John P. Batcho Jr. (Baca, Bactho)
John P. Batcho Jr. (Baca, Bactho), age 81, of Smithfield, Pa., was called home to be with his Lord on Thursday, January 20, 2005. John was born November 6, 1923, in Crucible, Pa., son of John Batcho and Mary Gergel Batcho.
John was a member of Cherry Tree Alliance Church in Uniontown, Pa.
He retired from Pitney Bowes after 32 years of service and from the United States Postal Service after 41/2 years of service.
As a World War II Veteran, John enlisted in the United States Army Corps of Engineers and was honorably discharged from the United States Army as a Disabled American Veteran. John was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal, Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal while serving in the Army.
During his life he was a member of the Smithfield Ambulance Service, the Gideon International and The Barber Shop Chorus.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Joseph Bactho of Cleveland, Ohio.
Surviving relatives who sadly miss John are his wife of 56 years, Roberta “Bertie Peck” Batcho; three children: Christine M. Williams of Smithfield, Pa., Sharon E. Kopf and her husband, George, of Wheatland, Wyoming, and Scott D. Batcho of Fairbanks, Alaska; six grandchildren: Hayley M. Altman of Woodland Park, Colorado, Christopher J. M. Kopf and his wife, Patricia, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Shannon M. Kopf of Wheatland, Wyoming, Stephen A. Williams of Steger, Illinois, Matthew D. Williams of Niles, Michigan, and Scott D. Batcho II of Everett, Pa.; five great grandchildren: Julie L. Schultz, Kristan E. Schultz and Eric R. Schultz Jr. all of Woodland Park, Colorado, Kylie R. Kopf of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Christian R. Kopf of Wheatland, Wyoming; one sister, Mary Ann Rajewski and her husband, Henry A., of Bradenton, Florida; a niece, Joyce A. Pipken and her husband, John W.; and a sister-in-law, Eileen Bactho.
The family will receive friends in the GOLDSBORO-TOMI FUNERAL HOME, 21 East Church Street, Fairchance, Pa., on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, January 26, until 11 a.m., the hour of Service with the Rev. Jack Herman, the Rev. Robert Ellenberger and the Rev. Scott Teets officiating.
Interment will follow in Mountain View Memorial Park, Brownfield, Pa., where graveside Military Rites will be accorded by General George C. Marshall AMVETS Post 103 of Hopwood, Pa.