Wayne F. McLaughlin

Wayne F. McLaughlin, 94, of Ligonier, PA, passed away peacefully at home Friday afternoon, August 20, 2021. He was born August 11, 1927 in Manor, Pennsylvania and was the son of Franklin W. and Helen E. (Weaver) McLaughlin. He was independent right up to the end making a 3-hour drive alone just 2 1/2 weeks prior to his death and went to a fair on Tuesday and Thursday the week prior to his death. He was strong willed and as independent as possible right up until passing. He would give you the shirt off his back if he thought it would help and did not want to be a burden to anyone. He gave up his breath before losing his independence. May he have an elaborate leather shop, as many horses as he desires and a dog by his side in eternity.

      A Pennsylvania resident for all of his life. He was a truck driver by trade, traveling through every state with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii and also went into Canada with over 6 million miles on his rig(s). He made 113 trips into New York City in one year. His experience started on the family farm hauling in livestock. He was honored for his years of work with Top Oil Company. He also owned and operated his own trucks as he continued in the trucking business.

He had horses all of his life right up until about 90 years old when he considered it safer to no longer handle them. He did everything and anything you could do with a horse. He was involved in pulling, competitive shows at the fairs including driving an 8-hitch team and a three abreast horse hitch team, parades, did weddings and funerals for people and did the wagon rides at Overly Lights in Westmoreland County for years. He missed having the horses but continued to enjoy having a dog by his side or on his lap.

He was a leather craftsman with 76 years experience with making and repairing anything that was leather. He began as a teen keeping harness for the horses and cattle in repair on the family farm and finished the leather journey on this earth making quality belts and gun holsters for people along with doing and sharing many other cherished moments in his leather shop. He loved having friends and family visit. You were treated as family and invited to eat and share anything with him.

            Wayne was a life-long Mason of Shidle Lodge No. 601, Irwin, PA for 72 years, receiving his 70-year pin in 2019 and proud of that acknowledgment. He was also a long-term member of Kecksburg Sportsman Club, Appalachian Wagon Train Association, Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association, National Pike Steam, Gas & Horse Association, Haflinger Registry of North America, Haflinger Breeders Organization, and Tri County Pony, Horse & Mule Pulling Association.

            Survivors include his brother, Norman (Rheta-passed) McLaughlin of Dillsburg, PA; his daughter Laura (Kurt) Butler of Kingsville, OH, daughter Jayne (David) Fincke of Bolivar, PA; six grandchildren, Amanda (Steven) Ott, Sean (Marissa) Butler, Lance (Allison) Butler, and Garrik Butler, Nathaniel and Aubree Fincke; two great grandchildren, Ariana and Kolson Ott; son through marriage William (Bill) (Carol) Swezey, daughter through marriage Sandy (James-passed) Semanek; grandchildren through marriage that he considered his own, Robert (Bobby) Swezey, Joseph (Joey)(Barb) Swezey, Lee Ann (Gary) Sanner, James (Jimmy) (Becca) Swezey, William (Billy) Swezey, Anthony (AJ) (Kirsten) Swezey, Paul (Launi) Swezey. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and other extended family.

            He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters Edith (McLaughlin) (Joseph Maxwell) (Kenneth) Schiesser, Mildred (McLaughlin) (Howard) Bossart, Ruth Ann (McLaughlin) (Lloyd) White; two brothers Roy McLaughlin (in infancy), Wilbur (Patricia) McLaughlin; son through marriage Robert (Mary Ann-living) Swezey; a granddaughter through marriage Linda (Swezey) Antolik.

        Graveside services will be at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, Oct 23, 2021, at the Long Run Cemetery, Lincoln Way, Irwin, PA, with Pastor Bob Iksic officiating. Read more about Wayne at https://living2bfree.com/dad-pap/

Please sign the guestbook at www.blessingcremation.com