Clifford Hearold Painter
WWII U.S. Navy veteran was active in church
Clifford Hearold Painter, 87, of Waynesburg, died Wednesday, October 2, 2013, in Golden Living Center in Waynesburg following a long illness.
He was born in Richwood, W.Va., March 14, 1926, a son of Charles Henry Painter Sr. and Bertha Elizabeth Bayne Painter Alkire.
Mr. Painter’s parents and ancestors were from the Rockbridge County, Virginia area.
After World War II, he lived in several places around the United States including some years in Staunton, Va., and other Rockbridge County areas. He lived in Waynesburg for the last 30 years and was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Waynesburg.
Mr. Painter was a retired construction worker and had also delivered milk.
He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, having served on active duty from July 2, 1943 to December 13, 1945 and as a member of the U.S. Navy reserve for many years. While on active duty, Painter served aboard the USS Lesuth (AK-125) and the USS Wren (DD568). He served part of his duty in the Aleutian Islands and participated in the Pacific theater of war. After supporting the invasion of Okinawa, he went to Japan and witnessed the signing of the Japanese-American peace treaty while anchored near the USS Missouri. He received the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 stars, WWII Victory Medal and Navy Occupation-Asia Clasp Medal.
Mr. Painter was well known by Waynesburg residents as the man who rode his wheelchair around town during all weather conditions, and subsequently had many adventures in doing so. He loved to sing and participated in his church’s activities, often singing for other organizations and senior homes. He taught himself to play the keyboard to accompany his singing and could often be heard singing and playing throughout the halls of his residence building. Computers caught his interest a few years ago and he taught himself to use one to communicate with his family and friends. He was a member of the Florida Clown Association.
He was one of nine children.
Surviving are sisters, Geraldine Tiller (Leonard) of Danville, Va., and Carolyn Wright of Clarksburg, W.Va.; children, Elizabeth Lohr (Lloyd) of Mt. Morris, Gloria Hodges of Wyaconda, Mo., Darla Hasty (Loren) of Peoria, Ill., Charlene Gilmore (Ronnie) of Pensacola, Fla., Charles Painter II of Camden, S.C., Penny Brown (Larry) of Camden, Linda Springer of Pensacola, Terry Jackson (Daryl) of Macon, Ga.; 22 grandchildren: 38 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a son, Clifford Hearold “Corkie” Painter Jr.; brothers, Homer, Eugene and Charles; and sisters, Catherin, Frances and Mildred.
Friends will be received from 6 to 7 p.m., the hour of services, Friday, October 4, in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 182 West High St., Waynesburg, with the Rev. William Sukolsky officiating. Private interment will be in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, College Fund, P.O. Box 446, Waynesburg, PA 15370. Condolences may be offered at www.behmfh.com.