John E. "Slim" Petro, 86

September 12, 2009

JULY 11, 1923-SEPT. 11, 2009

John E. "Slim" Petro, 86, of Hagerstown, Md., died Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, at Reeders Memorial Home in Boonsboro, Md.

Born July 11, 1923, in Northampton, Pa., he was the son of the late John A. and Mary Petro.

Mr. Petro was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Florence Petro, who died in 2005.

John was both a retired supervisor with Mack Trucks and a security officer with Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown.

He was a very proud Marine Corps veteran of World War II, serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.

He was an active member at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hagerstown, and served there as an usher for many years. He also was a longtime member and one-time Grand Knight for the local Knights of Columbus. He also belonged to the American Legion of Williamsport, Md., and the Brotherhood of Elks of Hagerstown.

Slim, as family and friends knew him, enjoyed daily get-togethers at a local hotel pool, evening card games with family and an occasional day trip to nearby Charles Town, W.Va.

Surviving are five children, John Petro and his wife, Linda, of Mount Airy, Md., Susan Gephart and her husband, Joe, of Salisbury, Md., Patricia Springer and her husband, Mike, of Hagerstown, Guy Petro and his friend, Kelli, of Halfway, Md., and Maria Shadrach and her husband, Scott, of Hagerstown; a brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Vivian Petro of Toms River, N.J.; one sister, Dorothy Miller of Toms River; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hagerstown. The Rev. Christopher Moore will be celebrant. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery, Hagerstown.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 17630 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740; Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, MD 21740; or Antietam Healthcare Foundation of Washington County Hospital, 251 E. Antietam St., Hagerstown, MD 21740.

Online condolences are accepted at www.minnichfh.com.

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