Paul W. Horner

Paul W. Horner Sept. 21, 2011 Paul W. Horner, 93, of St. Petersburg, Fla., passed away Wednesday at Bon Secours Place ALF. He was born in Tamaqua, where he lived and worked for 87 years before retiring in St. Petersburg to be near his family. Paul graduated from Juniata College and received his master's degree in music from Penn State University. He served as a sergeant in the Army during World War II and was a member of the Army Dance Band that played throughout Europe during the war. Music was his passion as he served as band director, choral director and music department chairman during his 43-year stay in the Tamaqua Area School District. When not involved with a school event, he taught privately and was known to his family and students as the music teacher that made house calls. If a student was willing to learn music, he was willing to go to them. His love for music and singing did not stop in the school, as he was the director and lifetime member of the Coal Cracker Barbershop Chorus of Mahanoy City. He rarely missed an opportunity to perform and make the world smile with music. He took great joy and loved to spend time with his seven grandchildren. He particularly enjoyed their musical performances and academic achievements. He was also a member and long-time choir director of First Presbyterian Church of Tamaqua. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Foster G. and Erma Wagner Horner. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Markovchik Horner, Hazleton; sons, Paul M. (Margo) Horner, Chicago, Ill.; Don G. (Monica) Horner, Baltimore, Md.; and Alan J. (Beth) Horner, St. Petersburg; grandchildren, Lauren, Stacey, Julie, Jennifer, Alana, Austin and Alissa; and a sister, Marion Loew Kimmel, Philadelphia. A memorial service will be held Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. in Bon Secours Place Chapel, 10401 Roosevelt Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL 33716. Visit the family's personalized online guestbook at www.andersonmcqueen.com. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, Northeast St. Petersburg Chapel, 727-822-2059, is in charge of arrangements.