John "Jack" Caldwell

John T. “Jack” Caldwell, 84, of Hickory, died Monday, September 12, 2011, in Donnell House, following a three-year battle with melanoma. He was born December 20, 1926, in Avella, a son of John and Helen Stewart Caldwell. Mr. Caldwell was a 1944 graduate of Hickory High School, attended Virginia Military Institute, and served in the Army during World War II. For 39 years, he worked at Koppers Co., retiring as production control supervisor. Mr. Caldwell was a member of Hickory United Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon and was a member of the session. An active volunteer in the community, he was a charter member of the Hickory Lions Club, served as a Mt. Pleasant Township Supervisor, was a 16-year member of Fort Cherry School Board, and was a founding member of Hickory Youth Baseball. In addition he originated the current Veterans Memorial in Hickory. Mr. Caldwell was a Democratic Committeeman for many years and was active in democratic politics in Washington County. He enjoyed spending winters in Sarasota, Florida. Mr. Caldwell enjoyed trains and loved baseball and softball, playing until his 80th birthday. Above all else, he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and family. On Sept 9, 1949, he married Elaine Reedy, who died August 12, 2010. Surviving are two sons, Gregory J. (Judy) Caldwell and Douglas S. (Pamela) Caldwell, both of Hickory; a daughter, Michelle (Robert) Pintar of Canonsburg; one brother, Donald Caldwell of Hollywood, California; two sisters, Marjorie Curran of Hickory and Barbara Fasnacht of Washington; eight grandchildren, Steven Caldwell, David Caldwell, Daniel Caldwell, Brianne Sieg, Julie Holmes, Matthew Pintar, Christopher Pintar and Laura Pintar; four great-grandchildren, Aiden Caldwell, Matt Sieg, Sophia Holmes and Emerson Holmes; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are a brother, Gerald Caldwell, and a sister, Shirley Fryer. Friends will be received Wednesday from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Additional visitation will be held Thursday, September 15th, from Noon to 1 p.m., in Hickory United Presbyterian Church, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m., with Rev. R. Douglas Reinard and Rev. Ben Robinson co-officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Prospect Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. Memorial contributions may be made to University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Melanoma Research, UPCI – UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Suite 1-B, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232; or to Donnell House, Hospice Care of the Washington Hospital, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.