Chester Arthur Philage
  

Chester A. Philage, 85, of Houtzdale, passed away on Friday, Sept. 22, 2006 at 6:10 pm at the James E. VanZandt VA Medical Center, Altoona, PA.
Mr. Philage was born in Madera, PA on July 12, 1921, the son of the late Andrew and Jennie Mae (Richardson) Philage.
He was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church Houtzdale, PA.
He served in the U.S. Army as a PFC in WW II with Company A 410 Infantry Regiment in Central Europe as a light machine gunner. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and two Bronze Stars.
He worked as a Crane Foreman at Bethlehem Steel, Inc.,Sparrows Point, MD., for 36 years retiring in 1983.
Mr. Philage was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #10376, Houtzdale and Pope John Paul II Fourth Degree Assembly #952, Clearfield; V.F.W. Stephen Kandrach Post 6321 Janesville; American Legion Freeberg Post 0591, Houtzdale; The Military Order of the Purple Heart; Disabled American Veterans, Altoona Chapter # 34; Elks Lodge #1173, Philipsburg; Moose Lodge #327, Houtzdale; Past President of the Bullseye Sportsman Club, Eastern Shore, MD
On August 3, 1943 in St. Mary's Ukrainain Catholic Church, Ramey he married the former Virginia Yaletchko who survives of Houtzdale.
He is survived by a son and daughter; John Andrew "Jack" Philage and his former wife Sandie of Houtzdale and Cheryl Perna of Houtzdale, PA
Also surviving are six grandchildren; Janine Philage, Kimberly Thelin, Michelle Green, Jacqueline Josh, Anastashia Perna and Michael Perna.
Also surviving is a sister, Kathryn Gonder of Wildwood, IL.
He was precede he death by a great grandson, Jackson Philage and three brothers, Robert, Howard and Richard.
Friends will be received at the Kruise Funeral Home, Inc., Ramey on Monday, Sept. 25 from 7-9 p.m., Tues., Sept. 26 from 2-4 & 7-9, and on Wed., Sept. 27 from 8-9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at at Christ The King Catholic Church, Houtzdale, PA, at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, September 27th, with Fr. Zab Amar officiating.
A Christian Wake Service will be held in the funeral home on Tues., at 3 p.m. with Fr. Amar followed by the recitation of the Rosary by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, St. Victoria's Court #646.
Interment will follow in the Alexander Cemetery Bigler Twp, PA. Graveside military services will be conducted by the V.F.W. Stephen Kandrach Post 6321 Janesville; American Legion Freeberg Post 0591, Houtzdale.
Donations may be made to a veterans organization of the donor's choice.