Benjamin E. Liddle

Benjamin E. Liddle, 92, of Pottsville, died Wednesday at Seton Manor, Orwigsburg. He was born May 5, 1918 in Pottsville son of the late Benjamin H. and Henrietta Weissinger Liddle. He was a graduate of Pottsville High School, Kutztown State Teachers College with a B.S. in Education, he earned his Masters of Education Degree from Temple University and did graduate work at Penn State University to attain his Principal Certificate. He taught Math, English, and Social Studies for 29 years in the Pottsville School District and during that time he was Dean of Boys for 5 years, Chairman of the Math Department for ten years and an Assistant Football Coach for 15 years. He was Principal of the former Patterson Junior High School for 1 year and was the first Principal of the D.H.H. Lengel Middle School and spent a total of 40 years with the School District, prior to retiring in 1980. During World War II he served with the Army and was assigned to North Africa in January of 1943 and was promoted to the rank of Captain and became a Company Commander. In September of 1943 he was assigned to Italy where he also was a Company Commander, spending a total of 33 months overseas and receiving 4 Battle Stars. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, and a member of the Session of the church. He was a former member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, and served on the Church Council, and also a former member of the Pottsville Area School District Board of Education. He was a Life Member of Pennsylvania Retired Public School Employees Association, Life Member of National Education Association, Life Member of the Pennsylvania Congress of Parents and Teachers, and a member of V.F.W. Post 129, Pottsville, Pulaski Lodge # 216 F. & A.M., Pottsville, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Schuylkill Forest #50. Surviving are his wife, the former Margaret Mann to whom he was married for 62 ½ years: a son, John H. Liddle and his wife Kathleen, Pottsville: 2 daughters, Susan J. Matzuk and her husband, Greg, West Lawn and Beth E. Crivella, and her husband, Chuck, Muhlenberg Twp.: 4 Grandchildren: LCDR John Liddle, Mark Liddle, Amy O'Connor and Melissa Matzuk: 2 Great Grandchildren: Nora Liddle and Allison O'Connor. Services will be held on Monday at 10:00 A.M. from the United Presbyterian Church, 3rd and Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Rev. Jeff Colarossi officiating. Family and friends may call at the church on Sunday evening from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Monday from 9:00 A.M until the time of service. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions made to the United Presbyterian Church, 214 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA 17901. Interment with military honors will be at Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville. James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, is in charge of arrangements.