Pennsylvania Statutes Title 16 Pa.C.S.A. Counties § 15508. Definitions

As used in this subchapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Deceased serviceperson.”  The term includes:

(1) A deceased individual who, at the time of death, was serving, whether or not in a combat zone, in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or a women's organization officially connected to those forces, during a war or armed conflict in which the United States has been, is now or shall be engaged, or who, at the time of death, was serving in a zone in which a campaign or state or condition of war or armed conflict then existed, in which the United States was, is or shall be a participant.  The existence of a campaign or state or condition of war or armed conflict, and the participation of the United States in the conflict as well as the fact that the deceased person served in a zone in which a campaign or state or condition of war or armed conflict existed shall, in each case, be established by the records of the United States Department of Defense.

(2) A deceased individual who served at any time during the individual's life and whose separation from service was honorable, whether by discharge or otherwise, or who, at the time of death, was continuing in service after the cessation of the war, armed conflict, campaign or state or condition of war during or in which the person served.

(3) A deceased individual who was in active service in the militia of the Commonwealth under a proclamation issued by the Governor during the Civil War and who was not duly mustered into the service of the United States but was honorably discharged or relieved from service.

“Legal residence.”  An actual residence, coupled with the intention that the residence shall be permanent, or a residence presently fixed with no definite intention of changing it or of returning to a former residence at some future period.  Legal residence shall be determined by the abode of a person and the person's intention to abandon a former domicile and establish a new one.  The legal residence of a deceased serviceperson shall be prima facie in the county in which the person resided at the time of death.