George H. "Skip" Houk, Jr., 77, of Hermitage, formerly of West Middlesex, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and son on Thursday, August 29, 2024, in UPMC Horizon, Greenville.

Mr. Houk was born on March 5, 1947, in Sharon, a son of the late George "Howdy" and Alyce (McClelland) Houk. In his youth, he was a member of the Boy Scouts and delivered "The Sharon Herald" newspaper to many West Hill neighbors. He was a 1965 graduate of Sharon High School and proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1969. During his military career, he served in Vietnam and toured aboard the USS Mills in "Operation Deep Freeze" and the USS Wright.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 432, Wheatland, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6233, West Middlesex, serving as a trustee for both clubs. Since 2007, Skip participated in military funerals as a member of the Honor Guard.

Skip was a member of St. Anthony's Church, Sharon.

He was employed for 18 years at the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp. Upon the plant closure, Skip began working at Packard Electric (Delphi), spending 22 years between the Hubbard, Cortland and Warren, OH locations.

An avid bowler, he was in various leagues and served many years as a Mercer County Bowling Director. Skip was also a member of local golf leagues and coached youth soccer at Notre Dame Elementary School.

He enjoyed watching racing at Mercer and Sharon Speedway, fishing and hunting, especially deer and small game. Skip also had a passion for Pittsburgh sports, and closely followed the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates.

In his spare time, he found comfort in reading and working on 500-plus piece puzzles.

He married his wife of 43 years, the former Dolores J. Gasparec, on June 27, 1981, in St. Anthony's Church, by Fr. Robert Galinac.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Chris Houk and his wife Robin, Beavercreek, OH; a grandson, Henry Houk; a sister-in-law, Paula Gasparec, Plymouth, MA; a brother-in-law, Stephen Gasparec, Cincinnati, OH; and his nieces, nephews and cousins, Alison, Matt, Connor and Keira Donlan, Jen, Brian, Colton and Charlotte Rapien, Lori and Lisa Gasparec, and Flora Jane (Houk) Parrish.

In addition to his parents, Skip was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, John T. and Margaret (Dutzer) Gasparec; two half-brothers, Donald and George Moore; a sister-in-law, Pamela Gasparec; and a brother-in-law, John R. Gasparec.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at UPMC Greenville, for the care and compassion given to Skip.

The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to St. Anthony's Church, 804 Idaho St., Sharon, PA 16146; Wheatland and West Middlesex Honor Guard, 3747 New Castle Rd., West Middlesex, PA 16159, or to the family at: Skip's Memorial Fund.

Calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday (09/03/2024) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday (09/04/2024) in St. Anthony's Church, Sharon, with Rev. Glenn Whitman, as celebrant.

Military honors will be rendered at the cemetery by the Wheatland and West Middlesex Honor Guard.

Interment: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Hermitage.