Kenneth A. Rager of Fallowfield Township, a longtime educator, community leader, and volunteer, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at the Residence at Hilltop. He was 85. Mr. Rager, who was raised in Johnstown, considered working in the mill or learning to be a newspaper pressman, but ultimately decided his love of the outdoors would define his career. He enrolled in California State Teachers College, now called Pennsylvania Western University/California, and earned a bachelor’s degree in science and biology. He did graduate work at West Virginia University. In 1960, he accepted a position at Charleroi Area School District as a biology teacher. During a 35-year career, he shared his passion for plants and animals with two generations of students, who to this day tell stories of dissecting frogs in Mr. Rager’s class. In addition to teaching, he coached track and basketball, taught drivers education, served as a class sponsor in 1977 and negotiated for his union. It was in the college dining hall that Mr. Rager met his lifelong love, Alma Louise Hunter, known as Judy. The couple, who marked 64 years of marriage this month, settled in Fallowfield’s Latchem Plan to raise their family. In retirement there, Mr. Rager relished his role as the wise sage of the neighborhood, surveying all from his favorite chair on the front porch. He was known for being impeccably dressed, quick to offer a joke, a riddle or a story and a font of knowledge about home maintenance. Mr. Rager was a leader in the Methodist church, a member of Masonic Lodge 337 and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He had served on Fallowfield’s Planning Commission, was a member of the Charleroi Belgian Club and was active with the Johnstown High School Class of 1955. Mr. Rager traveled widely through the United States and Europe, but his favorite place to visit was Tidioute, Warren County. It was there that he and five friends owned a rustic hunting cabin, dubbed the “Wahoo 6.” For decades he enjoyed annual hunting trips, including his last just nine weeks ago. Mr. Rager was an avid fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams: he held season tickets to the Steelers, stayed true to the Pirates and could hold his own discussing the Penguins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Dorothy Dill Rager. In addition to his wife, Judy, Mr. Rager is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Kevin Miller of Zanesville, Ohio; a son, Kenneth of Laguna Niguel, Calif.; a sister, Beverly Allen (Tom) of Sarasota, Fla.; two aunts, Jessie and Betty Rager, both of Johnstown; four grandchildren, Tyler (Jenna) Miller of Boston, Corey Miller of Zanesville, Jack Rager of Boston and Alexandria Rager of Dana Point, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at HOGAN-MELENZYER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 226 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi. Visitation also will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, prior to the service at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Ken Custer officiating. Burial will follow at Round Hill Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to the Charleroi Area Education Foundation, P.O. Box 382, Charleroi, PA 15022 or Grace United Methodist Church, 420 California Drive, Coal Center, PA 15423. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hogan- melenyzer.com.
