John Stephen “Jack” Halow, 76, of Garards Fort, died Sunday, June 30, 2019, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown.
He was born Sept. 1, 1942, in Johnstown, a son of the late John D. and Helen Weber Halow.
Jack graduated from Penn State and went on to get his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Virginia Tech. He worked as a researcher at Exxon and then for over 25 years at the Department of Energy, at the National Energy Technology Lab in Morgantown.
Jack had many interests and talents. Those included astronomy, pottery, painting, gardening, fishing, rock tumbling, computer programming, blacksmithing, researching local history, winemaking and spending time with his children and grandchildren, to name just a few.
When he retired in his early 60s, Jack and his wife Maria moved to an old farmhouse in Garards Fort. He planted apples, blueberries and grapes. He also spent time restoring the farmhouse, working on the farm and enjoying hobbies old and new.
His love of science and research continued into retirement. In his later years, he collaborated with other scientists, was an adjunct professor of physical chemistry at Waynesburg University and was a consultant and researcher for Separation Design LLC.
He is survived by Maria Sanders Halow, whom he married on June 13, 1964.
Also surviving are four children, Jocelyne (Joe) Patten, of McDonald, Jessica Halow (Andy Brucia), of Seattle, Stephen Halow (Randi Swearingen), of Waynesburg, Alex (Andrea) Halow, of Athens, Ga.; three grandchildren, Madeira Halow, Ethan Patten and Jack Halow; a brother, William Hallow, of Annapolis, Md.
Deceased are five siblings, Sylvester Ritchey, Raymond Ritchey, Ruth Ritchey, Grace Summerville and Elizabeth Pisarski.
Friends will be received at Behm Funeral Home, 182 W. High St., Waynesburg, Pa., from 1-5 p.m. Thursday, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 5, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Albin McGinnis as celebrant. Interment will follow at Garards Fort Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, in Waynesburg, the Humane Society of Greene County or to your local humane society.
Condolences: behmfh.com
