Richard P. Schlatz, 70, of Butler passed away Tuesday at his home.
Born Nov. 11, 1946, in Butler, he was a son of the late Thomas and Caroline Karabogdan Schlatz.
He was a 1964 graduate of Butler High School at the age of 17.
He worked for the Labor Union Local 323, where he served as past president for 15 years. He retired from the union following 30 years service. Before the union, he worked for Pullman-Standard and Armco for a short period.
Before his mother's death, he ran Schlatz's Bar for two years then sold it to Mama Rosa's in 1979.
He was a U.S. veteran of the Marines, where he served for four years. He made two tours of Vietnam. He also was a member of the American Legion Post 778, where he served on the executive board for 11 years. He did a lot of volunteer work for the American Legion. He also was a member of the VFW Post 249 and a lifetime member of the South Butler Fire Department.
He enjoyed doing projects for his children and grandchildren, and woodworking and working in the woods and yard with his tractor. He enjoyed just lending a helping hand to anybody who needed it.
Surviving is his wife, Pearl Grossman-Gray-Schlatz. They were married Dec. 28, 1974. Also surviving are two sons, Joe (Jackie) Gray of Butler and Shawn Gray and his fiancée, Deb Neff, both of Butler; five grandchildren, Kyla, Evan, Lindsey, Conner and Alexa; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Evelyn Cajka; and his brother, Thomas Schlatz.
SCHLATZ - Friends of Richard P. Schlatz, who died Tuesday, March 14, 2017, will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. The Rev. Richard Marshall will officiate. Interment will be at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Inc. and mailed to Armstrong Community Service, c/o Healing Heroes, One Armstrong Place, Butler, PA 16001.