Paul Dean “PD” Ashbaugh

Paul Dean “PD” Ashbaugh, 92, a lifelong St. Petersburg resident and retired Allegheny-Clarion Valley School teacher, passed away early Sunday morning, February 23, 2025, while in the company of his family at Clarion Hospital.

Paul Dean was born in St. Petersburg on May 2, 1932. He was the son of the late Paul C. and Myrna M. Master Ashbaugh.

He was a 1950 graduate of St. Petersburg Richland High School. Paul was a US Navy veteran of the Korean War, having served aboard the USS Coral Sea. He graduated with a B.S. in science and math from Clarion State Teachers College in 1959. He earned his Master’s Degree in 1965 from Westminster College. Mr. Ashbaugh taught 7th-9th grade science and math at Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School in Foxburg for more than 30 years where he was well-respected among the district’s students, staff, and parents. He retired in 1989.

PD was a model train enthusiast and took every opportunity to travel the country to ride trains. Following his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling the country in his conversion van. PD was a skilled woodworker.

PD was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Craig Ashbaugh, whom he married at St. Paul United Church of Christ on June 28, 1958. Mrs. Ashbaugh passed away on January 15, 2025.

Surviving are his children, Janet L. Dotterer and her husband, Glenn, of Millheim, Gary P. Ashbaugh of St. Petersburg, and Craig A. Ashbaugh and his wife Rhonda, of Emlenton; eight grandchildren, Jay E. Dotterer and his wife, Shanell of Appomattox, VA, Ashley L. Morgan and Corey L. Dotterer, both of Williamsport, Kyle B. Ashbaugh and his fiancé, Megan, of Norfolk, VA, Ashley M. Messenger and her husband, Dan, of Virginia Beach, VA, Amy N. McKolanis and her husband, Robert, of Dubois; Cameron M. Ashbaugh and his spouse, Drew, of Monroeville, and Ryan M. Ashbaugh and his wife, Ashley, of Hilliards; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Larry Ashbaugh and his wife, Mary Lynn, of Warren, OH and Richard Ashbaugh and his wife, Carol, of Falconer, NY, two sisters-in-law, Mary Ashbaugh of Laguna Woods, CA and Rachel Ashbaugh of Akron, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters and their spouses, Madeline and Sheldon Morrions and Norma and Charles “Mac” McHenry; three brothers, Denton Ashbaugh and his wife, Betty, Keith Ashbaugh, and James Ashbaugh, as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home Inc., 802 Grove Street, Saint Petersburg, from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2025, and on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 10-11 a.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 937 Twin Church Road, Knox. A funeral service will follow from the church at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Kenneth Tack, church pastor, officiating. The interment will be at St. Paul Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in PD’s memory may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ, PO Box 539, Knox, PA 16232. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.