BRAUN WESLEY A. WES Age 97, of Bellefonte, PA, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA, died peacefully at his daughter's home, Sunday, February 9, 2014. Born January 15, 1917, at his parents home in Pittsburgh. He was the son of the late Mary Irene Coleman and Benjamin Arthur Braun; and brother of the late William E. Braun. On April 4, 1941, he married Dorothy Mae Little, who preceded him in death on March 13, 2002. He is survived by his daughters, Barbara J. Braun of State College, PA and Janet L. Bartley (Francis) of Bellefonte; granddaughters, Ida (John) O'Donald and Barbara (Chris) Rossman of Bellefonte, and Lena Higgins of Snydertown; great-grandchildren, Sarah (Nick) Ward, John O'Donald, James O'Donald, Benjamin Higgins, Eva (Chris) Hodgdon, Caleb Rossman, Grace Rossman, Shane Kaschalk, and Andrew Kaschalk; two great- great-grandsons, William Ward and William Hodgdon; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and loving friends; and his special lady friend, Betty Sherword, and her children and grandchildren who became his extended Pittsburgh family. Wes grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Peabody High School in 1936. During those years, he participated in sports and held various part time jobs to help support the family. At age 20, he began his lifetime employment with the United States Postal Service, retiring after 35 years of service, holding various positions during those years. During World War II, he served his country in the United Stated Army, in charge of mail services for the military after the occupation of Japan, overseeing services from the central post office on the Island of Suppora, Japan. After retirement, he worked a variety of jobs, having learned several trades and many skills over the years, but the one he enjoyed the most was as a tour guide for Lenzner Buses as a tour guide for many visitors and dignitaries, providing them with detailed information of Pittsburgh history and little known facts. He was always willing to help anyone with anything and did it with a smile. He enjoyed sports, having had the opportunity to be teen young adult when Pittsburgh Pirate Baseball and Pirate Football were in their young years. He played neighborhood ball with players that went on to be professionals and owners. He enjoyed attending the space launches while his cousin was an astronaut and doing space walks, traveling across the United States to learn more history, camping at Hidden Valley in Mifflinburg, PA, baking, gardening, crafts, woodworking, writing poetry, leading discussion groups and churches as a lay pastor, involvement with Camp Lambec near Erie, PA as board member, counselor, teacher, and activities director, Sunday school superintendent and teacher and board member. He served at local, district, state, and national level for the Presbyterian church. Those who knew him will remember him most for baking and sharing his clothespin cookies, food from his garden, his gentle kindness, his love of God, country, and family, and ability for this large man to make everyone feel comfortable. A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte for years while he lived here, and North Hills Presbyterian Church in West View, while living there. At his request, memorial contributions may be made in his honor at either of the above churches. Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 1 p.m., following observance of Lent and Easter, as he requested. Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb