JOHN J. CLUNE Jr., 72

MERCER, Pa. -- Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home, Sharon, for John J. Clune Jr., 72, of 7266 W. Market St., who died early Saturday in UPMC Horizon Hospital, Farrell, after a short illness.
Mr. Clune was born April 10, 1928, in Sharon, a son of John J. Sr. and Margaret V. Diegan Clune. A graduate of West Middlesex High School, he was a member of Central Christian Church, Hermitage, and served on its pastoral committee. He retired as an electrician after 25 years of service with GATX Corp. in Masury, and later worked for Pinkerton Security Services for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the Hermitage office of the Department of Public Assistance.
He was precinct judge for the Mercer County Board of Elections, was a member and past chaplain of Hermitage Lodge #810 F. & amp;A.M. and VFW Post #6166 in Hermitage. An avid sportsman, he was a member of the Western Reserve Sportsman's Federation. He volunteered for many years in the trout release and stocking program with the Department of Natural Resources, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. An Army veteran of the Korean War, he served with the famed 45th Infantry Division known as the "Thunderbirds."
His first wife, the former Betty Lou Diefender, whom he married April 1952, died July 1962.
His wife, the former Ernestine L. Johnson, whom he married Sept. 1, 1974, died Feb. 12, 1998.
He leaves a daughter, Deborah L. Sackett of Hubbard; two sons, John J. III of Austintown and Charles E. of Cortland; a brother, Dr. Patrick F. of Hermitage; three sisters, Margaret Pilipovich and Mary Ann Burdorf, both of Las of Las Vegas, Nev., and Betty Jane Heldt of Lake Forest, Calif.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A sister, Patricia Reynolds, a brother, Charles, a grandchild and a great-grandchild are deceased.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, where a Masonic service will be at 9 p.m. by the Hermitage Lodge #810 F. & amp;A.M. Contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Western Reserve Sportsman's Federation, c/o the funeral home, 555 E. State St., Sharon 16146.
3/4/01