Lloyd Hubert Pyle

Lloyd Hubert Pyle Jr., 75, of 374 Sugarcreek Drive, Franklin, a retired PennDOT employee, died at 3:02 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. Born Feb. 19, 1934, in Franklin, he was the son of Lloyd Hubert and Pearl Izetta Eckelberger Pyle. He attended Franklin High School. Mr. Pyle was inducted into the U.S. Army on August 27, 1956, and received basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He was later stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., in the 11th Airborne Division. Early in March 1957, he departed for Germany as part of "Operation Gyroscope." He was discharged in 1958. He was married Oct. 20, 1962, to the former Cecelia Mae Master, who survives. Mr. Pyle was previously employed by Franklin Bronze Co. and the local steel mill. He then was employed for 35 years at PennDOT, where he was project engineer supervisor, before he retired. Mr. Pyle was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Franklin. He enjoyed many sports, particularly bowling and the Steelers, and was an avid hunter. He especially enjoyed sitting on his patio and watching and taking pictures of the many bears, deer and other animals that would come into his yard. Most of all, he loved the family "get-togethers," especially during the holidays. In addition to his wife, he is survived by five sisters, Mrs. Margaret A. Myers of Polk, Mrs. Lois E. Blair of Tampa, Miss Martha I. Pyle of Polk, Mrs. Patricia J. Cramer of Santa Fe Springs, Calif., and Mrs. Sandra J. Firster and her husband, Tedson R. Firster, of Riverside, Calif; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a stepson, Vernon Earl Master; a sister, Nancy P. Smith; and a nephew, Michael A. Tarr. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut St., Franklin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m Thursday in the funeral home, with military honors being accorded by the local VETS Honor Guard and the Rev. David Janz officiating. Interment will be in Franklin Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com