Sharpsville, Pennsylvania - Paul A. Kranich Sr. 98, of Sharpsville passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025, in his home after a brief illness.

Paul was born on Feb. 20, 1927 to Anna (Zvonik) and Paul A. Kranich

in Sharpsville. He was a 1945 graduate of Sharpsville High School where

he accomplished great success in basketball. He then went on to continue

his athletics at Youngstown College.

Paul served in the US Army during the Korean War. On July 3rd, 1954, he married his wife, the late Viola (Higel) Kranich who passed away on Jan. 11, 2016. Paul worked as a tester for Westinghouse, 35 years until his retirement.

Paul was named All-Mercer County for basketball in 1945. In 1951 Paul

helped the Youngstown College basketball team defeat the 10th ranked team

in the nation. He also played for the Donegan Raiders, a semi-pro basketball team that competed against some of the top teams in the country. He also found success in baseball. He played for the Sailsburg, N.C. team, which was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system. After achieving success of his own on the basketball court he later worked as a referee for 20 years. He was inducted into the Mercer County Hall of Fame on January 23, 1999. In January of 2020 he was inducted into the Sharpsville Hall of Fame.

Paul loved Cleveland sports, gardening and spending time on the golf course, especially the "Dum-Dum" golf course. On Aug. 31, 1986 he took first place in the Buhl Day Seniors Golf tournament. He also won the Sharon Country Club Father Son Golf tournament in 2003 with his son in law, Matt Liburdi.

Paul is survived by a daughter, Leslie (Matthew) Liburdi; sons, Paul

(Frances) Kranich, Jeff Kranich; and grandchildren, Mason and Ava Liburdi.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Viola; and siblings Emma,

Mary, Olga, George, and William.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Helping Hands Hospice

and Golden Caregivers.

Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Joseph Church Sharon or Buhl Park Golf Course.