John V. Hughes

John V. Hughes, 79, of Maitland Lane, died Monday, January 3, 2011 at Jameson Memorial Hospital in New Castle. He was born February 22, 1931 in New Castle, a son of the late Rev. Edward and Edna Hughes. He was married to Betty Jane (Klenotic) Hughes for 54 years, she survives in New Castle. Mr. Hughes retired from YDC in 1991 after 27 years of service as an operations supervisor. He was an Army veteran of World War II serving in Japan as a paratrooper. He was chairperson of the Lawrence County Drug and Alcohol Program and attended many courses for dealing with the various aspects of the program. He received a number of citations and awards for his work with the Drugs and Alcohol Programs. Mr. Hughes was a member of the First Alliance Church, the Eagles, American Legion and VFW, and was active in the Cancer Society and Easter Seals and was a member of the Greater New Castle Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife were co-owners of Holly's Corner's for 17 years and he was also co-owner of John Victor's. Mr. Hughes was a pilot and a skydiver and did skydiving shows for many years. He enjoyed fishing, boating, and motorcycles. He also has a black belt in Karate and Judo, and introduced the sport in New Castle, teaching at the YMCA.

He is survived by one daughter, Brenda Scocchera and her husband Fred of New Castle, three sons, John W. Hughes, Steve Hughes and his wife Dian, and William Hughes and his wife Doris, all of New Castle, four brothers, James Hughes of Ashtabula, OH, Larry Hughes of Florence, SC, and Richard and Jerry Hughes, both of Nashville, TN, ten grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, William and Ralph Hughes.

Visitation will be held at the William F. & Roger M. DeCarbo Funeral Home, 926 Cunningham Avenue, on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. and on Thursday, January 6, 2011 from 11 A.M. to 12 P.M.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 12:00 P.M. at the William F. DeCarbo Memorial Chapel. Rev. Brandon Nutter of First Alliance Church and Rev. Dennis Bupp will be officiating. The New Castle Area Honor Guard will perform Military Funeral Rites at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery.