Kevin Gongaware Obituary

Kevin George Gongaware, 61, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on July 12, 2025, at Forbes Regional Hospital. Born April 13, 1964, in Greensburg, he was the beloved son of the late Merle Gongaware and Norma Jean (Dunn) Wisser. A 1982 graduate of Norwin Senior High School and a 1984 graduate of Ohio Technical College, Kevin recently retired from his role as a commercial HVAC technical engineer for the Department of Energy. He was a proud member of the Pittsburgh chapter of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). Kevin was a skilled mechanic who could fix just about anything. A lifelong car enthusiast and motorcycle rider, he had a special love for Harley-Davidsons. In addition to his parents, Kevin was preceded in death by his brother, Merle Keith, and his stepfathers, Joseph Chervenick and Glenn Wisser. He is survived by his brother, Kris (Jill); sisters, Janis Kljun (Andrew) and Jennifer Fitzgerald (Patrick); nephews, Ben (Erica), Jacob, and Joseph; nieces, Carly and Emma; his beloved Chow Chow, Cash; and many cousins and friends. In recent years, Kevin shared a particularly close bond with his "little sister" and her family. A survivor from the start, Kevin overcame childhood leukemia and was followed for decades as a long-term study participant at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2025, at JAMES W. SHIRLEY FUNERAL HOME, 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2025, in the funeral home chapel, with interment to follow at Irwin Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Kevin's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. www.shirleyfuneralhome.com