Allan James "Beck" Wertz, 33, Green Tree Borough, died tragically Tuesday in an automobile accident in Beaver County. He was born in Altoona, son of Sheldon L. and Lois Jean Wertz and the late Mary Jane Wertz. Allan was a 1993 graduate of Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School and a 1997 graduate of St. Vincent College, Latrobe, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science with honors. He received his Juris Doctorate from the Duquesne University School of Law in 2000, where he met the love of his life, Amy Marie Mudrey, whom he married Nov. 10, 2001. Allan joined the law firm of Burns, White & Hickton as an associate in November 2000. He practiced in the areas of professional malpractice, general insurance, defense litigation, commercial litigation, complex litigation and asbestos defense litigation. He was a member of the bar in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and was a member of the American, Pennsylvania and Allegheny Bar Associations. Allan and Amy lovingly brought into their world two children, Abby Marie, 4, and Joseph Allan, 16 months. He was a devoted father and husband whose world revolved around his family. They made their home in Green Tree Borough. Allan was an avid NASCAR fan, attending annual races in Dover, Del., and Charlotte, N.C. Steelers football was one of his passions, as was his music. He could play a "mean" air guitar. Allan was the son-in-law of Nancy and Richard Sed and James and Judy Mudrey; brother of Patricia and Greg Bunn, Brian and J.B. Wertz, Catherine and Michael Ventre and Jolene Wertz. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews and many close friends. Allan was a gift to all of us, and we are so thankful for the time we had with him. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today and Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at William Slater II Funeral Service, 1650 Greentree Road, Scott Township. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 310 Mansfield Ave., Green Tree, with interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 100 Resurrection Road, Coraopolis. Memorial contributions for Allan and Amy's children may be made to the Abby Marie & Joseph Allan Wertz Fund, c/o PNC Bank, 225 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, PA, Saturday, September 12, 2009