Claysburg Hall of Fame Induction Held Last Weekend

The ninth Claysburg Hall of Fame induction was held on Saturday, April 1. The hall of fame committee is made up of members of Claysburg P.A.S.T. Family or friends nominate prospective inductees by sending in an application to the committee.

Maria Leppert, chairman of this year's committee, said that the committee picks people who are from Claysburg, but don't necessarily still have to be living there. They have to have done something great in the community.

"We meet and read all of the applications. There is information on their schooling, their jobs, the great things that they have done and kind of a map of their life," Leppert said.

The group then decides who the five honorees will be. One honoree includes the Pioneer Award, which is usually someone who has been established in the community for a long time. The fire company is this year's Pioneer Award recipient.

Leppert added that it is really nice to see what people have done in the community because a lot of people don't know.

There is also a display in the community park with winners' names on the plaques.

Leppert said that she was thrilled with the attendance at this year's ceremony: 190 people attended.

CLAYSBURG AREA FIRE COMPANY

Troy Crist, who has been a member of the fire company for thirteen years, presented the award to Fire Chief Scott Eicher.

Crist said that it is a great honor to be recognized by the community for the work that the fire company does.

"It is not just me, but it's for the members," Eicher said. "It's a great honor and we really appreciate it. We just enjoy the community support and really look forward to the future."

JOHN AND ELAINE SMITH

John and Elaine Smith are heavily involved in the food bank, the backpack program and both are members of Rotary.

"It is very nice to be recognized for service," Elaine said. "I enjoy the volunteer work that I do."

Since they started P.A.S.T. in 2011, the Smiths have done all kinds of activities with them including history tours, history mystery tours, pioneer days, veterans programs at the school, all kinds of activities. Elaine does all of the ad programs for CACT, Hee Haw and a lot of bulletins for the ministerium, posters, door tickets and raffle tickets and is also involved with the library.

John said that he is grateful and glad for the recognition.

MATTHEW TREON

Matthew Treon was employed as a road foreman for Greenfield Township for over 20 years and served as township supervisor from 2018 until his death in December 2021.

He was active in the community of Claysburg, even though it was not his hometown. He worked with the Claysburg Little League and also served as Cub Scout Master. Treon's true passion was his interaction with children

He received the Appreciation Award in 2004 from Communities That Care.

Treon's wife Sondra accepted his award for the Hall of Fame. She said that no other words came to her mind except Philippians 2: 3-4: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourself. Let each of you look not only to his own interest but also to interest of others."

CLYDE ELMER WALTER JR.

Russell Walter, younger brother of Cpl. Clyde Walter, said that his brother did a lot of things for Claysburg. When he wrecked his car, he saved the motor and when the fire truck broke down and needed a motor, he gave them the one that he saved.

Clyde entered the U.S. Army on Sept. 18, 1969, at Fort Dix. He was assigned to Company D 2nd Battalion of the 12 Calvary, 1st Calvary Division (Airmobile) in South East Asia Republic of Vietnam.

On the morning of Oct. 11, 1970, while on a protection reaction mission, Clyde's platoon contacted North Vietnam enemy forces. As a result, Clyde and one other soldier were mortally wounded.

Clyde was awarded The Silver Star, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device for his heroism. He was also awarded the Purple Heart.

In reference to the many awards that Clyde received both prior to and after his death, his sister to Dottie says that it is a great honor to know that he was so respected.

"He was a good person. He had a lot of influence on my life. He taught me a lot about the Lord and what the right thing is to do and how to treat people," Dottie said.

His older sister Violet said that he always told her, "Believe in Christ." She added that he led a lot of men to Christ while in the service.

DONALD WITHERSPOON

Don Witherspoon was a longtime president of the Blair County NAACP and was a Silver Lifetime Member. Along with Senator Bob Jubelirer, Witherspoon was instrumental in passing the Anti-Cross Burning Law. Witherspoon fought endlessly for Human and Civil Rights for all people.

Witherspoon's wife Linda said that she was thrilled when she learned about the induction. He was nominated by longtime friends Bill and Patty Sweet.

"I was overwhelmed," Linda said. "I know Don would be so proud. He never forgot where he came from. It is a big honor for him and for me."