John A. Moninger, 95, of Washington, PA, passed away on August 17, 2017 at Strabane Woods. He was born on February 27, 1922 in Lone Pine, PA. a son of Arnet Owen and Helen Webb Moninger. He spent his early childhood in Mannington, W.V. and moved to Washington, PA where he attended eighth ward, Clark school and graduated from Washington High School in June 1941. On September 22, 1942, he married the former Arlene Johnson and celebrated 54 years of marriage before her death on August 23, 1997. Mr. Moninger was a member of the Amity United Methodist Church.
He was inducted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and served under General George S. Patton's third army all the way across Germany and was ordered to go north into Belgium for the Battle of the Bulge. After Germany surrendered, he was sent to Manila to clear the beaches of Japan for the invasion.
Following the end of WWII, he returned to the states to Amity where he set up a radio and television repair shop for several years while working at Jessop Steel for 28 years in the Specialties Department. He took correspondence courses for Advanced Radio Electronics that allowed him to get a First Class Radio Television operator's license. After obtaining the license he was assigned the call letters: WA3VK by the FCC. Something he was very, very proud of.
He left Jessop Steel and was employed for a short stent at RCA. After a cut back there he went to work for ATT in Sycamore, PA. Later was transferred to the Washington D.C. area and was advanced to microwave radio antenna engineering, retiring in March, 1987.
Upon retirement he and his wife returned to Washington, PA where he was involved with the American Legion Post 175. He was the bugler for many years at military funerals which he loved. He was also a South Strabane Township volunteer fireman. He took a course to be an EMT so he could respond and assist at almost any situation. Mr. Moninger could always be found at his workbench in the basement working on a radio or some sort of electronic equipment.
He also worked on a patent for a tester to check spark plugs. He was interviewed on KDKA to promote it, and got to meet Mrs. Fields, the woman who started the famous chocolate chips cookie while attending an inventor's expo in Monroeville.
He is survived by two children; Dawn O'Brien of Washington, PA and a son, Ed Moninger (Marie) of Silver Spring, MD. 5 grandchildren; Patricia O'Brien Roche (John), Mindy O'Brien Mercer (John), Allison Moninger, Aaron Moninger (Corrie), Ashelee Moninger Weltmer (Ben). 10 great grandchildren: Lauren, Nick, and Jackson Mercer, Henry and Ella Moninger, SeanMichael and Jonathan Roche, Peyton, Alexa and Jax Weltmer, and a half sister Melva Willy and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are sisters: Lois Norgaar, Oda Horn and Mildred Bentley and a half sister Lurene McDonald.The family would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Gateway Hospice for all the care, support and love they provided, especially Mindy, Ashley, Des, Becky, and Pam and Rev. Sue and social worker, Kim.
Family and friends will be received from 4 until 8 P.M. Sunday August 20, 2017 in the Nichol Funeral Home 1873 East Maiden Street Washington PA where funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday August 21, 2017 with the Rev. Sue Petritis, of Gateway Hospice officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Washington Cemetery.
