Fred Bisher

ORAN, Mo. -- Ferdinand "Fred" M. Bisher, 92, of Saxton, Pennsylvania, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, at his home.

He was born Aug. 21, 1923, in Oran, son of the late Joseph and Anna Baudendistel Bisher. On May 21, 1949, he married D. Virginia Scherer. She preceded him in death March 9, 1974.

Bisher was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Dudley, Pennsylvania, where he was very devoted to attending daily Mass.

He was a graduate of Oran High Class of 1941.

After graduation, Fred enlisted in the United States Army in 1943 and served during World War II as a military policeman and was one of only handful of servicemen that saw the first atomic bomb "Manhattan Project" explode in New Mexico on July 16, 1946. He was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1946.

Fred was employed as a remote control operator for Texas Eastern/Spectra. He retired in 1985.

Bisher was a member of the Broad Top American Legion Post No. 126, Saxton VFW Post No. 4129 and was an active member of the Broad Top Area Honor Guard.

He is survived by a son, Gary W. Bisher, married to Linda of Saxton; grandchildren, Scott W. Bisher of Saxton and Cherie A., married to Benjamin Helsel, of Three Springs, Pennsylvania; two great-grandsons, Jason M. Helsel and Joshua W. Helsel; and a brother, Joseph Bisher, married to Eleanor, of St. Louis.

He was preceded in death by siblings Simon Bisher, Earl Bisher and Rita Witges.

Friends and family will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Akers Funeral Chapel, 715 Church St. in Saxton.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Conception Church, with the Rev. Matt Baum officiating. Full military honors will be conducted by the Broad Top Area Honor Guard. Burial will be held privately at Ave Maria Catholic Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.akersfuneralchapel.com.