Don Verholtz
Don Verholtz, 94, of Canonsburg, passed away peacefully Monday, November 15, 2021, in his home of 71 years, with his family by his side. He was born April 12, 1927, in Canonsburg, a son of the late John J. and Josephine E. Tomsic Verholtz.
Don grew up in the village of Strabane, attended Alexander Grade School and was a 1945 Trinity High School graduate. At age 17, he and four Trinity High School buddies decided in the high school lunch room to join the Navy to fight in World War II. Because of their age, they needed their parents’ permission and to pass midterm exams to enlist. Mr. Verholtz proudly served as a corpsman at naval bases with the United States Navy, during World War II in San Diego, Calif., and the Korean War in Philadelphia.
Don attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and then went on to work with HH Robertson Corporation for 40 years as an iron worker, retiring as a supervisor in 1986.
He was a faithful member St. Patrick Church of St. Oscar Romero Parish and a member of the former St. Genevieve Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Verholtz was a member of the Canon-McMillan School Board from 1963 through 1969.
Don enjoyed traveling and most especially spending time with his family. Don enjoyed polka dancing, was an avid golfer and learned to snow ski at age 60. Don truly liked to entertain at pool parties at his home. He loved his home, especially sitting on the back porch watching animals in his backyard and tooling around the neighborhood on his golf cart.
He was a member of the KSKJ (Carniolan Slovene Catholic Union) St. Jerome Lodge 153 and the SNPJ (Slovene National Benefit Society) Lodge 138, both of Strabane, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 of Canonsburg, American Legion Post 902 of Houston and Houston Independent Club.
On April 15, 1950, he married Chesteria T. “Celie” Mals, who passed away February 4, 1998, after 47 years of marriage.
Left behind to cherish his memory are his three daughters, Barbara Smith of Washington, Donna (David) Dittmar of Strabane and Patti Burnside of North Strabane Township; his son, John “JD” Verholtz of North Strabane Township; his beloved grandchildren, Patrick Smith, Brandon (Melanie) Dittmar, Christopher (Angie) Dittmar, Lauren Dittmar, Dylan K. Price and Matthew J. Verholtz; great-granddaughter, Angela Dittmar; sister, Gertrude Zanin of Henderson, Nev.; brother-in-law, Joseph Mals of Strabane; aunt, Agnes Bostjancic of Washington; his lady friend, Mary Krese of Uniontown; with three more Dittmar great-grandchildren on the way and many special nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, are his sister, Evelyn Frank; daughter-in-law, Mary Beth Verholtz; and son-in-law, Hal Smith.
Don had numerous friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He will be dearly missed.
Friends and family are welcome from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, November 19, in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra LFD, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where departing prayers will be recited at 9:40 a.m. Saturday, November 20, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick Church of St. Oscar Romero Parish, 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg.
Interment, with full military honors by the VFW Post 191 Honor Guard and the United States Navy, will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery.
To view or extend condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.