Buffalo Mills, PA – Melvin E. Lafferty, 90, of Buffalo Mills, passed away Monday, August 22, 2016, at Allegany County Nursing and Rehab, Cumberland.

Born May 2, 1926, in Buffalo Mills, PA; he was a son of the late Lester and Veda (Miller) Lafferty. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Shirley (Holler) Lafferty in 1993; a grandson, Dustin Kelly; brothers, Joe and Fred Lafferty; a sister, Marcelle Dietz; and longtime companion, Grace Howell.

He is survived by daughters, Beverly Spudich and husband David of Acosta, PA, Betty Ankeny and husband Bill of Ellerslie, MD, Brenda Lafferty and spouse Diane Viar of Hyndman;  grandchildren, Shane Kelly, Marissa Spudich, Michelle Coates, and Jennifer Coates; 9 great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. Also survived by a brother, Homer Lafferty of Hyndman and a sister, Dorothy Keller of Bedford.

Melvin proudly served in the US Army during WWII. He was wounded in action on March 1, 1945 and received a Purple Heart. He worked as a mechanic for Eastern Express for over 24 years and P.I.E. Nationwide for another 9 years. He retired in August of 1986. He attended the Buffalo Mills United Methodist Church; was a life member of the Oscar Jordan VFW Post 7375, Past Post Commander of the Fort Bedford VFW Post 7527, Past District 17 Commander, Past President Fort Bedford Veteran’s Club; member of the American Legion Post 113, Manns Choice Senior Citizens, a member of the NRA and AARP.

Friends will be received at the Harvey H. Zeigler Funeral Home, Inc., 169 Clarence Street, Hyndman on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

A funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home Thursday at 11 a.m.

Burial will follow at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, with military honors by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zeiglerfuneralhome.com.