earl martinelli
Earl A. Martinelli, 95, of Weirton, WV, died Saturday, July 2, 2011, at his home. Born on May 6, 1916, in Dennison, OH, Earl was a son of the late Antonio and Madelina Patacca Martinelli. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Veronica Czerepak Martinelli on December, 29, 2004; sisters, Vera DiMatteis and Yolanda Sudol. Earl retired as a Union Steward from Weirton Steel, where he worked on the cutting lines in the tin mill for over 40 years. Earl was an avid gardener and a talented award winning wine maker. He also enjoyed making prosciutto, and Italian sausage and listening to his collection of music. Earl was a member of Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus 3734, AARP, Three Score, B.P.O.E. 1801, I.S.D.A. Weirtonian Lodge, and the DUX Club, and a former member of the Tin Mill Credit Union Board of Directors. He is survived by his two sons, Earl (Sueko) Martinelli of Rocklin, CA and Ray Martinelli, of Sedona, AZ; a daughter, Janice (Bob) Sharpe of Weirton, WV; brothers, Ray Martinelli of Martinsburg, WV and Tony Martinelli of San Antonio, TX six grandchildren, Michelle Martinelli, Cheri Bruno, Robyn Sharpe, Chris Martinelli, Stephanie O'Brien, Megan Stead; five great grandchildren, Brandon and Veronica Martinelli, Carly Sekely, Mallorie and Marleigh O'Brien. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 Tuesday at the Greco- Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton, WV. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated 11 AM Wednesday at Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Weirton. The Reverend Father Dean Borgmeyer will officiate. Entombment will follow at the Saint Paul Cemetery Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 229 California Avenue, Weirton, WV 26062.

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  1. Janice and all of your family, May God be with you all in your time of need. May your father rest in peace. He was a great man. Take care. Love Jean

  2. Dear Sharpe Family, Thinking of you at this time of loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Most sincerely, Lisa

  3. Dear Janice, We send our heartfelt sympathy during this sad time. We are keeping you & your family in our thoughts & prayers. Sincerely, Marlene & Michael Runkel

  4. Janice, Your dad deeply touched my life during our high school days . . . he taught me how to eat spaghetti the “right” way and showed me such kindness and understanding at a time when my self-esteem was low. A special man has passed but will never be forgotten. Hope these words extend into a hug of solace for you . . . and your family. Love, Peggy

  5. Oor deepest sympathy to you and your family…your dad knew my mom and I can just see them in heaven reminiscing…that is If she”s not too busy making pierogi for the Pope (Pope John PaulII..Carol Wojtyla)!!..love ya , Joe and Cindi BTW… his prosciutto(sp?) would be a great side dish!

  6. Sorry for your loss Stephanie and the Martinelli Family. Your Grandfather always made me smile. It was a pleasure knowing him for such a short time.God Bless you all

  7. When I talked to, and then met, Earl, what impressed me the most was his great love for family. He understood what was important, and he seemed such a great example of a life well-led. Earl, and all those of that generation, had such resilience, persistence, and courage. My sympathy to all his family; I know he will be missed.

  8. I have such warm & loving memories of Uncle Earl & his many kindnesses to our “adopted” branch of the family…His gardening prowess remains an inspiration along with his quiet strength…

  9. Our love and prayers and sympathy to you all. We have such wonderful memories of Uncle Earl! God bless you all of you. Uncle Ray, Aunt Ann and Cousin Linda

  10. Informed re your loss yesterday;;Your dad is at peace at last–our deepest sympathy-sorry we are unable to be there to share your loss.We are praying for you and your family,Sheila and Frank

  11. My first memories of this incredible man are when he and Mrs. Martinelli generously included me on outings to the movies in Steubenville followed by an Italian sausage sandwich treat. Rare now are the Sunday family homemade pasta meals at exactly the same time each week. Rare now are the flourishing gardens shared with many neighbors and friends. Rare now are the barrels of wine in a cool basement with the upright piano. Always friendly, smiling, calm, loving, self-disciplined (12 almonds daily, not one more), moderate in all things…another precious fragment of my childhood mosaic. Please share some wine with all the Donell neighborhood family welcoming you and keep watering that garden, Mr. Martinelli. My mom says she will miss your parsley! I will miss you and thank you for giving me many gifts…including a most special friend.

  12. My Grandfater is the best man I will ever know. He was kind and generous and always helping other people. He gave us our values and our love of family. He of course taught us that the Italian way really is the right way…. He will be missed but never forgotten and I am glad for him as he is back with Grandma where he belongs. We love you Grandpa rest in peace…

  13. I have many fond memories of Earl and his wife from my years growing up in Pittsburgh. We had many visits, as he and my mom were cousins. To me, Earl was a classy gentlemen with a warm smile. He was part of our extended Martinelli family and he will be missed. Our prayers are with you in this difficult time.

  14. Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved father. There is no doubt that his passing will be a great loss to all who knew him. With deepest sympathy, Janet Backel

  15. Janice and family, I have such fond memories of Earl. He was so great to my mom when my dad was in the nursing home so many years ago. He drove her there once a week to help me out. He was one of the last of the Dux club members.Such fond memories of our youth Janice. May he rest in peace with his love, Verna.

  16. Our deepest thoughts and prayers to the family. Earl was one of our long time dance group friends and holiday celebrations. We always enjoyed the great times we had with the big bands. Always loved to see him at early church and ask him about his garden.What a great gentleman he was. You can now really say ” Our Father who art in heaven” for I am sure he is.

  17. Earl, Ray and Janice you all have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your father. Seems like forever since we have seen one another. Still remember all the good times we had growing up.

  18. We will miss our brother and brotherr-in-law. Sorry we can’t make it to Weirton but I know you understand. We love all of you, so don’t forget us. Uncle Tony and Aunt Jean

  19. To The Martinelli Family: I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Mike and Joanna.

  20. Janice, I’m so very sorry to hear of your fathers passing. You are very blessed to have had him in your life for so long, and know that he is resting in eternal peace.

  21. Dear Cousins, please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. I know Dad was very fond of Earl, as were all of us. He was a true gentleman in every sense. I can safely say Earl and Dad are smiling down upon us enjoying some of Earl’s award winning wine. Sincerely, The Pat Lanciotti family.

  22. Janice, Thinking about you in this time of your loss. Our parents showed us how to share with others and celebrate family. May those memories of your father be a comfort to you. Fondly, Bernice

  23. To all our dear Sharpes, So sorry to hear about the loss of your dad/Papap…what a special man with a full life so full of love and family! We are praying for your comfort and you celebrate the blessing of his presence in your lives. We love you, Brent, Nicole, Gabriella, and Leila Grace

  24. HI from Texas…we all send our love and strength to everyone up there. I can’t think of Uncle Earl without a smile coming to my face. I will always have fond memories of Aunt Verna’s cookies, Uncle Earl in the basement making suasage or in the garden, and skipper running around…bless your family

  25. Cheri….my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family…..I wish I had words of wisdom to share with you but all I can tell you is never lose your faith and hold on tightly to all of the wonderful memories of your grandfather…..I love you! Di

  26. Janice I am so sorry about your Dad. Know that you are in my prayers at this time. For me it was much harder when the last parent left us even though I know they are together and in a better place. Go well with God. Love Bee

  27. Dear Martinelli family, Accept our sympathy on the loss of you father. Fathers are a precious gift to a family and to everone he touched in his life.


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