Frederick Lyle

Washington policeman, accomplished guitarist Frederick W. Lyle, 80, of Washington, peacefully entered into heavenly rest Wednesday, January 31, 2007, at Donnell House, Washington, surrounded by his family. He had been in Humbert Lane Nursing Center for more than 24 months because of his declining health, having had two hip surgeries, Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson's dementia. He was born August 27, 1926, in Ohio Valley Hospital, Wheeling, W.Va., the youngest son of Spencer Miller Lyle and Sydney Mackey Murphy Lyle. Mr. Lyle served his country as a paratrooper for the U.S. Army in the 11th Airborne in Japan, Korea and the Philippines from 1944 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He worked for Hazel Atlas Glass until he began his career as a Washington police officer on October 20, 1966. Disability forced him into early retirement in February 1985. A favorite part-time job was being on patrol at Eat-n-Park restaurant on West Chestnut Street, keeping track of all the teenagers who sought his advice because he cared enough to listen. He also patrolled for Washington High School sports and worked for Citizens Library in Washington. Mr. Lyle attended Calvary Temple for many years under the leadership of Pastor Michael Sitko. While he was able, he joined the Parkinson's group meetings at Washington Hospital. He was an honorary member of Washington Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 95. His love of music began at age 14, when he taught himself to play finger-style guitar and harmonica. He enjoyed playing for area square dances in his youth with "Hezzy" Reese, singing and playing with Nick Carter on WJPA radio, and playing for the church. He loved words, studied the dictionary as a favorite pastime, and had fun making up his own vocabulary. Parkinson¹s disease took away his ability to play the instruments he loved so much. He met his idol, Chet Atkins, in Oglebay Park in Wheeling, and having their picture taken together was one of his greatest memories. He immensely enjoyed the talents of his friends, Don Rogers, Paul Briggs, Tony Janflone Sr., Tony Janflone Jr. and several others, including Slim Lehart. On September 1, 1976, he married Patricia A. Drylie Cochran, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Martha Jean Ardeno, Marjorie Lois (Elmer) Cross, Eugene Lester (Bonnie) Lyle and Randy Ray Lyle, all of Washington, and Judy Ann Voytek of Spartanburg, S.C.; 10 grandchildren, Lisa Ardeno, Tracy Fisher, Laura Fisher, Victoria Piper, Jaime Molinaro, Charles Ardeno, Brenda Voytek, Jason Voytek, Ashley Cross and Ed Foster; 10 great-grandchildren, twins Paula and Mareena Smith, Betty Jean Fisher, Robert Fisher, Cydnie Fisher, Brianna Piper, Anthony Wright, Quinn Ardeno, David Voytek and Caleb Voytek; five stepchildren, Brenda A. Widows and R. Jeffrey (Joyce) Cochran, both of Washington, Rebecca S. (Michael) Yue of Oviedo, Fla., Elizabeth E. (Brian) Marincov of Orlando, Fla., and Carl "Skip" Cochran of Williamsport; and six stepgrandchildren, Jaime Widows, Jonathan Widows and Thomas Cochran, all of Washington, Jennifer Killen, M. Tyler and Olivia Marincov of Orlando. Deceased are his first wife, Laura Jean Briggs Lyle; his older brother, Herbert Lyle; and his son-in-law, Joseph Edward Voytek. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 3, with the Rev. Dr. Roger Raymond Fischer officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Donnell House, Washington Hospital Hospice, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301. Washington FOP will hold a memorial service at 7 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.