John D. Cemate
John D. Cemate, 65, of Forestville, Mercer Township, Butler County, passed away of natural causes at 10:29 a.m. Aug. 1 at his home.
He lived in Forestville most of his life, but he also lived in Sharpsville, Mercer County, during the 1980s.
Born June 14, 1950, in New Castle, John was the son of Dominick and Flora DeGregory Cemate, both deceased.
A 1968 graduate of Slippery Rock High School, he earned an associate in arts degree in 1971 from Butler County Community College. In 1973, he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, and he finished with a master of education degree in guidance and counseling in 1979, both from the former Slippery Rock State College.
He worked for Transitional Living in Butler and Care Unlimited in Pittsburgh, where he provided direct care to clients. He also was employed in a county position for the Mercer County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program as a case manager for group homes with responsibility for monitoring and maintaining client life and health care for more than 50 clients.
John was raised Catholic and had previously attended the St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church of Forestville. He has a broad knowledge of various religions and philosophies and would engage both friends and relatives on those topics.
He had other interests ranging from science, astronomy and politics to literature, the golden age of comic books, shooting billiards and listening to many music genres, with Frank Sinatra as his favorite.
John never claimed to be an expert in any field, yet his knowledge and recollection could be impressive. You could not ask for a better son, brother, nephew, cousin or friend. He maintained strong friendships over his lifetime.
Surviving are his sister, Ruth A. Klingensmith and her husband, Robert J., of Harrisville, who will greatly miss John.
Also surviving are his aunts and uncles: Jennie (Philip) Buccini, Blanche Bonanni and Mary Jane DeGregory, all of Grove City, Vera DeGregory of Pearl River, N.Y., Sam Cemate and Rose Middendorf, both of Lincoln Park, Mich., Robert (Joan) Cemate of Westwood, Mass., and Edna Cemate of Butler. Numerous cousins also survive.
CEMATE — The family of John D. Cemate, who died Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, will welcome friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.For relatives and friends, a funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Kevin Poecking officiating.Burial will take place at the St. Anthony Cemetery of the St. Peter Parish, Harrisville.
