Clay E. Givler

YORK - Clay E. Givler, 88, passed away Friday, May 1, 2015 at his residence. He was the husband of Rosemary N. (Nolt) Givler. The couple celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on May 22, 2014. An interment service will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 in Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery at 11 a.m. for the family, followed by a gathering for family and friends at Bird-In-Hand Restaurant. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, 2523 Pine Grove Road in York. Life Tributes by Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place in Red Lion is in charge of the arrangements. Clay 'Gene' Givler was born in Akron, Lancaster County on September 1, 1926, the son of the late Henry C. and Luella (Kulp) Givler. He was an industrial arts teacher and later the Assistant Principal at Dallastown Area High School. In 1966 he became the first Principal at York County School of Technology, overseeing the building of the first vocational and technical school in York, where students could receive a high school diploma and vocational training under one roof. He retired after 35 years in public education. Clay was a member of Pine Grove United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school for over 20 years. He was a 1944 graduate of East Lampeter High School and a member of Phi Delta Kappa. He was a graduate of Millersville University, received his Masters degree in Education from Temple University, and completed all but his dissertation for his Doctorates degree at the University of Maryland. He served for many years on accrediting teams for the Middle States Evaluation Committee. He was a proud veteran, serving in the US army in the 82nd Airborne as a Paratrooper. Clay leaves two sons, Michael E. Givler and his wife Stephanie of Avondale, PA and Richard C. Givler and his wife Eileen of Albuquerque, NM; two daughters, Connilu Petrie and her husband, George of Gettysburg and Roseanne M. Ford and her husband, Matthew of Charlottesville, VA; eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren; two sisters, V. Lyndell Weitkamp of Lancaster, and D. Lorraine Feldman of Huntington Beach, CA; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Givler, Lancaster. A daughter, Sylvia Ann Givler and a brother, Henry Earl Givler had preceded him in death. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and following his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's activities. He loved college basketball and attended many Gettysburg college games. He and Rosemary traveled extensively and his favorite was river cruising in Europe. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, York County Division, 610 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17603.