Harry B. Cornelius

Harry Best Cornelius, 83, of Natrona Heights passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at Applewood Personal Care Home, Brackenridge. He was born May 28, 1933, in Arnold a son of the late Harry and Margaret Myers Cornelius. Harry was a graduate of Arnold High School in 1951 and also a 1955 graduate of Penn State University with a business degree. After graduating he was drafted into the Navy, where he enjoyed telling many stories including being a heavy weight boxer. Upon leaving the Navy he worked in upper management at Allegheny Ludlum Steel in various cities for 43 years. Upon retirement he was very active at the YMCA, an avid walker and worked part time as a van driver for Allegheny Valley Hospital for 6 years. Harry was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed dancing. Harry is survived by his wife of 25 years, Bette Heasley Cornelius; daughter, Sophie Forbes, of New Mexico; step-daughters, Christine (John) Giunta, of Monroeville and Beth Ann Tran, of Frederick, Md.; step-son, David (Krystle) Ptaszkiewicz, of North Huntington; and by his 9 grandchildren, Jacob, Clayton and Michaela Cornelius, Antonio and Bella Giunta, Ella and Ava Tran, and Nolan and Myles Ptaszkiewicz. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Jeannie Weidner; son, Michael Cornelius; and step-son, J.R. Ptaszkiewicz.
Friends will be received on Thursday from 4-8 PM in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights 724-224-8688, where funeral ceremonies will be held on Friday at 10 AM. Officiating will be the Rev. R. Cameron Malcolm, IV. Burial with full military honor's accorded by the Tarentum VFW will be in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Harry may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC. 20090. To send an on line condolence please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.