Francis A. Derose

Francis A. DeRose, 82, of Washington, died Saturday, January 31, 2009, in Humbert Lane Health Care Center. He was born September 2, 1926, in Washington, a son of Charles and Irene Stellavatto DeRose. Mr. DeRose graduated from Trinity High School in January 1945. Following graduation, he was inducted into the United States Army Air Forces and served with the 42nd Bombardment Squadron, 11th Bombardment Group, until his honorable discharge as a Technician, Fifth Class, on November 20, 1946. During his service, he spent a year in the Philippines. He was awarded the World War II Victory Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon and a Good Conduct Medal. Following his military service, Mr. DeRose attended two years of school at West Penn Technical and then worked as a tool designer at Cooper Industries until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of Holy Trinity National Catholic Church. On August 6, 1949, he married Thelma Desmond, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Kevin and Jeffrey DeRose, both of South Park ; two brothers, Charles DeRose of Springfield, Virginia and Robert DeRose of Cokeburg; and four grandchildren, Haley Nicole, Elisa Christine, Angela Ardis and Bethany Jane DeRose. Friends will be received Tuesday, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM in the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 3, 2009, at 10 AM in Holy Trinity National Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. The family is requesting memorial donations be made to: Holy Trinity National Catholic Church, 605 Hewitt Ave., Washington, PA 15301 or Washington Hospital Hospice, 155 Wilson Ave., Washington, PA 15301. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery.