Robert D. Skerbetz
Veteran, retired coal miner was UMWA, Eagles member
Robert D. Skerbetz, 72, of Bentleyville, died at 6:35 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2010, in his home, following a lengthy illness.
He was born April 27, 1937, in Bentleyville, a son of the late Joseph and Myrtle Carter Skerbetz.
Mr. Skerbetz was a 1955 graduate of Bentleyville High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served as an airman 2nd class.
He had been employed as a coal miner for Bethlehem Mines Corp. and later Bethenergy Inc. for more than 25 years at Mine 60 in Eighty Four, where he held various positions, before retiring in 1995.
Mr. Skerbetz was a member of United Mine Workers of America, Bentleyville Eagles, Lithuanian Club and Polish Club, both of Bentleyville, and Bentleyville American Legion Post 165.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with his family.
Surviving are a son, J. Robert Skerbetz and wife Sally of Hamburg, NY.; two granddaughters, Ellysa and Leia Skerbetz, both of Hamburg; a brother, Francis Skerbetz of Las Vegas, Nev.; and two sisters, Lois Yerace of Wellington, Ohio, and Kathleen Fillingham of Akron, Ohio.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are his wife, Joan Jenny Elliot Skerbetz, who died February 15, 1998; and a son, Robert D. Skerbetz Jr., who died in infancy.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday April 2, with the Rev. Sang Choi officiating. Interment will be in Beallsville Cemetery.
Contributions may be directed to Family Hospice and Palliative Care, 50 Moffett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15243. An online guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at