East Joseph Berti, affectionately known as Jibber, 92, a resident of Swoyersville, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, December 28, 2012, at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, following a brief illness.

His beloved wife was the late Tillie G. (Gallagher) Berti, who passed away on February 07, 2009. Together, Joe and Tillie shared 63 years of marriage.

Born on June 03, 1920 in Swoyersville, Joe was the son of the late John and Eugenia (Piere) Berti. He was the last surviving child in his family of ten children.

A lifelong resident of Swoyersville, Joe received his education at the former Dicksville Grade School, Swoyersville and the former Swoyersville High School. 

A United States Army Veteran, Joe honorably served his country during World War II. During his time of service, Joe participated in the campaigns of Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland. He was decorated with the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with three bronze stars, the American Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Upon his honorable discharge on October 19, 1945, Joe had attained the rank of Tech Sergeant.

Prior to his retirement in 1988, Joe was employed for 11 years by the Tenavision Corporation. A plaster man by trade, Joe was also employed by local contractors, Stanley Susek and Frank Coslett.  

Joe was a faithful Catholic and longtime member of the former Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Swoyersville, where he was a past member of the parish’s Holy Name Society. For many years, Joe was actively involved with the parish’s annual bazaar and was best known for selling the “instant bingo” tickets. 

Following the consolidation of his church in June, Joe became a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville.

A proud veteran, Joe was one of the original members of the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville. Additionally, he a member of the Italian-American Citizens Club, Wilkes-Barre and a charter member of the Swoyersville Kiwanis Club.

One of his favorite things to do was going to exercise at STAR Fitness in Edwardsville, where had the opportunity to make many new friends.

Joe was a loving and devoted husband, a supportive father, a proud grandfather and a gentle great-grandfather. He will be sadly missed but will always be fondly and lovingly remembered by all his family, friends and acquaintances.

In addition to his parents, John and Eugenia Berti and his wife, Tillie, Joe was preceded in death by his brothers, Norti Berti, Sy (Sud) Berti, Kelly (Columbo) Berti, Toib (Estofio) Berti, Albert Berti and Lindy Berti; his sisters, Americia (Mary) Vasta, Columba (Connie) Tomascik and Elizabeth Shendock.

Joe is survived by his four children, Marie E. Kittle and son-in-law Jim, of Dallas, Texas; Deborah Walsh and son-in-law Joe, of West Pittston; Corinne Craig and son-in-law Michael, of Cedar Hill, Texas; Dale Berti, of Plano, Texas; his grandchildren, Joseph Walsh, of West Pittston; Kyle Walsh, of New York City; Kelly Walsh Pacelli and her husband Frank, of Wyoming; and Matthew Berti, of Plano, Texas; his great-grandson, Frank Joseph Pacelli; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Saturday, January 05, 2013, at 9:30 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with Joe’s dear friend, the Reverend Richard J. Cirba, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army.

Family and Friends are invited to call on Friday, January 04, 2013, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send the family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home web-site www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Joe’s memory to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, Pennsylvania 18704.