A longtime representative of Armstrong, Indiana, and Butler County has passed away.
Former state representative Jeff Pyle passed away last evening after a lengthy battle with cancer, his daughter Lauren announced in a Facebook post this morning. Pyle took over as state representative in the 60th Legislative District in November 2004 and was first diagnosed with kidney cancer a few months later in February 2005.
Pyle continued to serve while battling cancer and eventually beat it, but it returned to his chest in October 2017. Then, he suffered a stroke in 2020, ultimately leading to his retirement in March 2021.
While serving as state representative, Pyle chaired the House Gaming Oversight Committee and led the second amendment caucus and coal caucus for 10 years with each organization. Additionally, he authored legislation on provisions regarding emergency personnel in operating underground mines, along with regulating unmanned aircraft for safety and privacy, and providing veterans with a special designation on their driver’s licenses.
Former House member Dave Reed remembered Pyle as a driven and motivated worker.
Jeff Coleman, Pyle’s predecessor in the House, talked about one of his first interactions with Pyle while he was teaching at Ford City High School. He said his passion was to get students interested in politics.
Former state senator Don White said Pyle had a community-oriented mindset.
In a Facebook post, state representative Jim Struzzi remembered Pyle for having a “welcoming attitude … to those of us who were new in Harrisburg a few years ago.”
Pyle was succeeded by current representative Abby Major. He was 57.
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