John Butcher
John Butcher, 83, a longtime resident of Point Marion, Pa., passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at his home.
Born June 3, 1930, at Walnut Hill in Dilliner, Greene County, he was a son of the late Marko and Barbara (Sosteric) Bacan Butcher.
A member of the Class of 1950 at Point Marion High School, he served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. While in the Army, John was selected to be in the elite corps as an honor guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. After the service, he graduated from Lakeland Business College in Toledo, Ohio. He was fluent in several languages, which helped him as the owner of a credit collection agency in Toledo. He also owned the American Fireplace Company of Toledo. When he relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, John owned a neighborhood tavern called The Orange Tree.
In 1973, John and his wife returned to Point Marion, where he was the proprietor of White House Inn, a popular night club located along Route 119 South, near Morgantown, that hosted well known bands of the era, and was filled to capacity every weekend.
Later, John formed the CJ & J Corporation, a business of real estate and rental properties in the Point Marion area. Following his retirement, the properties continue to be managed by his son.
John was very active in community events. He was a Past President of the Point Marion Chamber of Commerce and served on their committee that originated the Albert Gallatin Regatta, an event that is still held each Memorial Day weekend in Point Marion; and he was a life member of the American Legion, Post 499 in Point Marion.
Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Mary Jane (Clark) Butcher, who he married in September of 1953; one son, John M. ‘Squawk’ Butcher (Monica); a granddaughter, Celine, all of Point Marion; a grandson, John Mark Butcher of Maryland; three sisters: Ellen Butcher Marinsek and Katherine Butcher Wyda, both of Point Marion and Margee Butcher McMorrow (Damon) of Orrville, Ohio; and a number of loving nieces and nephews.
Deceased are two sisters, Ann Bacon Herron and Mary Jean Bacan Ellis, and a brother, George Bacan.
Friends will be received in the RICHARD R. HEROD FUNERAL HOME, Point Marion, today from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Interment follows in Evergreen Memorial Park, Point Marion, with military honors accorded by the Point Marion Veterans Posts.
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