John J. Liberatore

John J. Liberatore, age 85 of New Philadelphia, died early Thursday, December 23, 2010, in his home following a period of declining health.A son of the late Nick and Florence Marcione Liberatore, John was born at New Philadelphia on December 30, 1924. He was a 1942 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and entered into the United States Army from 1943 to 1945, earning two bronze stars during his service in Northern France and the Central European Theatre.On November 22, 1961, at Dover, Ohio, John married the former Phyllis Barbee and as a couple raised five children and recently celebrated 49 years of marriage.For 28 years, John was employed by the United States Postal Service where he served as a carrier and a clerk. He was an avid sports fan of the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Browns. Anyone who knew him understood when visiting John; there was sure to be some channel surfing of at least three different games at any one time on the television. Questions and stats of sports trivia were sure to be part of the conversation as well.In his younger years, John played the position of short-stop for a number of area softball teams. He also enjoyed bowling and played in numerous leagues throughout the years.In addition to his wife, Phyllis, John leaves behind a family that includes five children, Becky (Dan) Harding of New Philadelphia, Peggy (Bruce) Sherman of Shaker Heights, Ohio, John Paulin of High Point, North Carolina, Nick (Natalie) Liberatore of Solon, Ohio and Steve (Kelly) Liberatore of Greensborough, North Carolina; two brothers, Tony Libertore of High Point, North Carolina and Dominic (Bernita) Liberatore of LaPorte, Indiana; and a sister, Regina Sligar of Las Vegas, Nevada.Eight grandchildren, Matt (Jamie) Harding, Danielle (Dustin) Zimmerman, Andrea McDonald, Luke and Ben Liberatore, Madison, Grace and Claire Liberatore; one great-grandchild, Branson Harding and numerous nieces and nephews complete the family.In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by three brothers; Albert, Corden, and Eugene Liberatore; and three sisters, Rose Arpino, Jennie Sewell, and Elizabeth Liberatore.The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 26, 2010, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with Christian Wake service beginning at 4:45 PM. Father Jeff Coning will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, December 27, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia with members of the Carl C. Stoller VFW Post #1445 rendering military honors.Following services the family will return to the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the New Philadelphia funeral home, where a meal and fellowship will be shared.The family requests memorial contributions in John’s name may be directed to Community Hospice, 201 W Third Street, Dover, Ohio 44622 or to Sacred Heart Church, 139 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.