Orlando Merti, 85, of The Villages, passed away Wednesday, November 06, 2013. Mr. Merti was born in Gallatin, PA, December 28, 1927 to Ettore and Mary (Genetazzio) Merti. He had served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army during the Korean War. He had owned a beer distribution business and retired in 1989 from being a construction foreman on the West PA Power Plant. Orlando was a member of the VFW in Uniontown, PA, the American Legion and the Italian Club both in Masontown, PA. He loved gardening, dancing, woodworking, playing baseball, golfing and bocce ball. He had moved to The Villages in 2002. Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Barbara; son, Edmund of Chicago, IL; daughter, Michelle Schwarz of Chicago, IL; brother, Edward of Pittsburgh, PA; sister, Flora Jean Essig of Masontown, PA; 2 grandsons, Garrett and Justin.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday November 13, 2013, at 10 a.m. in St. Therese de Lisieux Roman Catholic Church, 61 Mill St., Uniontown, PA, with Father Jude Peters as Celebrant.

Interment will follow in Sylvan Heights Cemetery, Uniontown, PA.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Family Organization, P.O. Box 1939, New Port Richey, FL 34656-1939 or Holy Hill Monastery, 1525 Carmel Road, Hubertus, Wisconsin 53033.