Thomas Beter

Thomas Beter, 87, of Lower Burrell, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 21, 2016.

He was born June 6, 1928, in Irwin, to the late Esper & Mary Obade Beter, was a graduate of Norwin High School and attended Wheeling Jesuit College on a football scholarship.  He proudly served his country in the Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan as a medic.

Mr. Beter was a local business owner and started his career with Charley Brothers in Greensburg.  His first store was Tom’s Red & White in Russellton, which became the Russellton Shop-n-Save.  He also owned Shop-n-Save Supermarkets in Tarentum and Kittanning.  He was an avid fan of Basketball and Football, and also Western movies, especially those starring John Wayne. 

He was a member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church of New Kensington, the Order of St. Ignatius, and the Phoenician Club.  He also was a member of the Free & Accepted Masons, the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, was on the Board of Directors of the Irwin Bank, and was a strong supporter of the New Kensington/Lower Burrell Public Library.  

Surviving are his loving wife of 62 years, Gladys Ofiesh Beter; adoring children, Emily A. Snyder of Fairfax, VA and Thomas N. (Elizabeth) Beter of Lower Burrell; grandchildren, Kristen Marie (Brandon McDoniel) Snyder, Elliot T. Beter, Lauren Elizabeth (Gene) Carlini, Kimberly Ann (Aneesh Mehta) Snyder-Mehta, and Alexander N. Beter; two great-grandchildren, Anna Carlini and Evan Thomas Carlini; and siblings, Albert Beter, Elizabeth Sam and Helen Jacobs.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a great-grandson Gabriel Carlini; son-in-law, Philip W. Snyder; and siblings Abraham, Rose, Mary, Richard, Virginia and Eli.

Viewing will be 2-4 & 6-8 PM on Tuesday in ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, where a Trisagion Service will be held Tuesday at 7:30 PM.  A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 AM in St. George Orthodox Church, 1150 Leishman Avenue, New Kensington.  Anyone attending the service is asked to go directly to the church.  Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell.  Those desiring may contribute to St. George Church in his memory. 

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