Duane "Sonny" Makel

He was born on April 5, 1941 in Fredericktown, a son of the late Frank and Alice Good Makel,

Sonny was a 1959 graduate of Waynesburg High School, where he was a wrestling champion; and also graduated from Waynesburg College in 1963.

He was coal miner at the former Clyde and Gateway Coal Mines. He had also worked as a math teacher in the Avella Area School District and during summers he would work as a roofer; as well as a sports writer for the former Democrat Messenger.

Sonny played fast-pitch softball for 20 years, was a PIAA Wrestling referee, a youth wrestling coach for 15+ years and a youth baseball coach for 15+ years. He was an avid deer hunter and coon hunter for over 50 years and was a founding member of the Greene County Coon Hunters Club.

On November 22, 1961 he married Charlotte Phillips, who survives.

Also surviving are four sons, Dave (Jenn) Makel of Carmichaels, Vaughn Makel (Ken Lantzy) of Blairsville, Jason (Olivia) Makel of Waynesburg, and Travis (Rachael) Makel of Waynesburg; grandchildren, Eli, Ava, Serena, Ellie, Evan, and Maya Makel; a brother, Delbert (Carol) Makel of West Columbia, SC; and a sister, Bonnie Smouse of Waynesburg.

Deceased in addition to his mother and father is a daughter, Debbie.

We will miss him, but he lives on in our memories!!!

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday, and 2 to 4 pm on Wednesday (no visitation on Wednesday evening) in the Behm Funeral Home, 1477 Jefferson Rd., Jefferson, PA 15344, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, where funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Donald P. Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Greene County Memorial Park, Waynesburg. Condolences may be expressed online at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.