John Joseph Viola

John Joseph Viola, 75, of Hampton, S.C., and more recently of Dalton, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, May 25, while in the care of Geisinger Mountain View Care Center in Scranton.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late John Joseph and Dorothy Griffin Viola. Growing up in Manayunk, he attended Roxborough High School, and then went on to receive a degree in Theology from Northeast Bible College, Green Lane, Pa. Upon graduation, he moved his family to Nicholson, Pa., to assume the pastorate of a mission church. He later made his home in Denver, Colo., where he established a successful custom home building and design company. When his parents retired to S. Carolina, he and his wife, the former Mary LaDue, now deceased, joined them, where they lived for the last 25 years. While there, they were instrumental in the establishment of the Community Care Unit, providing food for needy families throughout Hampton County. In January 2013, John returned to Pennsylvania to spend the remainder of his days with his family here.

He is survived by three daughters, Deborah Lanton and her husband, Thomas, Dalton, Pa.; Kathyrn Weisenfluh, Scranton, Pa.; and Jayne Zeranski and her husband, Frank, Dover, Del.; four stepchildren, Natalie Artibee and her husband, Mark; Debbie Braun and her husband, Terry; Chris Blythe, all in the Denver area; and Scott Trombley and his wife, Cindy, Hampton, S.C.; a brother, Vincent and his wife, Sue, Hampton, S.C.; fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Gathering Bible Church, Fleetville, Pa., where he was a member, on Sunday, June 2, 2013 at 1:30 p.m., Pastor Jamie Overholser and Pastor Chris Williams presiding. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family in Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly. Services will also be held at the convenience of the family in Hampton, S.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Gathering Bible Church, P.O. Box 501, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. Arrangements by the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Svc., 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit PA 18411. To sign an online guestbook, go to www.lawrenceey oungfuneralhome.com.