John Wayne McIntyre, 68, of Fredonia died Tuesday at VA Butler Healthcare after a long battle with MS.

Born Oct. 3, 1941, in Grove City, he was the son of the late John Hedglin and the late Erma R. (McDougall) Hedglin McIntyre and his late stepfather, John Henry McIntyre, who adopted him.

John graduated from Sharon High School in 1962.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1966 aboard the USS Everett F Larson DD-830 and the USS Harry E. Hubbard DD-748.

After leaving the Navy, he worked at Westinghouse in Grove City and at the U.S. Civil Service Commission in Boyers. He later transferred to the offices in Washington, D.C., where he retired from civil service in 1982.

After retirement, he was very active in fighting for veteran's rights. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 55 in Mercer County and the chapter in Butler County, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars 1338 in Mercer County, where he was commander from 1999 to 2000. He also was a member of the American Legion 945 in Harrisburg, the Military Order of the Cootie of the U.S., holding the position of past Seam Squirrel.

He was an avid supporter of the National Rifle Association at the Golden Eagle level as well as a generous supporter of numerous charities.

Surviving are a nephew and his wife, William and Kelly W. McIntyre of Oceanside, Calif., and their daughter, Bridgett; a niece and her husband, Mary and Erik Webb of California and their two children, Dawnica and Robert; and by various cousins, aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather and a brother, Edgar L. McIntyre.

<B>MCINTYRE</B> — Private services for John Wayne McIntyre, who died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, have been held. Burial at sea will take place in the Pacific Ocean.Contributions may be made to Keystone Paralyzed of America, 800-775-9323.Arrangements are by <B>Young Funeral Home</B>, Butler.For more information, go to www.youngfuneralhomes.com.