Major John R. Murtha Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Major John R. ‘Jack’ Murtha, Jr. Formerly of Chippewa Township Major John R. “Jack” Murtha, Jr., 93, of Enon Valley, formerly of Chippewa Twp., passed away May 19, 2018, at his residence. Born August 15, 1924, in Rochester, a son of the late John R. Sr. and Anna Biebl Murtha, he was a retired employee with the former St. Joe Minerals Corp., Potter Twp. He was also a retired Army Air Corps and Air Force Reservist. He served in World War II for two years as a fighter pilot flying the P-38. After his service in World War II, he became an Air Force Reservist for 39 years. He was Catholic by faith. He was a member of the Rochester BPOE Lodge 283, the Rochester VFW Post 128, the Flying Fiends and the P-38 National Association. While serving in World War II, he receive the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan. He is survived by his former wife, Vesta M. Murtha, South Beaver Twp.; one son and daughter-in-law, James A. Sr. and Beth Murtha, Lynchburg, Va.; two daughters and a son-in-law, Bette A. Newbury, West Pittsburg, Pa.; Barbara A. and David Wax, Tavares, Fla.; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Betty Murtha, Rochester. He was preceded in death by one son, Thomas A. Murtha; three brothers, William, Donald R. and Raymond Murtha, and one sister, Rita Wilbur. Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the WILLIAM MURPHY FUNERAL HOME INC., 349 Adams St., Rochester, where a service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Duane Herron of the Enon Valley Presbyterian Church. Interment will take place in Arlington National Cemetery. The Beaver County Special Unit will provide full military honors on Friday at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home. The family wishes memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 666675.

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Major John R. Murtha Jr.

August 15, 1924 - May 19, 2018