Former State Rep. Jeff Pyle, 57, died on Wednesday in Ford City after a long battle with cancer.
A Ford City resident, Pyle was a former nine-term Republican state representative, Ford City mayor, and Ford City teacher. He is survived by his wife, Michele Pyle, and two daughters.
Pyle battled cancer since 2005, but remissions from the disease allowed him to serve as a state representative until last year when he stepped down. He suffered a stroke a year before he retired.
Jeff Pyle’s children: Lauren Pyle, and Katie Pyle
Jeff Pyle was married to Michele Pyle. He has 2 daughters named Lauren and Katie Pyle.
According to his two daughters, the family includes four generations of teachers.
My dad wrote to me and said to always try to push your toe out to find the edge and keep pushing yourself further, said Lauren Pyle, 25, of Boston, Mass.
A lifelong focus for Pyle was helping others. Katie Pyle, 23, of Ashburn, Va., who is a teacher, said, Being an educator and a public servant is about teaching others to help themselves, and that was his big thing. Volunteering also loomed large for the family.
Pyle was involved with the Leo Club, a high school service club affiliated with the Lions Club, which advocates leadership skills through volunteering.
