Raymond R. "Jake" Brier, 84, of Greensburg, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Friday, Aug. 17, 2012, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. Ray was born Feb. 18, 1928, in Mt. Pleasant, a son of the late John and Katharine Benjock Brier. He was a 1946 graduate of East Huntingdon High School, and a member of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Mt. Pleasant. Ray was a Korean War veteran, having served in the Army, and received a Purple Heart. He was employed as a press room worker by Fisher Body, General Motors, and was a member of the Mt. Pleasant American Legion Post 446, VFW Post 3368 and former member of the Mt. Pleasant Firemen's Club. Raymond is survived by his sisters, Frances Austin, of Greensburg, and Anna Mae Iwaniec, of Mt. Pleasant; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by brothers, Aloysius J. Brier, Joseph M. Brier and John S. Brier; and sisters, Elizabeth Myslewski, Catherine Sestock, Mary Enos and Eleanor Bromyard. Family and friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday to the EUGENE G. SALOOM FUNERAL SERVICE INC., 730 W. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, (724-547-2122), where a blessing service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Visitation Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, with the Rev. Richard J. Kosisko as celebrant. Interment with full military honors conducted by the Mt. Pleasant American Legion Post 446 and VFW Post 3368 will follow in Visitation Cemetery. A parish wake service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. The family would like to thank the staff of 4B at Westmoreland Manor for their kind and considerate care of Ray during his stay. Please visit www.saloomfuneralservice.com to send a condolence. Richard Rega, funeral director.

Pittsburgh Tribune Review 8/23/2012