Section 8061 - DefinitionThe term "deceased service persons", as used in this act, shall be defined and construed to mean and include:
(1) Any deceased person, who at the time of his or her death, was serving (whether or not in a combat zone) in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard during any war or armed conflict in which the United States has been, is now or shall hereafter be engaged, or who, at the time of his or her death, was serving in a zone where 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 therein, as well as the fact that the deceased person served in a zone where such campaign or state or condition of war or armed conflict existed, shall in each case be established by the records of the War or Naval Departments of the Federal Government; or(2) Any deceased person who had so served at any time during his or her life, and whose separation from such service was honorable, whether by discharge or otherwise, or who at the time of his or her death was continuing in such service after the cessation of the war, armed conflict, campaign or state or condition of war during or in which he or she served; or(3) Any deceased person who was in active service in the militia of the State of Pennsylvania, under and in pursuance of any proclamation issued by the Governor, during the Civil War and not duly mustered into the service of the United States, and has been honorably discharged or relieved from such service. The term "legal residence" as used in this act shall be construed as synonymous with "domicile", and is hereby defined as actual residence, coupled with intention that it 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 is to be determined by abode of person, and his or her intention to abandon his or her former domicile and establish a new one. The legal residence of a deceased service person shall be prima facie in the county where he or she made his or her abode at the time of his or her death.
1935, June 11, P.L. 326, § 1. Amended 1943, May 21, P.L. 294, § 1; 1955, Sept. 27, P.L. 591, § 1; 1955, Dec. 13, P.L. 844, § 1.