Brandon Lee Tabler, 35, of Canonsburg, Pa., passed away Thursday, Feb. 24, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Brandon was born July 29, 1986, in Marietta, Ohio, to Kimberly L. and Amy Beth (Coffey) Tabler.
Born on the autism spectrum, Brandon was a special character whose perspective was always unique, often refreshing and sometimes brutally honest. Brandon grew up in Williamstown and graduated from Williamstown High School in 2005. Brandon never met a stranger and enjoyed making new friends. He liked trying the latest fast-food creations and watching TV, especially anime and cartoons. He was also a dedicated football fan who rooted for the Ohio State Buckeyes, West Virginia University Mountaineers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He loved animals, especially his cats, Lacey, Lily, Tiffany and Tommy, and his sister’s pug, Pepper. Like a cat with many lives, Brandon battled more significant health challenges in recent years than most people could ever endure. He always appreciated kindness, respect and understanding amid his many struggles and frustrations.
Brandon is survived by his parents, Amy and Kim Tabler, of Canonsburg, Pa.; his sister and brother-in-law, Cassie (Shaner) and Jason Rice, of Morgantown; his maternal grandmother, Anita Coffey, of McConnelsville, Ohio; his paternal grandmother, Mary Tabler, of Amesville, Ohio; uncle, Casey Coffey and wife Erin, of New Lexington, Ohio; aunt, Peggy Lawyer and husband Lance, of Blue Rock, Ohio; aunt, Kelly Coffey, of Zanesville; aunt, Traci Pryor, of Bartlett, Ohio; cousins, Hadley Coffey, Amanda Hagans, Katie Eisenhart, April Keller, David Allen Pryor and more; and many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by grandfathers, Bradley Tabler and Richard P. Coffey, grandmother, Wilma Mayle, and great-grandmother Edna Ropeter.
Brandon will be cremated, and there will be no public visitation. A private memorial service will be held Thursday, March 3, with family and close friends at the Church of the Gospel Ministry in McConnelsville, Ohio. Matheney Funeral Home in McConnelsville, Ohio is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, his family encourages memorial donations to autism research organizations, such as Autism Speaks, the Autism Research Institute, the Organization for Autism Research and more.
