Robert C. Collett, Sr.

Robert Calvin Collett, Sr., 79, of Avella, died Saturday, September 19, 2009, in the Washington Hospital. He was born July 11, 1930, in Cross Creek, a son of Maynard Harland and Elsie Maude Hendrickson Collett. Mr. Collett graduated from Hickory High School in 1949 and attended Penn State�s short course program for lumber grading. For 44 years, he worked as a sawyer and timber buyer for Southerland Lumber Company. Mr. Collett was a member of the Washington Moose and a former member of the Jessop Club, American Legion and Arden Club. He owned horses and was active in PA Harness Racing at the Meadows. Mr. Collett enjoyed hunting. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from April 10, 1952, until his honorable discharge on April 9, 1954. After completing a course in aviation engineering at Wolters Air Force Base, he was supervisor of the mechanics department at his Army Base. Mr. Collett was awarded a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal for his service. He was Protestant. Surviving are a son, Robert C. Collett, Jr., of Avella; a daughter, Brenda Lee Collett of Harrisburg; one brother, Donald Collett of Cross Creek; one sister, Alice Capers of Hopedale, Ohio; four grandchildren, Kellie, Ashley, Ronee and Norman; and seven great-grandchildren. Deceased are his former wife, Mary Anna Naylor, who died April 9, 1979; a sister, Hazel Boling; and a brother, James Collett. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., the hour of service, Monday, September 21st, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Private burial will be held at a later date in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.