Baumgarten – 100 years
John F. Baumgarten Sr. of Finleyville, formerly of Bethel Park, will celebrate his 100th birthday with a dinner with friends and family at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Finleyville.
He was born August 28, 1916, in Bethel Township.
On June 25, 1937, he married Madeline Messner. The couple were married for 72 years before her death in 2009.
His children are John F. Baumgarten Jr. of Mobile, Ala., and the late Madeline Hartman-Baumgarten.
His grandchildren are Deborah Hurrell, Cynthia Elliot, John F. Baumgarten III, Robert Baumgarten, Edward Baumgarten, James Baumgarten, Angela Baumgarten-Harmon and the late Carl John Baumgarten. He also has 15 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Mr. Baumgarten was a mechanic for 55 years and a sales manager and district supervisor for 17 years. He retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in August 1978.
He enjoys writing songs and has performed in the Mon Valley Senior Citizens’ annual Showboat for several years. He is known for his previous yard work, beautiful flowers, building antique car models and matchstick riverboats, carving peach stones and various crafts.