Obituary of John M. Pope

John M. Pope,

Age 94, of Edgewood passed away peacefully at home on July 13, 2022. He was born on June 9, 1928 in Enfield, North Carolina, the son of Richard Hampton and Julia Gatling Pope.

John graduated from Edwards Military Institute and then enlisted in the United States Navy. After serving his country, John enrolled at West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown, West Virginia. While at WVU, John met and stole the heart of the late Mary Phyllis Ellis. They married on December 28, 1949 and celebrated 63 years together before her death.

After graduation, John took a position with Jones & Laughlin Steel in Pittsburgh where he worked until he retired in 1982. Not one to sit idle, John spent the next 10 years working for PNC Bank. John's sunny disposition and early morning conversations are fondly remembered by his fellow bus travelers!

John is survived by his five children Bill Pope (Toni McNaughton) of Chicago, Carol Hallberg (the late Kurt) of Edgewood, Kathryne Pope of Swissvale, Jane Singleton (Scot) of Silver Spring, MD and Lynn Borders (Adam) of Tucson, AZ. While John loved his children, he took such pride in his 5 grandchildren – Katherine Hallberg, Timothy Lynch, Sara Pope (Phil Whitaker), Brenden Borders and Kaesey Borders.

John was a 32nd Degree Mason, and a member for 69 years. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing cards, gardening, and sharing the tomatoes and greens beans from the garden with neighbors and friends. John instilled his strong work ethic and respectfulness in his family. Anyone he met was addressed was ma'am or sir, and his children still carry that forward today!

Viewing will be held for John, at Thomas L. Nied Funeral Home, 7441 Washington Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15128 on Saturday, July 30th from Noon to 2 p.m. and from 4-6 p.m. The funeral service will follow the second viewing at 6 p.m. www.niedfuneralhome.com