Joseph P. Veltre, Sr.

Joseph Patrick Veltre, Sr., 90, of Washington, died Tuesday, March 5, 2013, in Humbert Lane Nursing Home. He was born April 23, 1922, in Broughton, Allegheny County, a son of Frank and Sarah Romano Veltre, who were born in Italy. Mr. Veltre was a 1941 graduate of Trinity High School. A World War II veteran, he served in the Navy from October 5, 1943, until his honorable discharge on January 3, 1946, with a rank of Signalman, second class. During his time in the Navy, Mr. Veltre attended the University of Illinois Signal School, played on the Naval Baseball Team and served on the USS Strong DD758. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Navy Occupation Medal – Japan. For 30 years, Mr. Veltre worked as a pressman at General Motors in Dravosburg. He enjoyed fishing and was an inductee of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for baseball. Mr. Veltre was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. On June 12, 1947, he married Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Havener, who died June 13, 2010. Surviving are three sons, Joseph P. Veltre Jr. of Washington, Gary (Becky) Veltre of Nineveh and John (Mary Ann) Veltre of Harrisville; twin daughters, Mary Elizabeth (Tom) Riddle of Parkersburg, West Virginia and Myra (Larry “Sonny”) Decker of Springfield, Missouri; 12 grandchildren, Valerie Veltre, Joseph Riddle, Devlin Moyers, Holly Riddle, Meghan Asher, Samuel Veltre, Joseph Veltre III, Sarah Veltre, Elizabeth Veltre, Logan Veltre, Curtis Veltre and Levi Decker; four great-grandchildren, Dilynn Riddle, Maya Riddle, Caroline Moyers and Clark Louderback. He was the last of his immediate family. Deceased are brothers, Samuel, John, Leonard, and Anthony Veltre; and sisters, Angeline Sharik, Theresa Chamber and Mary Polinski. Friends will be received from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m., the time of service, Saturday, March 9th, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington. Private burial will be held in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Military rites will be accorded at the funeral home by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175.