Herbert C. Cherasaro

Herbert C. Cherasaro, 79 of Hazleton, passed away at his home.

Born in Dunmore, he was the son of the late Anthony J. and Eleanor C. (Roberts) Cheresaro. He was one of eight children and grew up in a loving home in Hazleton.

He was a 1961 graduate of Hazleton High School, and was drafted in 1964 to serve in the U.S. Army.

Herby left the area and began a 30-year career in Burbank, Calif., with Lockheed Martin. He worked in the manufacturing division and one of his most memorable times in his career was being involved in the manufacturing of the Lockheed F-17 Nighthawk, which was the first operational aircraft to be designed using stealth technology.

Upon his father's death, Herby retired in 2001 and returned to Hazleton to care for his mother, Eleanor.

He was a member of Holy Rosary Church, Hazleton. Herby was an avid traveler of the United States. His favorite destinations were historical sites, museums and cemeteries. He was fascinated with national treasures and would photograph old monuments and headstones in cemeteries. He always had a story and 5 x 7 pictures to share with family and friends about his latest travels.

He also enjoyed theme parks and was a collector of various toys. His collection consisted of cast iron toys, robots and Transformers.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, August Cherasaro and wife, Diane; and Walter Cherasaro; a sister, Margaret Rendako and husband, Anthony; a brother-in-law, Dennis Seburn; a niece, Lisa Ann Giannott; and nephews, Marc Cherasaro, Thomas Wills and Matthew Smith; and dear friend, Tony Trevino.

Herbert is survived by his loving sisters, Ruthann Smith and husband, Richard, Beaver Meadows; Charlotte DiLiberto, Hazleton; Elizabeth "Betty" Seburn, Gibsonton, Fla.; Jeanne Kistulentz and husband, Albert, Hazleton; a sister-in-law, Barbara Cherasaro, Hazleton; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, Hazleton.

Interment and prayers of committal with military honors will follow in St. Gabriel Cemetery, Hazleton.

The family will receive friends at the church from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday.

Arrangements under the direction of the Joseph B. Conahan Funeral Home Inc., 532 N. Vine St., Hazleton.

For more information or to leave a sympathy message, visit www.conahanfuneralhome.com.