John H. Wert, 73, of Bern Twp., passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, while vacationing. He was the husband of Joan G. (Hoch) Wert. They were married on May 4, 1974 and would have celebrated forty-one years of marriage.
Born in Reading, he was the son of the late C. Benton and Helen E. (Emerich) Wert. John was a 1960 graduate of Hamburg High School; and a 1964 graduate of Ursinus College, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. John first worked in the collections department of the Internal Revenue Service. He then worked for fifteen years as the Business Manager and Transportation Coordinator for the Hamburg Area School District. John last worked as the judicial coordinator for Judge Albert Stallone of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas. After his retirement, he drove van for the Wyomissing Area School District for special needs students.
John was a very active member of St. Michael's Church, Tilden Twp. He loved the church. He sang on the senior choir for fifty years; served on church council; was co-chairperson of the church picnics, secretary of the Aid Society, Sunday school teacher, piano player and a member of the finance committee. John coordinated flea markets at church dinners and was active when St. Michael's Church participated at the Kutztown Folk Festival. He was a member of the board and treasurer of St. Michael's Cemetery, as well as a member of the board of directors and treasurer for the Berks County Cemetery Association. John was a member of the Berks County Fersommling Raad; and a former member of the Hamburg Jaycees.
Anyone who knew John, knew that he loved to go to flea markets and auctions. He loved to play pinochle with friends and would play every day if he could. John played in the Centerport Band and enjoyed going to hear the Ringgold Band. He enjoyed traveling all over the world with friends. He loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren.
Surviving in addition to his wife is one son: Philip C. Wert, husband of Sharon (Sweigart) Wert, West Reading; one daughter: Deborah N. (Wert), wife of Todd Hamm, Bern Twp.; one step-daughter: Michelle G. (Smith) James, wife of Matthew James, Centre Twp.; and four grandchildren: Kyle, Natalie, Trenton and Naomi. John is also survived by one sister: Rose Ann (Wert) Ruggiero, companion of Neil Rahn; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Lee and Rebecca Hoch; one nephew: Joseph M. Ruggiero; and one niece: Jessica (Hoch) Allen. He was predeceased by a step-son: Mark R. Smith, husband of Patricia; a brother-in-law: Joseph Ruggiero; and a niece: Rebecca (Ruggiero) Poore.
Services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am from St. Michael's Church, 529 St. Michael's Road, Hamburg, PA 19526. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery, Tilden Twp. A viewing will be held at the church Tuesday 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Wednesday 10:00 to 11:00 am. Contributions may be sent to St. Michael's Church Memorial Fund, at the address above. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Leesport is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of John H. Wert, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.