Clement E. Valchar

Clement Edward Valchar, 88, formerly of Lower Burrell, passed away on Sunday October 17, 2021 at Amber Woods Assisted Living in Cheswick.  He was born on May 12, 1933 in Tarentum, PA to the late Martin and Katherine( Klanica) Valchar. He was a 1951 graduate of Tarentum High School and he graduated in 1958 from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Chemical Engineering.  Clement was hardworking, intelligent, and no-nonsense.  He was devoutly Catholic, and even though he suffered some hearing loss as a young man, he still sang in a church choir off and on from childhood, into his 80s.   He was one of 10 children.   Eternally resourceful, he always made the most of what he had been given. He could fix anything. Before he had a car, he would frequently hitchhike to Pitt to attend his engineering classes.  After graduating from Pitt, he worked for PPG and later Alcoa Technical Center in Upper Burrell and was part of Alcoa’s 25-year club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and particularly the beauty and majesty of nature. He volunteered at St. Margaret Mary Church, and also combined his talents and interests working as a volunteer testing and monitoring levels of chemicals in Western Pennsylvania streams and creeks. He also tirelessly helped his children and grandchildren as long as he was able.

Besides his parents, Clem was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Rudy Valchar, William Valchar and Joseph Valchar, and 3 sisters, Stella Jezik, Mary Ann Harnadek, and Betty Ciuchta.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Roseann (Moser) Valchar; 5 children, Mark (Barb) Valchar of Petersburg, PA, Marcia (Jack) Richardson of Lower Burrell, Chris Valchar of Lower Burrell, Eric (Katrina) Valchar of Bethel Park, and Kathleen Valchar of O’Hara Township; 8 grandchildren, Jaclyn (Matt) Prather, Lauren (Steve) Dubnicay, Zachary (Sylvia) Valchar, Megan (Rob) McGivern, Nathan (Laura) Valchar, Amanda (Jon) Wright, Christopher (Alyssa) Hohenberger, and Sarah (Kyle) Breech,  as well as 13 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by 3 sisters, Aggie Hindman of Illinois, Margie Ulizio formerly of Lower Burrell, and Millie (George) Hunter of Connecticut, as well as many, many nieces and nephews.

It is with great sadness that we bid Clem goodbye, but we know he is probably right now, up in heaven, practicing with the choir, with perfect hearing and a clear mind.  And also singing the Slovak national anthem to anyone who will listen.

The family would like to thank the staff at Amber Woods, the AW Memory Impaired Unit, and AHN Hospice, for all of the grace and kindness they have shown all of us.   

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that in Clement’s honor, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Arbor Day Foundation, or that you take a few moments and plant a tree or two.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday from 4-7 at the Frank F. Gigler Funeral Home, Inc., Robert P. Karish, Supervisor, 2877 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell.  Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Margaret Mary Church (Everyone please meet at church) 3055 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell.  Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park.  The family also requests that during visitation and all other funeral services, that all attendees kindly wear a mask.  Condolences are welcome at www.giglerfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clement E. Valchar, please visit our floral store.