Edmund G. Pinger, Sr.

Edmund G. Pinger, Sr., 94, formerly of Freeland, and a resident of Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, Drums for the past five years, passed away Friday morning at the Manor at St. Luke Village, Hazleton, following a short illness.

Born in Freeland, March 5, 1923, he was the son of the late John and Helen (Sunda) Pingyar.  

He was a 1940 graduate of Foster Township High School.  In 1944 he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University and helped pioneer aeronautical engineering at Penn State.  He was one of 17 graduating classmates who volunteered for the University’s first classes in aeronautical engineering.  

Edmund was a US Navy Veteran of WWII, having served as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class and had been a member of the Freeland American Legion.

He enjoyed woodworking and owned and flew his own Piper Cub airplane.  He Built his own brick garage to match his home, which was featured in the November 1954 issue of  Mechanics Illustrated magazine where he received the Golden Hammer Award, and shared a patent for the design of a staking machine.

He was preceded in death in addition to his parents by his wife the former Susan Washko, who passed away July 24, 2005, after 41 years of marriage; and brothers and sisters John, Michael, and Anna Pingar, Helen Superdock, Mary Sotack, Susan Novatnak, Margaret Holstein, Verna Brudnyak, and Irene Scarloss.  He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Surviving are three children Deborah Ryan and her husband Dale, Spanaway, WA; Donna DeLuca and her husband Brian, Drums; Edmund, Jr. and his wife Sandra, Vestal, NY; a grandson David Ryan and his companion Nicole Haller, and great-grandson Jordan, Roland, OK; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.  The family would like to thank Fritzingertown Senior Living for the excellent care they provided for Edmund while he was a guest.

His funeral will be held Wednesday at 9:30 am from Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East) 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am in Good Shepherd RC Church, 87 S. Hunter Highway, Drums.  Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.  Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday evening 6-8 pm.  A Christian Wake Service will be held Tuesday evening.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Good Shepherd RC Church, 87 S. Hunter Highway, Drums, PA 18222 or the Activities Fund of Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, 159 S. Old Turnpike Road, Drums, PA 18222.  Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

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