Oct 8, 2023

Lois Ann Kridle Luxner Hlavac, Ph.D., 92, of Oakmont, went peacefully to be with her Lord Saturday, September 9, 2023, surrounded by family.

Lois was preceded in death by husbands, James V. Luxner, who died in 1972, and Theodore E Hlavac, Sr., who died in 1992; also by parents, Lena and John Kridle of Carmichaels; five brothers, William, Bernard, Charles, Leo and Robert; sister, Martha; and stepson, Paul Hlavac.

She graduated from Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University) with a B.S. in Business Administration, with high honors. After spending several years in retail management, accounting, and other business careers, she prepared for a career in education and received Master and PhD degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. A career of 22 years was dedicated to the Pittsburgh Public Schools as a teacher at Oliver High School and the supervisor of Business Education for the city schools. Lois also taught in Colorado, West Virginia, and Illinois.

Lois believed in hard work, and while at Drexel was awarded with the Outstanding Woman in Business Administration Award in 1952, and in 1977 was awarded for Outstanding Leadership in Business Education by the Pennsylvania Business Education Association. She was on the adjunct faculty of Robert Morris College and taught at Allegheny Community College.

Her interests included traveling with various groups to 86 countries, one of which was the National Education Association visiting the schools in China in 1978. Other hobbies included golfing at Shannopin Country Club and later with the Happy Hackers, an Oakmont group, and exercising with her Silver Sneakers friends. She was a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony for many years. She also volunteered with the St. Irenaeus Christian Education Program, which brought her much joy.

Lois is survived by her stepson, Ted Hlavac, Jr. of San Francisco, step- daughter-in-law, Margaret Hlavac and stepgranddaughters, Monica Gerlach (Erich) and their sons, Teddy A. and Jacob, and Diana LeFebvre (Dustin) and their son, Andrew and daughter, Celine, all of the Chicago area. Also surviving are 35 nieces and nephews; five godchildren; and her dear, helpful neighbor, Ken Opal.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 14, in Holy Family Parish – St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Oakmont, with Father Levi Hartle officiating. The family will receive guests prior to Mass, from 10 to 11 a.m., in the church narthex.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burket-Truby Funeral Home Cremation and Alternative Services, Inc., Oakmont.