA degree in English from Wheeling College and later earned an MS Ed degree from California State College. He taught English at Bethlehem Center Junior High, followed by service as a guidance counselor at Bethlehem Center Elementary, before retiring - or so his family thought. He then spent two years as the principal at Bethlehem Center Middle School. In 1999, he was ordained a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, serving at St. Matthias Catholic Parish until retiring in 2022.
A Celebration of Life Mass will be led by Fr. Francis Frazier on Friday, December 12, at 11:00 AM at St. Marcellus Church, 1340 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, PA. Friends and family will be received in the church hall following the Mass. In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can be made to St. Matthias Parish. Donations can be sent to St. Matthias Parish, St. Ann Office, 232 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370.
