Emilio E. “Mert” Uberti, 87, of 545 South St. Marys Street, St. Marys, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at the Pinecrest Manor, after a lengthy illness.
He was born November 25, 1929, in Force, son of the late John C. and Stella Porta Uberti. He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Jay Township High School, Class of 1947. He was a retired employee of Stackpole Carbon Company, retiring in 1987 with over 41 years of service.
On June 25, 1955, in the Sacred Heart Church, Mert married Mary Joan Puncheon, who preceded him in death on January 31, 2017.
Mert is survived by four daughters, Victoria Nugent and her husband James of Penfield, NY, Marianne Howell of State College, Julia Navolio and her husband Chris of Apex, NC, and Tina Meyer and her husband Jeffrey of St. Marys; a son, Gerard P. Uberti and his wife Julie of St. Marys; 14 grandchildren, Colin (Kelley) Nugent, Alyssa (Dan) Mezynski, Lauren Nugent, Dr. J R (Jana) Howell, Dr. Hayley (Wes) Pederson, Dr. Alexandra Howell, Whitney Howell, Benjamin Uberti, William Uberti, Olivia Navolio, Francesca Navolio, Adam Meyer, Abby Meyer, and Drew Meyer; and six great grandchildren, Quinn, Aidan, Brennan, Nolan, Parker, and James. He is also survived by a brother, Joseph Uberti and his wife Carolyn of Force; and by a brother-in-law, Eugene “Shady” Heser of St. Marys.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mert was preceded in death by a son, David John Uberti in 2001; four sisters, Irene Heser, Pearl Gardner, Edith Uberti, and Ida Uberti in infancy; and by four brothers, Ambrose, John Jr., Bruno, and Angelo Uberti.
Mert was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, where he served as an usher for over 50 years. He was a veteran of the US Army, serving in the Third Infantry Division, and was active in the Army Reserves from 1948 to 1955. Mert was also active in the Boy Scouts, serving as Cub Master of Pack 98, District Chairman of the Elk District of the Boy Scouts of America Bucktail Council, and on the District Committee and the Elk District Training Committee. He was a member of the Elk County Planning Commission, was President of St. Marys Borough Council, and served as Solicitor for the St. Marys United Way.
Mert served as President of the Elk County Catholic High School Athletic Association, was a founder of the Elk County Catholic Holiday Club, and was a Bingo worker at the school for 12 years. He served as a Cavalier Basketball board member for over 10 years and was a manager for Knothole Baseball for over 10 years. He was a member of the St. Marys Sportsmen’s Club and he spent many days working to build the Bavarian Hills Golf Club. He was also an avid Penn State fan. Mert was very proud of all the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Monday, March 27, 2017, at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, Pastor, officiating. Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday, March 26, 2017, from 5:00 until 8:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Elk County Catholic Athletic Association, 600 Maurus Street, St. Marys, PA 15857, or to a favorite charity.