John E. Titus
Former Pa. department commander of American Legion
John E. Titus, 91, of Carmichaels, formerly of Jefferson, died Friday, August 9, 2013, in Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, Waynesburg.
He was born November 2, 1921, in Jefferson, a son of the late Dr. Scott J. and Maud Dulany Titus.
Mr. Titus was a 1940 graduate of Jefferson High School, 1949 graduate of Waynesburg College and a 1969 graduate of West Virginia University.
He had first worked for American Viscose Corp. in Meadville as a textile worker.
Mr. Titus began a long career in education in 1950 in Jefferson-Morgan School District, where he was a classroom teacher for 14 years and a guidance counselor for 20 years, before retiring in 1984. He was also active in school activities as a basketball coach, baseball coach, student council sponsor and the State Student Council Leadership Workshop instructor. He was a member of Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and Greene County Retired Teachers Association.
He had served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was very active in the American Legion. Mr. Titus joined the Legion in 1945 and continued as a life member. He helped form Filer-Sadlek Post 954 in Jefferson in 1946 and served as post commander from 1956 to 1957. He served as American Legion 25th district commander from 1959 to 1961, western vice commander from 1970 to 1971 and elected Pennsylvania department commander from 1975 to 1976 at the 57th Convention of American Legion in Pittsburgh. He also served on the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council and as president from 1975 to 1976. He was a member of the board of trustees of Scotland School for Veterans’ Children and was president from 1986 for several years. In 2010, he received the Distinguished Service Award from Pennsylvania Department of the American Legion for his many years of service.
He was also a life member of Disabled American Veterans, a member of Greene County Voiture 10-20 of the 40-8 and an honorary life member of the Army Navy and Air Force veterans in Canada.
His community activities included Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company, Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority, Southwestern Pennsylvania Sewage Authority and Greene County Planning Commission.
Mr. Titus enjoyed belonging to Jefferson Football Club, which traveled around the country to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers play.
On December 27, 1952, he married Helen Stagon Titus, who died August 18, 2004.
Surviving are two daughters, Cyndee Scott and husband Ken of Mars and Jeanne Hockenberry and husband David of Carmichaels, with whom he made his home; two granddaughters, Tori Scott and Rachel Hockenberry; and two great-grandchildren, Jayden Kerley and Ava Hockenberry.
Deceased are a brother, Robert E. Titus, and three sisters, Ruth Titus, C. Jane Titus and Margarette Titus Brewer.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, where services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 13, with the Rev. Donald P. Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township. Graveside military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 954, Jefferson. The 25th District of the American Legion will hold a memorial service at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to American Legion Scholarship Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 2324, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2324.Condolences may be expressed at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.