Jan 1, 2013

John Franklin “Frank” Roberts, 87, of Washington, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, January 1, 2013.

He was born June 22, 1925, in Pine Bank, Greene County, a son of the late Blaine and Sarah “Dossie” Cole Roberts.

Mr. Roberts proudly served his country as a private first class in the 1st Company, 15th Infantry Regiment, during World War II from 1943 to 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valorous conduct in combat while in France in 1944. Upon discharge, he had earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze stars and one bronze arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal and French Croix De Guerre.

For more than 60 years, he lived in Beaver, where he and his wife, Dorothy, raised two daughters. They recently moved to Strabane Trails Village retirement community in South Strabane Township, but never forgot their wonderful friends and lasting memories of Beaver.

Mr. Roberts was a 50-year member of First Presbyterian Church of Beaver and a member of St. James Lodge 457 of Free and Accepted Masons.

He retired as an electrician from Westinghouse Electric Corp. after 38 years and later became known around Beaver as “the bicycle man.” He often could be seen at Saturday morning yard sales, buying old bikes and repairing them only to give them away again to children of family, friends and neighbors. His family estimates Mr. Roberts bought and repaired at least 150 bicycles.

He enjoyed traveling, playing cards and croquet, was an avid golfer and loved homemade ice cream. He was fond of deer hunting and looked forward to annual trips to Pine Bank in November to stay at their deer camp, also known as “Roots” to family and friends.

Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years, Dorothy Martin Roberts; two daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Rebecca) Korosec of Weirton, W.Va., and Mrs. Herbert (Mary) Thompson of Waynesburg; and four granddaughters, Mrs. Eric (Lissa) Dulick and Emily Korosec of Weirton, Michelle Thompson of Carnegie and Mrs. Jesse (Jessica) Harrison of Waynesburg. He was immensely proud of “his girls” and treasured the time he spent with his family.

Also surviving are a sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Scott Kent; a brother, Roy Roberts, all of Beaver; four sisters-in-law, Jean Roberts of Burgettstown, Allene Roberts of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Claire Roberts of Erie and Lorraine Roberts of Beaver; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by seven brothers, Ewing, John S, Donovan, Lawrence, Lloyd, Robert and Blaine Jr. Roberts; and two sisters, Evelyn Houser and Ruth Ann Masters.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Behm Funeral Home, 182 West High Street, Waynesburg, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 4, with the Rev. Donald Wilson. Interment will be held in Pine Bank Cemetery, Greene County, with graveside military honors by American Legion Post 330, Disabled American Veterans 123 and Veterans of Foreign Wars 4793, all of Waynesburg. Condolences may be offered at www.behmfh.com.