Donald C. Bechler

OSWEGATCHIE, NY ~ Donald C. Bechler, 78, of 578 Sucker Lake Rd., Oswegatchie, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at his home where he was under the care of his loving family and St. Lawrence County Hospice.

Born December 5, 1936, in Harrisville, NY, a son of Lewis E. and Winifred Ford Bechler, he received his early education in a one room school house at Goose Pond, and later at Harrisville Central School.

He married Lynne Camidge on February 24, 1962 in Salisbury Center, NY.  The marriage later ended in divorce.

Don began his working career as an attendant at Hills Texaco Gas Station in Harrisville, and later as a seasonal employee for the Lewis County Highway Department during the 1950’s.  From 1960 until 1967, he worked for Kraft Foods in Lowville, and from 1967 until 1970, was a driller assistant for Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation at Benson Mines in Star Lake.  In 1970, he went to work as a Highway Equipment Operator for the New York State Department of Transportation out of Harrisville, and retired from there in 1995 after 25 years of service.

He was a member of the Harrisville Christian Church, CSEA and the NRA.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed hunting, traveling and time spent with his family.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Tori A. and Lance Mashaw, of Harrisville; six sons and daughters-in-law, Patrick and Becky Bechler, of Phoenix, AZ, Philip and Darlene Bechler, of Tupper Lake, NY, Raymond and Linda Bechler, of Sacketts Harbor, NY, Leonard and June Bechler of Eureka, CA, Scott and Denise Bechler, of Culpeper, VA, and Steven and Ann Bechler, of Canastota, NY; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren; a sister, Florence Bechler, of Harrisville, NY, and his longtime companion, Pauline Clark, of Star Lake, NY..

He was predeceased by two granddaughters, Lena and Haven Deamer, a sister, Doris Bechler, and a brother, Harold Bechler, who was killed in Germany during WWII.

Donald’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2014, beginning with a 9:45 a.m. Prayer Service at Scanlon Funeral Home, 14187 State St., Harrisville, NY 13648, followed by a 10:30 a.m. Funeral Service at the Harrisville Christian Church, NYS Rt. 3, Harrisville, with Michael Gault, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Pitcairn Cemetery, Pitcairn.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 26th (TODAY) from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial Donations may be made to the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department.

To view Donald’s online obituary or leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.scanlonfuneral.com

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