John L. Betonte
John L. Betonte, 95, of Houston, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday, December 12, 2018, in his home.
He was born June 19, 1923, in Strabane, a son of Dominic and Mamie Wright Betonte.
Mr. Betonte was a veteran, serving with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
He worked for 40 years at Conrail, retiring in 1982.
Mr. Betonte was a member of South Canonsburg Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 553, Strabane.
He loved his vegetable garden and was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers fan.
On December 31, 1966, he married Mary Louise Laschinsky Novak. He lost the love of his life September 3, 2009.
Surviving are a daughter, Sondra Trainer (John) of Houston; a son, James Novak (Lisa) of Pittsburgh; four grandchildren, Sondra Stefano (Donald), Tina Barnhart, Mary Miller (Steve) and Teckla O’Connor (Michael); five great-grandchildren, Halena Griffith, Crystal Barnhart, Jaimie Stockavas (Jake), Lacie Barnhart and Niko Putz; a great-great-grandson, Collin Barnhart; two sisters, Rosella Lytle of Strabane and Eleanor “Dude” Zaricki of Canonsburg; his best friend and brother-in-law, John “Bernie” Harrison (Lola); and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are a son, Ronald “Toose” Novak; a brother, Frank Betonte; and a sister, Martha Hartman.
Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, where services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, December 15.
Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.