John Stephen Hettish

1955 - 2024

John Stephen Hettish, formerly of Punxsutawney, passed away on Jan. 9, 2024, in Round Rock, Texas.
He was born on May 22, 1955, in Punxsutawney to Elsie (Gomola) Hettish and John Mark Hettish.
John attended school through high school in Punxsutawney, where he made lifelong friends. Growing up, John played multiple sports, with his favorites being basketball and baseball. He developed a passion for the Pittsburgh sports teams and Penn State football. An avid Steeler fan, John was a diehard follower of Steeler Nation. He passed this passion on to his children, Sarah and Brian.
John attended college at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and received a degree in finance. John made the Dukes basketball team as a "walk-on" and continued playing the sport he loved. Also at Duquesne, John was a member of the ZBT fraternity and made many good friends.
After graduating from college, John made the decision to move to Houston, Texas, where oil was booming and jobs were abundant. He met other "Yankee transplants" from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin while working. This group of transplants known as "the Winrock" became his Texas family, with the friendships lasting throughout his life, and where he met his former wife, Bridget (Elam) Hettish.
While in Houston, John worked in accounts receivable at GTE Mobilnet, when cellular phone communication was just beginning. John was one of the first to examine and work with the software for this new technology. He continued his career in cellular and software applications at various companies including GTE, EDS, BCG and KPMG.
John loved Texas and his family, making the McKinney/Dallas area their home for years. It gave him great joy teaching his children Steeler football, golf and various sports. He enjoyed coaching Brian's football and basketball teams, as well as supporting Sarah with her cheerleading, volleyball and gymnastics events through the years. He also taught them to be Dallas Mavericks fans, and they enjoyed many games together.
He is survived by his two children, Sarah Hettish Parker (Bryan), Round Rock, Texas, and Brian Joseph Hettish, Richardson, Texas; two grandsons, Jackson Hayden Parker and Bennett Michael Parker; and his former wife Bridget (Elam) Hettish, Houston, Texas. John is also survived by his three sisters, Mary Hettish McHenry (Robert) of Coolspring, Karen Hettish Mennetti (Michael), Anita, and Yvonne Hettish, Sterling, Virginia; his aunts, Julie Baranich of Punxsutawney and Sr. Rita Marie of Erie; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
John was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Elsie and John. Interment will be next to them at the Ss. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church Cemetery, Punxsutawney. A funeral Mass will be held at Saints Cosmas and Damian Church, Punxsutawney, at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at https://www.cremation.green/obit/john-s-hettish/.