Jan 11, 2018

Nicholas W. Baxter, 88, formerly of Christy Road, Eighty Four, died Wednesday, January 10, 2018, in McMurray Hills Manor.

He was born March 31, 1929, in Fayette City, a son of James and Celia Pitelka Baxter.

Mr. Baxter served during the occupation of Japan as a corporal with Company M, 187th Paraglider Infantry, 11th Airborne Division.

He attended Cecil and Canonsburg schools, Harrisburg Community College and Chambersburg Fire School.

Mr. Baxter was employed by Canonsburg Pottery during school years and Universal Cyclops Steel Co. for 20 years. He served as Deputy Sheriff of Washington County for two years and worked as a safety inspector for Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for 20 years, retiring in 1991.

He served on the Pennsylvania Executive Committee of the Democratic Party for 20 years, committeeman for three terms, and as a constable for two terms in Canonsburg.

Mr. Baxter was a member of Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church.

He was also a member of Knights of Pythias, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and a member of American Legion Post 902, the Lions, Eagles, Moose and Bears and French Club. He was a life member of National Council of Senior Citizens, an honorary member of United Steelworkers of America and a member of AFL-CLO, Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees, Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees and Static Line Airborne Organization. He served as past exalted ruler of Elks Lodge 846 and was the youngest exalted ruler at that time in the Southwest District. He was a lifelong member of Elks Lodge 846, Canonsburg.

On November 11, 1954, in West Alexander Methodist Church, he married his wife, Shirley Paraska, with whom he shared more than 58 years of marriage. Mrs. Baxter died May 2, 2013.

Surviving are two daughters, Debra Huseman and husband Jeffrey Sr. of Houston and Carol Stage and husband John Jr. of Ormond Beach, Fla.; three grandchildren, Jeffrey Huseman Jr. of Canonsburg, Nicholas Stage and Erika Stage, both of Ormond Beach; and a great-grandchild, Shelby Huseman of Canonsburg.

Deceased, in addition to his wife, Shirley Paraska Baxter, is a granddaughter, Leah Stage, who died October 2, 2016.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services Ltd., 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, Phillip L. Sollon, supervisor, J. David Sollon, director, 724-746-1000, where services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, January 15. Interment will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery, Chartiers Township.

The family kindly requests donations be made in Mr. Baxter’s name to Washington Area Humane Society.

To leave condolences, visit www.sollon.com.