H. John Black, 89, of Indiana, Pa., died Sunday at the Beacon Ridge Nursing Home.

He was born at home near Marion Center on Aug. 19, 1923, the son of Walter D. and Martha Lee (Neal) Black.

He was a 1941 graduate of Marion Center High School.

In World War II, John participated in the Omaha Beach landings, and also the Bastogne Breakout in 1944. He was awarded five battle citations, including the EAME Service Metal with five Bronze Stars.

In 1985, he retired from Agway after 45 years of service.

John was a member of local 4-H and FFA programs, Disabled Veterans, and was a lifetime member of VFW Post 1989. He was a founding member of the Valley Forge Christian Business Men's Committee, and with his wife, Erla Mae, he founded and led the St. Andrews Presbyterian Sunday Supper Forum, a young couples' discussion group in Butler. At the time of his passing, he was a longtime member of the Graystone Presbyterian Church in Indiana, Pa.

He is survived by his son, Robert Black of West Warwick, R.I., and his daughter, Peg Plante of Indiana, Pa. He is also survived by a sister, Betty Lee Reinsburrow of Johnsonburg, Pa., and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Black was preceded in death by his wife, Erla Mae (Dumbaugh) Black, who he married on April 25, 1946; two sisters, Ruth Eleanor Bailey and Dr. Doris Jean Mitchell; a brother, Richard Black, and his parents.

BLACK — Friends of H. John Black, who died Sunday, May 26, 2013, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Indiana, Pa. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Graystone Presbyterian Church, Indiana, Pa., with the Rev. Richard Cassel officiating. A reception will follow the service at the church. A private interment service will be held for the family at Butler County Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Family Hospice of Indiana County or to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.