David J. Cornelius, 81, of Bon Aire Road, Derrick City, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at the Bradford Manor.
Born on May 1, 1939, in Crosby, he was a son of the late Herman Estes and Nellie (Elliot) Cornelius. He was a 1957 graduate of Port Allegany, and later attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
On August 20, 1958, David joined the United States Army completing his training as an electrician being attached to the C Company, 92nd Engineering Battalion. He was honorably discharged on August 19, 1961.
On June 16, 1959 in Eldred, he married Naomi (Bush) Cornelius who survives.
David worked for Hull Electric as an Electrician for several years. In 1970, he joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 996 and later elected as business manager. In 1976, Local Union 996 merged with Local Union 5 where he was appointed as Assistant Business Manager, serving until his retirement in 2003. In 2007, David was appointed as Lead Organizer of Membership Development for IBEW by International President, Ed Hill, until retiring again in 2013.
He formerly served on the Board of Industrial Relations under Governor Richard Thornburg, served on the Board of the Democratic Party locally and at the State level, he was a member and served on the Workforce Relations Investment board of North Central Pennsylvania.
Surviving is his wife, Naomi, of 61 years, one daughter Valerie A. Byerley, of Bradford, and two sons David "Andy" (the Late Jodi) Cornelius, and Joseph (Ashley) Cornelius, both of Derrick City, two sisters, Juanita (Joseph) Knell, of Port Allegany, Mary Cornelius, of Port Allegany, and one brother, Frank (Juanita) Cornelius, of Mt. Jewett, seven grandchildren and 11 Great Grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Lewis B. Cornelius, Sr., Thomas Cornelius, Stanley Cornelius, and daughter in law Jodi (Swanson) Cornelius.
Friends will be received on Tuesday December 15, 2020, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Bradford Baptist Church, on Bolivar Drive, and again on Wednesday from 10-11AM. At 11:00 am funeral services will be held with Rev. Dan Mills, Pastor officiating. A live stream of the service can be viewed on the churches Facebook page starting at 10:30 am using this link, (https://www.facebook.com/BradfordBaptistChurchInc). Military honors will be accorded by members of the United States Army and members of the Honor Guard of the Bradford American Legion Post 108, at the Church following the service. Burial will be at the Card Creek Cemetery in Roulette.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Memorials if desired may be made to the ALS Society or the Bradford Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com