Lewis "Bud" Hastings

Lewis Frank “Bud” Hastings, 91, of Washington, died Friday, August 5, 2011, in the Washington Hospital. He was born December 4, 1919, in Washington, a son of Frank and Esther Smith Hastings. On August 20, 1943, he entered the U.S. Army, serving during World War II, with Company A 86th Chemical Mortar Battalion, in Normandy, Rhineland, Northern France, Ardennes, and Central Europe. Mr. Hastings attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, with 5 Bronze Stars, 2 Overseas Bars, and an Honorable Discharge on October 18, 1945. Mr. Hastings retired from Joy Manufacturing Company, after 28 years of service, and was a driver for Washington Engineering, McGrath Dairy, Suwak Trucking, Beatty Trucking, Ambulance and Chair, and was a school bus driver. For several years he worked at local funeral homes in the area, retiring from William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd. He attended the First Christian Church’s “Two and Two Class” and Edwards Chapel, and was a member of American Legion Post 902 Houston, for 41 years. His first wife, Lois McClain Hastings, and his second wife, Marilyn Zakareckis Hastings, are both deceased. Surviving are a son, Richard (Denise) Hastings, of Finleyville, a daughter, Christie “Murt” (Robert) Lindsay, of Eighty Four, and a step daughter, Karen Zakareckis (Michael) Broyles, of McDonald; a sister, Hazel Hastings Popper; 5 grandchildren, Shelley (Mike) Secchiutti, Gerald (Christine) Lindsay, Amy (Ken) Fahey, Ricki Hastings, and Randy (Rachel) Hastings; 4 great grandchildren, Clain Fahey, Fletcher and Rollie Lindsay, and Faith Hastings; and step grandchildren, Jonathan (Nichole) Gasbarrini, Jason (Jodilyn) Gasbarrini, Christie (Jeffrey) Lafuria; step great-grandchildren, Roman and Mia Jarret, Juliana Gasbarrini, Celia and Dominic Lafuria; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his dear friend, Peg Might, who misses her “shadow”. Deceased are a stepson, George Zakareckis, a brother, Frank Hastings, and two sisters, Evelyn Taylor, and Gloria Ewart. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, where services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2011. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville. Military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 902, Houston. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Honor Guard of the American Legion Post 902, 48 Western Avenue, Houston, PA 15342.