With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Francis Joseph Tremel, 77, who passed away unexpectedly on January 17, 2025. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, who was known for his overwhelming kindness.
Frank, fondly known as Butch, was born in 1947 in Lilly, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Regis and Frances (Costantino) Tremel.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Theresa (Salony) Tremel; his two loving daughters and five grandchildren: daughters Betsy (Eddie) Johnson of Parkton, MD and Theresa (Larry) Churchwell of Mooresville, NC; grandchildren Zachary, Aden, Lily, Abby, and Caroline. Butch is also survived by a sister, Janet Schachtner, and brother, Regis (Patty) Tremel; sisters-in-law, Linda Salony, Helen (Michael) Smith, Anne (Randy) Passanita, Peggy (Bill) Ireland, and Jeanna (Rocco) Mantini and brothers-in-law, Thomas Rightnour, Richard (Joanne) Salony, William (Rose Mary) Orlowsky, and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his father and mother-in-law, William and Elizabeth Salony, sister Mary Beth Rightnour, brothers-in-law Frank Schachtner and William Salony, Jr., sister-in-law Rose Mary Orlowsky, and nephew Michael Tremel.
Butch graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in 1965, and he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1969 and a Master’s degree of Safety Science from Indiana University Pennsylvania. He retired from Edison Mission Energy (Penelec) at the Homer City Power Station.
He was a long-time member of the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church in Indiana and served on the church council. Butch was also an active member and Trustee for 14 years at the Elks Lodge in Indiana. He was the PA2 State Coordinator for the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program. He was the co-founder and coach of the first girls’ softball league at the Indiana YMCA, where he served on the board for many years.
Butch loved spending time golfing with his wife and friends; he was an avid Penn State football and Steelers fan. Butch was fun-loving and always had a smile on his face. He saw the best in everyone.
Butch was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, and his greatest joy was spending time with his family. As a proud grandfather, he and his wife traveled the country visiting and attending their grandchildren’s sporting events. He touched countless lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Friends will be received on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Indiana. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 11:00am at the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church, Indiana. Interment will be made in the St. Bernard Cemetery, Indiana.
