James E. Brecht

James E. Brecht, 84, of Jeannette, died Friday, January 31. 2020 in Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville.  He was born April 7, 1935 in Jeannette, a son of the late Hiram and Helen McCormick Brecht.  Prior to retirement he was a shipping and receiving supervisor at Westinghouse. He was a US Navy veteran having served during the Korean War.  He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Jeannette, the choir, member and chaplain of James Carasella American Legion Post #344, Jeannette VFW Post #8240, and the Jeannette Combined Veterans.  He was also a member of Tuesday night gentleman's bowling league, Wednesday senior bowling league and the USS Ross Association.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his second wife, Joann Carr Brecht, brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Margaret Brecht, niece Carol Friscarella, and a brother-in-law, Leonard "Red" Lander.  He is survived by his wife Maribeth Opick Brecht, three children; Deborah Depp and her husband Cliff, James Brecht and his wife Maria and Bill Beckner and his wife Annie, all of Jeannette, six grandchildren; Bill Beckner, Jr. and his wife Denise, Mandy Slivka and her husband Adam, Scott Beckner, Stephanie Depp, Joseph and Daniel Brecht, a great-granddaughter, Olivia Slivka, a sister-in-law Marilyn Lander of Jeannette and numerous nieces and nephews who adored him.  Friends will be received Monday 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 201 N. First St., Jeannette.  A funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:00 am in the Sacred Heart Church, 504 Cowan Avenue, Jeannette.  Interment with military honors accorded by the Jeannette Combined Veterans will follow in Jeannette Catholic Cemetery.  To send on-line condolences, visit www.mason-gelder.com.  The Jeannette Combined Veterans will hold services in the funeral home Monday at 7:00pm. 

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