David J. Berti of 635 Flower Ave., Grove City, passed away at 12:05 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in Orchard Manor, Pine Township, after an extended illness. He was 95.

He was a loving and caring husband and father who was devoted to his wife, Jennette, for more than 67 years, and who provided and coached his three sons and daughter and their children for more than five decades.

Mr. Berti was born Oct. 18, 1914, in Ralphton, Pa., to Thomas and Edvidge Baroni Berti.

He graduated from Somerset (Pa.) High School and Indiana Teacher’s College, now Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and attained his master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

David learned to play the accordion as a youth. He wrote music and played with a band for most of his life.

Mr. Berti married the former Jennette Davis on Sept. 25, 1942, with whom he made his home in Barnesboro, Pa., until 1995.

During World War II, David served as a captain in the Army. He was stationed in Japan and witnessed the signing of the peace treaty.

Mr. Berti was a teacher, principal, and reading supervisor for 39 years.

He was lifetime member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Lions Club, the Parent Teacher Association and the Retired Public School Employees Association.

For many years, he served as chairman of American Red Cross blood drives in Barnesboro.

After his retirement, Mr. Berti continued to volunteer and learned to enjoy traveling, golfing and gardening.

He was a member of Church of Epiphany Episcopal, Pine Township.

Mr. Berti is survived by his wife, at home; and four children, eight grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. They are David J. Berti and his wife Linda, Moraga, Calif., their sons, Aaron and Nathan Hagan, and daughter, Megan Berti, and granddaughter, Moira Hagan; Edward T. Berti and his wife Susan, Mercer, and their sons, Adam and Sean Berti; William R. Berti and his wife Rhonda, Wilmington, Del., and their sons, Liam and Aeddon Berti, and daughter, Rowan Berti; and Linda J. Berti and her companion, Tim Smock, Louisville, Colo.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Berti was preceded in death by his sister, Enis Zanoni of Redwood City, Calif.; and his brother, Rudy Berti of Rockwood, Pa.

Memorial contributions can be made to American Red Cross, 517 W. Main St., Sharpsville, PA 16150.