John H. Jennette Jr.

John H. Jennette Jr., age 69, of Weirton, WV, can breathe easier now. He met His Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 13, 2025. A man of God, a warrior, he fought a valiant battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), for 26 years. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2023 and subsequently pulmonary arterial hypertension and advanced kidney disease. 

Born in Canonsburg, PA, on September 14, 1956, John was raised in McDonald, PA, by his parents, John and Georgia Jennette, who preceded him in death.

John's passion for welding took him on a 20-year career with Nicholson Construction Company in Bridgeville where he rose to become foreman. He spent several years teaching students in CCAC's welding program and received recognition from the American Welding Society. John further used his welding skills to volunteer for the Montour Trail Council, helping to assemble the gazebo at the entrance to the Mall at Robinson and several foot bridges along the trail. For his volunteer service, the trail council honored him with one of their annual volunteer awards.  When his illness was diagnosed and he could no longer weld, John stepped into the role of assistant to his wife, founder/publisher of Allegheny West Magazine.

John was known as someone who could fix anything except, as he would chuckle, a broken heart. His sense of humor carried him through every challenge he faced, and he forged forward, embracing life with enthusiasm and purpose, undeterred as his health challenged him and fueled his motivation for being alive. He lived the motto, "embrace each day."

John lived a life of faith and purpose. He served on the board at Valley Church in Imperial for many years, played guitar in the church praise band, and volunteered where needed. He later attended The Garden Church in Chatsworth, California, where he and his wife, Pat, made their winter home for a number of years. His favorite faith experience was with his cherished fellow Bible study friends, meeting weekly in the McDonald home of Chuck and Becky Hughey.

John’s serving heart transcended into the community of North Fayette where he called home for 38 years. His leadership inspired a community project to build a home for a special needs family in his neighborhood. This "Miracle on Walnut Street" brought 400+ community people together to raise the home under Hosanna Industries for the family in 2001. He did this as he was facing his new diagnosis with IPF. He served as a leader for the YMCA Indian Guides program, coordinated an Adopt-a-Highway initiative in Imperial, and threw his energy into other community projects.

John's zest for life was boundless. With his wife, Pat, they spent 12 years RVing all around America, six of them living in their RV full time. They explored National Parks endlessly and shared their experiences on their travel blog, making presentations at RV parks and local libraries. He enjoyed rides on many roads around the country on his motorcycle, often with his oxygen tank strapped on his back. At home, strumming on his bass guitar or making wine filled his time. 

John resolved to overcome each challenge. A quiet hero, he took each roadblock as a challenge, never feeling deterred or unshaken. He spoke on hope at the opening of the Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases. He volunteered for countless studies and forums on his illnesses, including two years at NIH in Bethesda, Maryland. He met others with lung disease and offered them encouragement. Never wanting attention, his desire was to help others who struggled like he did. He was one of a handful of people nationwide to have survived with IPF for 25+ years.

John loved life immensely and put every ounce of himself into whatever or whoever was top of mind at that stage of his life. He was loyal to all. He loved his family deeply and made them his priority. John loved spending time with "Da Boyz," his two grandsons Dylan and Cameron, and he cherished many moments and memories with daughters, Andrea and Joyce. To know him was to be blessed with his humor, his light, and his humbleness.  John's final act was itself a selfless expression of love as an organ donor, giving whatever he could to help someone else.

John will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 42 years, Pat Jennette, his daughters Joyce Jennette (Mark Fletcher) of Weirton, West Virginia and Andrea von Halle (Tony) of Burbank, California, and his two precious grandsons, Dylan and Cameron von Halle, along with his many family members and friends. His sister, Deanna Rossi, who passed away July 8, 2025, was his dearest and best friend.

The family is indebted to John's amazing medical team at UPMC: Dr. Kevin Gibson, Dr. Michael Mathier, Tammy Brinker, and their staffs, and Dr. Michael Speca and his staff for their consistent support and care over the years. As well, many thanks to the incredible team at UPMC's ICU during his last days. 

Family and friends will be welcomed on Friday, December 19, 2025, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Saturday, December 20, 2025, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at HERRICK COMPASSIONATE FUNERAL SERVICE, PC, Edward M. Herrick, Supervisor/Owner, 951 Cliff Mine Road, North Fayette Township, Imperial, PA, (724) 695-7332.  A Funeral Service will take place at the funeral home on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. followed by burial at Robinson’s Run Cemetery, McDonald, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations in John's honor be made to the Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases at UPMC, c/o Dr. Kevin Gibson, Medical Director, NW 628 UPMC Montefiore, 3459 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John H. Jennette Jr., please visit our floral store.