Cletus John Troyer (Clete) of Waterford, Pa., age 91, passed away at the Cleveland Clinic on December 26, 2022 following a full, spirited life spent doing what he loved most – farming, hunting, golfing, bowling and, most importantly, enjoying time with friends and family. Clete was an eternal optimist, lived life on his own terms and was happiest in the presence of people.

Clete was born in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska on August 2, 1931; the fourth of six children – Duane, Clifford, Laura Lee, Norman and Mervin – to parents Dan and Della (Stutzman) Troyer. The family moved to Spartansburg, Pa. in the late 1930s, then to Union City, Pa., where Clete eventually met and married Cynthia (Whittaker) Troyer and had two children, Kevin Troyer and Holly Troyer Cross.

Clete was a diligent farmer and entrepreneur who opened Troyer Farms Potato Chip Factory alongside his brother, Cliff, in the late 1960s. The brothers’ hardworking roots fueled the family company’s rapid expansion, where they grew to process over 35 million pounds of chipping potatoes annually. In 1984, Clete departed the potato chip business and began Troyer Land Resources with his son, Kevin, where the two supply potatoes to commercial chippers, local businesses and individual households. Clete was a dedicated farmer and still showed up to work to monitor farm operations until shortly before his passing.

A few things that made Clete light up: his annual 5-month stay in sunny Sarasota, Fl.; the 1983 sheep hunt he completed in Mongolia; his family’s 1965 Brothers’ Bowling Tournament Championship win (where they defeated an impressive 126 teams); 13 years of service on the Fort LeBoeuf School District Board; Sundays spent with friends and family at Beaverdam Mennonite Church; and, most notably, quality time with his wife, Cynthia, and their beloved cat, Punky.

Clete is preceded in death by parents Dan and Della (Stutzman) Troyer and brothers Duane and Clifford Troyer. He is survived by siblings Laura Lee Martin (Titus), Norman Troyer and Mervin Troyer; wife, Cynthia Troyer; children, Kevin Troyer (Sharon) and Holly Troyer Cross (Tad); and grandchildren, Kylee, Colby and Kamryn Troyer, and Madison and Jaiden Cross.

Visiting hours will be held at the Van Matre Funeral Home in Waterford on Monday, January 2nd, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Further visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, January 3rd at Beaverdam Mennonite Church, 17721 Route 89, Corry, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. The funeral service will begin promptly after at 11:00 a.m. Private burial will be in Beaverdam Lawn Cemetery.