James T. Irvin, age 79, of Shelocta, died November 1, 2018 at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh.

He was born in 1939 in Indiana to John and Clara Donahue Irvin.

Jim was a 32nd degree member of the Indiana-Franklin Masonic Lodge #313. He was also a member of the UMWA, and a lifetime member of the Shelocta Sportsman's Club.

He was a veteran having served in the US Navy.

Jim was employed as a coal miner for Keystone Coal Co. in Tunnelton, then as a lineman for Rural Electric Assoc., and finished his career with R&P Coal Co. where he was employed in their General Service Plant.

Jim was a dedicated family man with an incredible work ethic that was instilled at an early age by his maternal grandparents, (Leonard and Sara Donahue), spending the summers working on their farm. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather .

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, and developed lifelong hunting memories with his family. He was passionate about lawn care and was particularly fond of his John Deere tractor.

He is survived by his loving and nurturing wife of 59 years Patricia Walker Irvin; three daughters and one son; Deborah Lizama and husband Wayne, Vienna, VA; Barbara Irvin, Shelocta; Susan Annette Smith and husband Jamie, Winchester, VA; Michael Irvin and wife Carolyn, North Huntingdon; seven grandchildren, Christian and Austin Lizama, Kayla and Chase Irvin, Noah and Joel Smith, Logan Irvin; and one great grandson Oliver Irvin. He is also survived by five sisters and two brothers, Winifred Redinger, Indiana; Judy Rubright (Ron), Saltsburg; Penny Allison (Harold), Redford, MI; Patti Gapshes (Gene), Ernest; Beverly Wissinger (Rik), Indiana; Roger Irvin (Jackie), Chesapeake Beach, MD; David Irvin (Janet), Homer City; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Claire Thounhurst, and his brother-in-law Frank Redinger.

Friends will be received on Tuesday from 12 noon to 2 P.M. and from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Indiana, where a funeral service will begin at 7 P.M. with Pastor Kathy Mihoerck officiating. Interment will be private.

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