Harold E. Buff

Harold E. Buff formerly of Sheakleyville, died peacefully at St. Paul’s on May 1, 2020 of natural causes.  He was a longtime teacher and guidance counselor for the Sandy Lake/Lakeview School System, well known insurance executive, and owner of the Harold E. Buff Funeral Home (currently Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home) in Sheakleyville, Pennsylvania.  He was 95.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lois, a daughter Joyce E. Hollinger, a son Ralph C. (Skip), and an infant grandson Ryan.  Lois was his wife of 61 years and daughter of the late Ralph and Jessie (Beggs) Clark of Perry Township.

Harold was born on August 27, 1924 in Wheatland and was the last survivor of seven brothers born to the late Heilman and Lillian Cole (Stoops) of Wheatland.  At a young age, Harold was adopted by Peter and Elizabeth Buff of Clarks Mills.    He attended Long School and was a graduate of Hadley High School, Thiel College, and the John Tyler School of Mortuary Science.

Harold proudly volunteered for service in the United Sates Navy on his birthday in 1942 and was honorably discharged at the conclusion of World War II. Throughout his life, Harold remained committed to American ideals and their importance in world affairs.  He revered small game hunting, Thanksgiving celebrations with family, the Detroit Tigers, and playing competitive softball.

Harold was blessed with four children, eleven grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Surviving are two sons, Richard and his wife Barbara from Lake Worth, Florida, Harold (Tad) and his wife Veronica from Piedmont, South Carolina, and a daughter-in-law Beverly from Meadville.

Surviving grandchildren include Deirdre and Jeffrey Hollinger (Joyce), Peter, Neily, John, and Jason Buff (Richard), Corrie Emerson (Skip), Sarah Dunn, Kristy and Andrew Buff (Tad).

Arrangements are entrusted to the Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 3223 Perry Hwy., Sheakleyville.  A future private family celebration with military honors will be held graveside at Hadley Cemetery where he will be laid to rest next to his wife.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.snyderfh.com

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