Jeannette D. Hertzog

Jeannette D. Hertzog, 83, of Butler, passed away with much love in her heart from our Lord and Savior on August 30th at Concordia in Cabot. Jeannette Dorothy Ballon was born on February 28, 1938 to Dominica Margaret Colossi and John Ballon at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. She was the second of two daughters, the first being her sister, Sophia. John Ballon passed away shortly thereafter, but the two girls and their mother flourished. They walked from the Northside area across the 6th Street Bridge to Market Square once a month as during World War II, they could only afford transportation one way. They shopped for fresh fruit, vegetables and meat and shared fried white fish or clams at the Original Oyster House. They then gathered their packages and boarded a bus for home. Jeannette learned to can tomato sauce, make fried eggplant and even dandelion wine from her mother, aunts and uncles. A few years passed and Anthony Demeo began courting Margaret. They were married and he provided for the entire family through his employment at Mine Safety Appliances in East Liberty and as a barber at Norwin Shopping Center. The family moved to North Huntingdon where Jeannette attended Irwin High School. Jeannette was an Honor student, a vocalist and played bass, cello and the tuba. Jeannette was accepted for initial interview at the esteemed Julliard School of Music, but declined as she married her high school sweetheart, Jack Hertzog after he returned from service in the 82nd Airborne Infantry. Around 1958, they moved to McHenry, Illinois following his transfer as a manager of a food store. They had one son and soon moved back to Western Pennsylvania to a small row apartment in Circleville. Jeannette, learning to save from her mother, walked with her son from the small home through fields and a graveyard to Norwin Shopping Center once a month to gather food supplies at the A&P store and clothes at Cox's Clothing store. Jeannette would then call a cab as there was no bus that traveled back home to carry the two of them and their packages. Jeannette began work as a legal secretary at the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office and her mother became a Tipstaff there as well. Jeannette then worked at the Domestic Relations Office and the Clerk of Courts in Butler County and later took retirement. She moved to Sunbury Fields and then for the last six years at Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot. Jeannette belonged to St. Andrew's Catholic Church. She was a Steeler fan through and through, even talking about the last two preseason games with her family. In her 50's, Jeannette beat breast cancer and continued working right through it. She was available at the drop of a hat to care for her two young grandsons. She had a few special friends and kept well in contact with her sister and many nieces and nephews through the years. Jeannette is survived by her son, John and daughter-in-law, Leigh Ann; her two beloved grandsons, Joseph (Mark Klinger) of Philadelphia and Jerald of Chicago; her nephew, Lee Lennon who visited often, made time for her and kept her in great spirits; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joseph and Margaret "Peg" Hertzog to whom she had a long abiding affection and many other nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Sophia "Tootsie", her parents, her husband, Jack, her stepfather, Anthony Demeo and her grandson, James. Jeannette knew the value of a family meal together, some lasagna, artichokes, bruschetta and anything from Delallo's Italian Store. She reveled in the volume, turmoil and mess that was a large family meal and truly appreciated the love therein. She will be missed. Visitation will be at Young Funeral Home, 127 W. Jefferson St, on Thursday, September 2nd from 2 to 4 PM and from 6 to 8 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Andrew's Catholic Church on Friday, September 3rd at 10 AM. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to her grandson Joseph's church, Redemption Lutheran Church, 8001 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19152

Jeannette D. Hertzog

February 28, 1938 - August 30, 2021