Clifford Wesley Flegal, Sr., age 99, of the Tenth Ward section of McKeesport, died Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was born Aug. 2, 1920, in Lincoln Place, one of 10 children. Cliff, the last of his generation in the family tree was preceded in death by his parents, the late Foster E. and Mary Jane (Baxter) Flegal, Sr., brothers, Melvin (Fania) Flegal, Foster E. "Bud" (Virginia) Flegal, Jr., George A. (Mary) Flegal, Paul E. (Florence) Flegal, M. Wallace "Wally" Flegal and John Williard "Jack" Flegal; sisters, Beulah Flegal, Margaret (Thomas) O'Toole and Blanche (Thomas) Allison and his beloved wife, Janet Buti Flegal.
As a young man, Cliff enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Dec. 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served as a Chief Yeoman during World War II traveling to Europe and the Pacific, receiving an honorable discharge in 1945. Throughout his life he showed pride in family, city, flag and country.
Cliff, a lifelong and proud Republican was formerly active in politics as a Candidate for US Congress in 1951. He served as McKeesport City Controller, City Clerk of Council, and Chairman of the McKeesport Republican Committee. When he was in his 60’s, he retired as a Workman’s Compensation Representative for the Department of Labor and Industry where he helped retirees with benefits.
Cliff was a leader of numerous fraternal organizations including, a life member of the former BPO Elks Lodge #136 in McKeesport where he served as Secretary, Free and Accepted Masons, Centennial Lodge Centennial Lodge #544, 32nd Degree Life Member, Pittsburgh Consistory, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Al-O-Mon Forest #138 of White Oak where he was past Master Counselor, Order of DeMolay, Shriner, Syria Temple, Pittsburgh & McKeesport Caravan #4, Legion of Honor, and also a member of the former Eagles, Moose and Turners.
Cliff was involved in several veterans’ organizations and was the guiding hand behind the well-known Flag Day Ceremonies in McKeesport for 40 years serving as Chairman of the Committee also including serving as Master of Ceremonies for many years for the SS McKeesport which was held every April 29th. He was Past Commander and Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars of USA, Adjutant Corporal Carl A Everett VFW Post #514, He was also Past Commander of the Burt Foster American Legion Post #364, and a Life Member of AMVETS Post #8 in McKeesport.
Cliff is survived by his three sons, Clifford Wesley (Sheri) Flegal Jr., of Duncan, South Carolina, Kevin Wallace (Vicki) Flegal of Austin Texas, and Thomas Wesley (Jessica Ancarana) Mihun of McKeesport; Grandchildren, Cheryl (Flegal) Cranmer, Deborah (Flegal) Watkins, Melanie Flegal, Audra (Flegal) Bartley, Tiffany (Flegal) Weaver, Morgan (Flegal) Corpus and Shay Flegal; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Lastly, but not least, Cliff was a lifelong member of West Side United Methodist Church. It would be very much appreciated for your continued prayers for blessings upon his sons, family, friends and caregivers who helped him during his final years.
Burial will take place with military honors on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 at 2:00 pm in McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel.
Arrangements have been handled by the Hunter-Edmundson-Striffler Funeral Home of McKeesport, 600 Market St., McKeesport, PA 15132 (412-678-6191).
Remembrances may be made to West Side United Methodist Church, 305 Atlantic Avenue, McKeesport, PA 15132.