James J. "Jim" McDermott

Mr. McDermott was born October 17, 1920 in Clearfield, the son of Joseph J. and Eleanor (Berthot) McDermott.

He had been employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a window clerk for 23 years, retiring in 1979.

Mr. McDermott was a lifelong member of the St. Francis Roman Catholic Church, Clearfield.

He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran, having served as a navigator on a B-17 Flying Fortress during WWII. His plane was shot down, and he was held as a German prisoner of war at Stalag Luft III. He and his fellow POWS were liberated by General Patton at the end of the war. He continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserve to retirement.

Mr. McDermott was a member of the Clearfield County Historical Society, the Clearfield Elks Lodge #540 and the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6.

He is survived by three daughters: Kathleen Nannery (James) of Auburn, WA, Diane E. Mathews of Olympia, WA, and Lynne M. Dudurich (Randy) of Springfield, VA; a daughter-in-law Michele McDermott of Seven Fields, PA; three grandchildren: Jacob W. Nannery (Kristen), Kyla M. Galbraith (Jason) and Joseph J. McDermott (Ashley); and two great grandchildren.

Mr. McDermott was the last member of his generation having been preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Julia M. “Judy” (Mann) McDermott whom he married June 30, 1945 and who passed away September 13, 2002, a son, Joseph M. McDermott, and all his siblings; Laura Carr, Joan Undercoffer, Emma Veihdeffer, Clemence McDermott, Thomas McDermott and Regina McDermott.

Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 27, 2015 at St. Francis Roman Catholic Church with Father John Miller III as celebrant. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the Clearfield Honor Guard.

Friends will be received at the Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc., of Clearfield on Thursday, February 26, 2015 from 3-5 and 7-9PM. The Clearfield Elks Lodge #540 will conduct a service at the funeral home at 6:45PM.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the St. Francis Educational Endowment Fund, 212 S. Front St., Clearfield, PA 16830.

To send online tributes go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com

Arrangements under the direction of Bennett & Houser Funeral Home, Clearfield, PA.