Samuel E. Vaughan Jr.

Samuel E. Vaughan, Jr. 76, of Ligonier, PA passed away Friday, October 13, 2023, surrounded by his family at Concordia Ligonier Gardens, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.  He was born December 9, 1946, in McKeesport, PA and was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel E. Sr. and Ann (Talbert) Vaughan and sister-in-law, Amy (Shope) Vaughan. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Beverly (Wineland) Vaughan; two children, a son, Eric, of Latrobe, and a daughter, Michelle (John Zimmerman) of Lancaster, PA;  three grandsons, Cody (Sarah) Vaughan, Lakenheath AFB, England, Nathan Vaughan, Maumee, Ohio, and Jared Vaughan, Latrobe, PA;  two step grandchildren, Kylie and Ethan Zimmerman, Lancaster, PA; a great granddaughter, Lillian Vaughan, Lakenheath AFB, England;  a brother, James T. of Greensburg, PA, a sister Pamela Ann of Ligonier, PA, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Sam was a 1964 graduate of Ligonier Valley High School and a 1968 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics.  He was a member of Ft. Palmer Presbyterian Church, Bolivar, PA.  He taught Physics at Derry Area High School and retired as an electrician from IBEW Local #5.  His hobbies were Civil War reenacting, restoring old tractors, blacksmithing, woodworking, hunting, and shooting.  He was Major of Carpenter’s Battery, CSA, Civil War Artillery Unit, a member of National Civil War Artillery Association, Single Action Shootist Society, and Theta Xi Fraternity. 

To honor his wishes there will be no public viewing.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to UPMC Cancer Research Fund or Gettysburg Battlefield Restoration. 

The family would like to thank and recognize Dr. Aldo Prosperi, his family physician for 35 years as well as all of the UPMC staff that cared for Sam over the last three years, most notably, Dr. Megan Mantica, Dr. Georgios Zenonos, and Dr. Terry Evans. 

McCabe Funeral Home, 144 East Main Street, Ligonier is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made to www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com.