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Mr. John Raschella, 85, a resident of Belington, departed this life Friday afternoon, Jan. 30, 2026, in the United Hospital Center at Bridgeport, West Virginia. Death was following a period of declining health since 2003.
John was definitely a fighter and persevered through many health scares for a better part of 23 years.
He was born Sept. 15, 1940, at Idamay in Marion County, West Virginia, a son of the late John Joseph and Rosa Vito Raschella.
On June 14, 1975, at Long Island, New York, he was united in marriage to the former Pamela Lynn Earle, who survives at their home in Belington.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children, Johnny Santo Raschella and wife, Dorie, of Elkins, Laura Lorraine Raschella of Belington, Sherry Annette Raschella, Jeanette Marlene Raschella, both of Tuscon Arizona, Nicholas Umberto Raschella and wife, Theresa, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, and Joshua Earle Raschella and wife, Shawntra, of Belington.
Additional survivors include grandchildren, Michael, Zachary, Annmarie, Gage, Jaden, "L", Addison, Kaleigh, Alia and Johnna.
Great-grandchildren surviving are Phoenix and Madison.
Siblings surviving are a sister, Rose Lee of Arcadia, Florida; and a brother, Dominic Raschella of Grafton, West Virginia.
John attended the schools of Marion County, and in his former years he worked at various occupations. He then became employed by R. D. Erdie, who owned ACE Exterminators, which John became owner of in the mid 1970s. John was owner and operator of Ace Exterminators in Belington from which he retired in 2003. John was a two-term mayor Belington, and a long-time member of the Junior Lions Club, which he was a very active contributor to the club and to the community in general.
He was a member of the West Virginia Pest Control Operator's Association where he served a term as president. In his former years, he was a certified scuba diver in search and recovery, and was an avid motorcyclist.
John was a Christian by faith and was known affectionately by his family as "Poppy."
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Friends will be received from the Talbott Funeral Home, 56 N. Brandenburg in Belington, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
At 7 p.m., there will be a celebration of life conducted by his son Nicholas U. Raschella.
Per John's request cremation will follow. The internment of his cremains will be at a later date in the Mount Carmel Cemetery at Fairmont.
The family strongly suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Belington Laurel Mountain Post 410 V.F.W., P.O. Box 604 Belington, WV 26250, in memory of John.
Condolences can be made to the family at www.talbottfuneralhome.com.
The Talbott Funeral Home of Belington is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. John Raschella.