John Robert Lachendro, 79, of 2000 May Drive in Zelienople, formerly of North Duffy Road, died at 2:12 p.m. Monday at the Passavant Retirement Community, Zelienople.

Born in Pittsburgh, July 30, 1926, he was the son of John R. and Cecilia Jesionowski Lachendro.

He was an alumnus of Central Catholic High School, the Bliss Electric Technical School and the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics.

Mr. Lachendro was a Navy veteran of World War II and retired June 1, 1988, from management at American Telephone & Telegraph.

Mr. Lachendro was a member of St. Gregory Roman Catholic Church, Zelienople. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the Antique Airplane Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum, the American Model Association and the Butler Area Radio Controlled Flyers.

He also was a volunteer driver for the Red Cross.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret "Peg" McCarthy Lachendro; a daughter, Ruth Anne Lachendro of Grove City; and five sons, James Richard Lachendro of Scotland, Stephen Julian Lachendro of Butler, Edward Michael Lachendro of Beaver Dam, Wis., Michael Alan Lachendro of Reno, Nev., and Mark Timothy Lachendro of Cranberry Township; and 16 grandchildren.

He also is survived by a brother, Leonard Lachendro of Lodi, Calif.; a sister, Larraine Mutschler of Pittsburgh; and a number of nieces and nephews.

<B>LACHENDRO</B>— Friends of John Robert Lachendro, who died Monday, July 3, 2006, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St. Services will be at noon Friday at St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church, Meridian, with the Rev. George Palick officiating. Burial will be at the Butler County Memorial Park, Butler Township.Memorial contributions may be made to St. Gregory Roman Catholic Church Building Fund, 2 W. Beaver St., Zelienople, PA 16063; or to the Lutheran Senior Life Foundation, 401 S. Main St., Zelienople, PA 16063.Information also is available at www.thompson-miller.com.