John Chester "Jack" Barchanowicz, 80 of St. Clairsville, Ohio died Friday, January 8, 2010 at Wheeling Hospital.

He was born December 27, 1929 in Tower Hill, PA., a son of the late John Barchanowicz and Sophia Olenick Barchanowicz -Fuddla.

Jack was a retired employee of Wheeling?Pittsburgh Steel?s Beech Bottom Plant, a U.S. Army and Army Reserve veteran, lifetime and proud member of the NRA.

In addition to his parents of Carmichael, PA., he was preceded in death by a sister, Sally Brunner of Charleston, WV; an infant brother, Robert James.

Surviving are three sons, Robert J. (Jenny Murphy) Barchanowicz of Erie, PA., Daniel Barchanowicz-U.S. Army serving in Afghanistan, and David (Bonnie Bizanovich) Callipare of St. Clairsville; sisters, Gertrude "Trudy" Conroy of Waynesboro, VA., Irene "Rene" Urban of North Almstead, OH., Patricia Papes of Vermillion, OH., Dorothy "Dee" Roberts of Phurmont, MD.; nieces, nephews, and extended family. Special thanks to Jack?s best friend and partner in crime, Rube Perkins.

Young at heart, Jack was an outdoorsman and horseman. He loved everything about Texas, he dreamed of the open ranges, and the Old West. He spent most of his days caring for his horses and his dogs. His noble friend and loyal companion, "Wolfie" died on the same day, we guess from a broken heart. Jack enjoyed learning and practicing languages, poetry and history, with a particular interest in the Civil War era. He took pleasure in the simple, but good things in life, a warm fire, a glass of sangria, a good book, writing in his journal. He would occasionally share some of his thoughts and prose with the local newspaper.

Friends will be received at Toothman Funeral Home in St. Clairsville on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. where services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Burial follows in Union Cemetery, St. Clairsville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Belmont County Animal Rescue League, P.O. Box 115, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950.