Steve E. Beretsel, 74, of DuBois died Monday at the Altoona Regional Medical Center as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Mr. Beretsel was born March 1, 1938 in Windber and the son of Steve G. Beretsel (Berczel) and Mary (Rakoczy) Beretsel.
He was employed as chief financial officer of DuBrook Inc. for many years and was also a self-employed financial planner. He held certified public accountant certificates in both Pennsylvania and Virginia. He graduated from Windber High School in the class of 1956 and also from Robert Morris College.
He formerly served in the DuBois Chamber Board of Directors as well as the treasurer of DuBois Senior Citizens Association, the Sandy Township Sewer Authority and Zoning Commission. He was honorably discharged from the Federally Recognized National Guard in 1962. He was a member of the Train Collectors Association.
He took pride in his family and enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s sports and school events. He took pride in his well-kept lawn and enjoyed collecting model trains, railroad and coal mining memorabilia. He was proud of his coal mining heritage. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
He was a gentleman, had high ethical standards of good character and was a family man. He is much loved by his family and extended family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Bertha Baker of Seanor and his brother-in-law, Park Baker of Grand Ledge, MI.
He married Pearl (Baker) Beretsel on June 1, 1963. She survives.
He is also survived by two daughters, Christine Beretsel of Bethlehem and Nicole Gray of DuBois; three sons, Stephen Beretsel and his fiancée, Misty Connor of DuBois, Michael Beretsel of Penfield and Patrick Beretsel (Vivian) of Alexandria, VA; three grandchildren, Marissa Gray, Shayla Gray and Patrick Beretsel; a sister, Mary Lou Prokopchak (Michael) of Harwood, MD; a brother-in-law, Robert Baker (Naomi) of Johnstown; a sister-in-law, Janet Baker of Grand Ledge, MI; many nieces and nephews and his extended family, Kristin, Brandon, Jesse, Brian and Lisa.
By his request, there will be no public viewing. A memorial mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Friday at the St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church with Msgr. Richard Siefer as celebrant. The family will receive friends immediately after mass in St. Catherine’s McGivney Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church and or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.gbfuneralhome.com.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Goble-Baronick Funeral Home.
