James Phillip Jasper, 70, of Blairsville, PA passed away on Friday, February 1, 2013 at the Indiana Regional Medical Center, Indiana, PA.Jim was born September 3, 1942 in Latrobe, PA to Robert Jasper and Eleanor (Graff) Jasper.Jim graduated from Blairsville High School in 1961 and from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a degree in education. He spent his career as a special education teacher for Indiana County Public Schools for 27 years until his retirement in 2000.He was a lifetime member of SS Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church in Blairsville where he actively participated in The Angels of Compassion, as well as the parish's charity and transportation committees. In addition to the invaluable time spent with his family, Jim enjoyed traveling, trips to the beach and found beauty in the desert and culture of the American West. He was an ardent lifetime fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates and spread his love of baseball, not just to family and friends, but also to numerous youth baseball players as a coach in Blairsville's Junior Legion league.Jim enjoyed attending Pirates spring training each March and the time spent with friends at daily mass and What's Brewing Coffee Shop in his retirement.He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 48 years, Barbara S. (Geletka) Jasper whom he married November 7, 1964, his children, Gregory and wife, Camille of Montgomery Village, MD; Christine Botti and husband, James of Sarasota FL and Eric and wife, Wendy of Blairsville; seven grandchildren, Jeb Inge of Virginia; Jacob Inge of Beaver; Tyler and Kylie Jasper of Blairsville and Mary, Kathleen and James Jasper of Montgomery Village, MD; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, John Miller; a sister, Shirley Baker and an infant brother, Robert. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. Monday at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA where a Wake service will be held at 8:30 P.M. Monday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at SS Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church, Blairsville, with Fr. Chester J. Raimer as celebrant.Interment will be in SS Simon & Jude Cemetery, Blairsville, PA.In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in James' memory to the Saint Vincent DePaul Society or to the Wounded Warrior Project.
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