Beblo

George F. Beblo, 86, of Blossom Drive, Center Township, passed away peacefully Monday morning surrounded by his family, following a 21-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Butler, March 8, 1923, a son of the late John and Nora Szul Beblo.

A lifelong Butler resident and businessman, George was a retired well-known building contractor.

He was a member of the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Center Township; the Knights of Columbus, Butler Council 866; the American Legion Post 117 in Butler; the VFW Joseph Black Post 249; the Century Club; and the Esquire Club.

He enjoyed golf and bowling for many years, along with playing cards and metal detecting. However, his most precious time was spent with his children and grandchildren.

A veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, George was a staff sergeant with the 385th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded four Bronze Stars, the Victory Medal, the American Theatre Service and the EAME Theatre Service medals and a Good Conduct award.Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Dorothy Hortert Beblo, whom he married Feb. 14, 1953; two sons, Dennis G. (Cindy) Beblo of Butler and David G. (Jean) Beblo of Cincinnati; a daughter, Gail A. Gold and her husband, Bill, of San Antonio; five grandchildren, Matthew and Anna Gold and George, Henry and David Beblo; two brothers, Bernard (Cecelia) Beblo and Leo Beblo and his friend, Lorraine, all of Butler; and two sisters, Victoria Beblo and Bertha Beblo, both of Butler.He was preceded in death by a son, George "Rusty" Beblo, 9 years old, who they lost in 1977 from leukemia; three brothers, and seven sisters.

<B>BEBLO </B>— Friends of George F. Beblo, who died Monday, May 4, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at the St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1660 N. Main St., Butler. The Rev. James Salberg, pastor, will officiate. Entombment, following military honors, will be at the Chapel of Devotion Mausoleum at Butler County Memorial Park.The family requests memorial donations be made to the Repair Fund at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1660 N. Main St., Butler, PA 16001.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.