Nelson J. Horner

Nelson J.  “Chief” Horner, 84, of Coal Center, PA, died Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

He was born September 1, 1934, in Brownsville, PA a son of Nelson Winfield Horner and Margaret (Seymore) Horner.

Nelson was a member of fraternal order of Police, and a Lifetime member of the VFW.  He had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement beginning as a K-9 officer in Metro Washington, D.C., he then returned to Brownsville, PA as a patrolman, Centerville as the Chief and finally to California, PA where he was hired as the Chief and served from 1971 until his retirement in 1997.

He proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force.

In addition to his parents “Chief” was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Dolores Crawford; son, Michael Horner and step sons, Tom and Steve Tatar.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, of 34 years, Ruth Horner of Coal Center, PA, 5 children, Nelson J.  Horner, Jr. of California, PA, Randi Lee of Smock, PA, Robert L. Horner of Brownsville, PA, Alan Horner and wife Patti of Augusta , GA,  and Samuel Horner and wife Linda of Stockdale, PA; two step daughters, Karen Tatar of Monongahela, PA, and Donna Santo (Rob Burns) of Bethel Park, PA; sisters, Cindy Smith and Debbie Durkin both of Parma, OH; half sister,  Kathy  Cardin of Wichita Falls, TX,  and brother Harry Horner (Kathleen Bryner) of Brownsville, PA.  Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and he will be sadly missed by his animal friends, Bootsie, Ginger and Kitties.

Friends will be received in the Mariscotti Funeral Home, Inc., Anthony N. Mariscotti, Supervisor, 323 Fourth Street, California, PA on Monday, December 17 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm  and until 11 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2018  when funeral services will be held with Rev. Todd Rutherford officiating.

Interment will follow in Redstone Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nelson J. Horner, please visit our floral store.