SANDY LAKE — Fred E. McQuiston, 67, of 172 Smola Road, Sandy Lake (Deer Creek Township), died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack while deer hunting near his residence on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 3, 2008.

He was born in Geneva on Aug. 15, 1941, a son of the late Robert J. and Edith Mae Hays McQuiston. On April 29, 2000, he married Cecilia Kay Wills, who survives.

He was a graduate of Commodore Perry High School, then went on to study two years in electrical engineering in Pittsburgh. He was employed as an over-the-road truck driver, having retired from Robinson and Sons Trucking Inc., Lawrenceburg, Ind. Following his retirement he had driven truck for Hafer Trucking of Geneva and had been employed by Deer Creek Township, maintaining and operating the equipment.

He had been a former supervisor for Deer Creek Township. He was a member of Fairfield Presbyterian Church, Sandy Lake, a member of the Meadville Eagles Club, and a former member of the Hadley Rod and Gun Club. An avid sportsman, he enjoyed fishing, boating and camping and had a special passion for hunting. He enjoyed spending time with his seven grandsons, and enjoyed and appreciated his many friends whom he had acquired throughout his life.

In addition to his wife of eight years, he is survived by two daughters, Patty Hoegerl and her husband, Richard, of Linesville, and Bonnie Tidd of Cochranton; a son, David McQuiston of Tampa, Fla.; two stepsons, Willis (Steve) Vaughn of Stoneboro, and Mark Spence and his wife, Charlene, of Jackson Center; a stepdaughter, Kari Peak of Rising Sun, Ind.; a sister, Carol Jane Gilliand and her husband, Edward, of Saegertown; a stepsister, Renea Smith and her husband, Sam, of Mercer; two brothers, Tom McQuiston and his wife, Irene, of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Glenn McQuiston of Virginia Beach, Va.; his stepmother, Wilma McQuiston of Mercer; seven grandsons, 13 stepgrandchildren and five stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Brittney Nichole McQuiston.

Friends may call at Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home Ltd., 3223 Perry Highway, Sheakleyville, today from 5 to 8 p.m.

The funeral and committal service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Brian Ennis, pastor of Fairfield Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Interment will follow in Fairfield Cemetery.

Condolences may be posted online at www.rlsfh.com.

The family has suggested memorial tributes may be made to the American Cancer Society.