Philip B. Lee, 96 of Grampian, passed away Saturday, January 20, 2018, at Penn Highland, DuBois.
Mr. Lee was born April 10, 1921, in Mahaffey and was the last of thirteen children to the late Ash and Bertha (Hutton) Lee.
Philip was a proud WWII Veteran serving from 1942 to 1945 in the US Army, where he participated in the Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Northern Apenines, and Po Valley Campaigns. Philip fought in the infamous battle at Anzio Beachhead, which was the final German defense prior to the Germans surrendering in Italy on May 2, 1944. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with five Battle Stars, the Purple Heart for shrapnel wounds received in combat, and the Good Conduct Medal. His highest rank stood at Technical Sergeant No. 5.
After his discharge from the army, Phil began driving truck for Sam Kuntz in Mahaffey, and then entered the lumber business in 1946. In 1953, he and his brother, Ash, formed Lee Brothers Lumber Company in Mahaffey, and in 1954, Phil took sole ownership of the company. The business was operated in various locations in Mahaffey and LaJose, with the final location on Johnson Hill in Hepburnia. After 50 years in the lumber business, Phil retired in 1996, turning the business over to his youngest son, Doug.
On June 8, 1946, he married his beloved wife, Doris (Straw) Lee, who preceded him in death on September 30, 2005.
In addition to his wife, he was also preceded by a daughter, Candace Smeal in 2005, and an infant son, Philip, Jr., in 1955, as well as five brothers: Harper, Billy, Ash, Beau, and Sandy, and seven sisters: Nora, Pearl, Ada, Adeline, Mae, Bessie, and Mary.
He is survived by three sons: Dennis E. Lee and fiancee’ Patti McClain of St. Marys, Robert E. Lee, and Douglas E. Lee and wife Becky, all of Grampian. Two daughters: Ginger Wheeler and husband Dick of Grampian, and Janice Kephart and husband David of Curwensville, fifteen grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Also surviving is his son-in-law, Mike Smeal, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Phil was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and greatly enjoyed camping with his family and traveling. In addition, he was an avid hunter and a member of the Deer Run Rod and Gun Club, Mahaffey.
Friends will be received from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at the Waldron Funeral Home in Mahaffey. A funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 26th, at the funeral home with Pastor James Hurd officiating followed by military honors accorded by the Grampian American Legion Post #632. Private interment will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Mahaffey.
Online condolences may be made at mccabefuneralhomespa.com.
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