Emil J. Debnar

Emil J. “Deb” Debnar, 80, of Kittanning passed away peacefully on November 27, 2025 with his family at his bedside.  Emil was born on June 30, 1945 to Emil P. Debnar and Pauline J. (Zacek) Debnar in New Kensington, PA.  He was a 1963 graduate of Kittanning High School. Emil and his wife, Rose (Hilty) Debnar recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 31 riding the Frostburg Flyer with their sons and grandchildren. 

Emil was hard working, employed by William Mohney Associates, before retiring from Consol Energy. He also owned and operated the Debnar Backhoe and Hauling Service. He had an extraordinary green thumb with gardening and canned every year with items from the garden. He enjoyed the outdoors; hunting, fishing, especially at the Dry Hollow Camp in Elk County. 

Emil was an active member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Kittanning. He also was a member of Cool Spring Power Museum, lifetime member of East Broad Top Railroad in Huntington, PA. Riding steam engines and operating trains was his favorite pastime especially with his family and friends. 

Emil and Rose traveled through many states, Europe, Middle East (Israel), Nova Scotia, Alaska, and the Bahamas.  Emil was a decorated US Army veteran who served his country with the air mobile unit, 1st of 7th Cavalry Division in the Vietnam War. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Emil P. and Pauline. 

Left to cherish Emil’s memory is his wife Rose of Kittanning, son Jeff (Jeannine) Debnar of State College, son Jason (Wendy) Debnar of Marianna, his loving grandchildren, Rochelle Debnar, Zachary Debnar, Tyler Debnar, and Jaslyn Debnar, one sister, Paulette Beatty as well as many other loving friends and relatives with whom he was very blessed to have shared his life. 

Family and friends will be received on Sunday November 30, 2025 in the Kennedy & Blodgett Funeral Home, 253 North Grant Ave., Kittanning, PA 16201 from 2:00- 4:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm. Additional viewing will be held on Monday December 1, 2025 in St. Johns Lutheran Church, 218 North Jefferson Street, Kittanning, PA from 1:30pm until time of services at 2:30pm with Rev. Carl Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emil J. Debnar, please visit our floral store.