Gary L. Fennell

Gary L. Fennell

Gary L. Fennell, 80, of Chicora, went peacefully to be with the Lord while surrounded by his loving family Friday evening, April 17, 2026, at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Gary was born in Butler on December 1, 1945. He was the son of the late Williard “Pete” and Rose Hickey Fennell.

Gary was a 1964 graduate of Karns City Fairview Twp. High School. He served with distinction in the United States Navy and the United State Marine Corp. Gary was a highly decorated U.S. Marine Medic in Vietnam and was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal awarded for valor, The Navy/Marine Commendation Medal awarded for valor, a Combat Action Medal awarded for valor, The Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals and the National Defense Medal. He retired in 2002 following more than 32 years of service with INDSPEC in Petrolia. Gary was a long time member of the Chicora Moose Lodge.

In his early years, Gary played softball and played with several leagues until the age of 50. He was an avid and skilled golfer, having shot a hole in one at the Foxburg Country Club in 2008. He was a loyal Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins fan, and enjoyed telling jokes, the company of his family and friends, and his faithful companion, his Shih Tzu, “Boo-Boo.” Gary looked forward to watching his favorite movie, “The Christmas Story.”

He is survived by two daughters, Rhonda L. Roudebush and her husband, John, of Newell, WV, and Erica L. Fennell (Mike Brennenman) of Chicora. Gary was affectionately “Grandpa” to his three grandchildren and three great grandchildren, Nicole Rockwell of Chester, WV, Michael Angert of Nashville, TN, Colby Blystone and his fiancee’, Melinda Mays of Chester, WV, and Ariana, Hailee, and Kaizlee Rockwell; two sisters, Deborah R. Berteotti and her husband, Bernard, of Karns City and Lorrie L. Foley of Fredericksburg, VA; a sister-in-law, Darla Fennell of Chicora, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Fennell, M.J. “Toby” Fennell and his wife, Patricia; a brother-in-law, J. Kevin Foley, and the mother of his children, E. Diane Hillwig Fennell.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Members of the Chicora Moose Lodge will conduct a memorial service for their departed brother at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, 410 Main St., Chicora, with the Rev. Alan Morris, Sr. Parochial Vicar, St. Clare of Assisi Parish, officiating. The interment will be at St. John Reformed Church Cemetery, Chicora.

Military honors accorded by members of the Chicora and Bradys Bend American Legion Posts will take place after Mass Wednesday, at Mater Dolorosa.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chicora Fire Dept., PO Box F, Chicora, PA 16025. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.