Lavern Kreckel Jr. was a 1963 graduate of Elk County Christian High School and  began his career as a machinist in 1965 at Powder Metal Products in St. Marys where he would work until 2008. He helped to establish Don and Vern’s Machine Co. in St. Marys in 1970. He was a skilled machinist and tool and die maker and highly skilled at solving complex problems with simple solutions. He trained many people in St. Marys who would go on to careers in the Powdered Metal Industry as Machinists and Die Setters. He was a kind individual who loved to talk to everyone, and made many friends in the industry. He passed away in August 2017, but his contributions to the local industry will never be forgotten.