John Earl Wolfe, 69, Altoona, passed away Friday morning at UPMC Altoona, after a brave and valiant battle against stage IV pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Altoona, son of the late Munson R. Sr. and Alice (Miller) Wolfe. On March 31, 1979, he married Patricia A. Lamertina at Holy Rosary Church.

He is survived by his loving wife; three daughters: Christin (Shane) Irwin, Vanessa Wolfe and Melissa Wolfe; six grandchildren: Kierra (Katie), Ashlynn (Talosaga), Alannah, Morgan, John and Elijah; two brothers, Munson (Michele) Wolfe Jr. and Stanley (Denise) Wolfe; two aunts, Ellen (Frank) Lamorte and Roseann Himes; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Through his early years, John worked various jobs installing furnaces, Dunmire printing, roofing and firing the coal furnaces at Penn Alto at night when he was 16. He later worked at Altoona Pipe and Steel from 1978 until retirement in 2022. He also owned Wolfe Cleanouts for 10 years. John was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Lakemont.

He was an avid power lifter, especially accomplished in the bench press. He enjoyed watching Steelers and Pirates games and attending his children's and grandchildren's sporting events.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the nurses at Penn Hospice, UPMC Home Health, MEDI, UPMC-Presbyterian and UPMC-Altoona.

Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. today, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, in the Santella Funeral Home, where a vigil for the deceased will be held. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at St. John's Catholic Church in Lakemont.