Byron W. Harnishfeger Jr. 1931 – 2021

Bud was born to Byron W. and Thelma Schry Harnishfeger Sr. on Feb. 20, 1931. He graduated from Boardman High School in 1949. Bud then joined the Navy and on Jan. 24, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Bernice C. Wittenauer. After they married, he was stationed in Tacoma, Wash., where they made their home.

While in the Navy during the Korean War, Bud made multiple trips across the Pacific to Japan, Hawaii and the Philippines. After receiving on honorable discharge, they returned to the Youngstown area, where they remained to raise their family of five children.

Upon their return, Bud was employed by United Engineering and Foundry Company as a crane operator. He ultimately was promoted to tool and die specialist and then advanced into management until his retirement in 1993.

Bud enjoyed many years of Boy Scouting starting when he was a young boy. Through the years he continued through the ranks, and as Scout master he assisted in forming Troop 115 at St. Michael’s Parish in Canfield.

He organized and lead an area group of Scouts to backpack at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He continued in Scouting as an adult and earned his Wood Badge Award and was later awarded The Silver Beaver, one of Scouting’s highest honors.

Bud enjoyed traveling with Bernice and other family members, enjoying many, many cruises and an anniversary trip to Ireland. He enjoyed camping and backpacking and took great pride in the fact that he and Bernice had traveled to all 50 states.

Among other interests he gave countless hours to St. Michael’s Parish through Men’s Club and Scouting. Bud chaperoned two trips to England with the Canfield High School handball teams. He also was a member of the American Legion and Saxon Club.

Bud will be missed by his loving daughters, Denise Harnishfeger Sedgwick of Hubbard, Phyllis (Michael) Manning of West Lake Village, Calif., and Agnes (Jeffrey) Schauer of Ashburn, Va.; a son, Byron W. (Beth) Harnishfeger III of Boardman; and his grandchildren, Jennifer (Patrick) O’Brien of Fort Mill, S.C., Byron (fiancee, Charity) Harnishfeger IV, of Youngstown, Joan Marie Schauer of Brea, Calif., Tyler (Taylor) Schauer of Sebring, Stephanie (Blake) Novotny of Hubbard, Karlie (Tyler) LaFollette of Ashburn, Va., and Karl and Kelsea Harnishfeger, both of Boardman. He also leaves a brother-in law, Joseph Wittenauer of Dayton; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a niece and nephew.

Bud was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Bernice C. Harnishfeger; his son, Karl E. Harnishfeger; his granddaughter, Adele L. Harnishfeger; brother and sister -in-law, William and Mary Jo Wittenauer; and his son-in-law, Kevin Sedgwick.

Family and friends may call from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2021, at St. Michael Church, 300 N. Broad St. Canfield, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m., celebrated by the Rev. Terry Hazel.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St. Boardman.

Family and friends of Byron may visit www.fox funeralhome.org to view this obituary and leave condolences for the Harnishfeger family.

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