John E. Behen, Jr.

John E. Behen, Jr., 88, passed away on March 16, 2016, in the Reading Hospital. He was a resident of The Highlands at Wyomissing and former long-time resident of Waverly St., in Shillington.

He was born in Dover, DE, the son of John E. Behen and Camile A. Behen. He lettered in three sports at Dover High School, was co-captain of two undefeated football teams, was president of the student council his senior year and graduated valedictorian of the class of '45. Behen was an auxiliary fireman with Robins Hose CO. #1 for three years during WWII.

He was a '49 graduate of Villanova College with a BSME degree, was manager of the varsity football team in '45 and then played #150 football for three years.

His wife of 51 years, the former Jean M. Kelly of Rosemont, PA, passed away in 2003. John is survived by his daughter, Nina M. Heppe, Villanova, PA; son, Owen J., Cherry Hill, NJ; three granddaughters: Ashley Heppe, Meredyth Waters and Rebecca Chiarieri; and two great-grandchildren, Owen and Dylan Chiarieri. He was predeceased by his son, John E. Behen III.

Behen was employed by the former Worthington Corp. in Washington, DE branch office, Philadelphia district office, the Steam Turbine Plant in Wellsville, NY and served Philadelphia, Washington and Atlanta territories as a steam turbine specialist. In 1962 he joined the former Gilbert Associates in Reading. He served as a project mechanical engineer and project manager. He was a life member of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers and registered Professional Engineer in both PA and DE.

He was a member of St. John Baptist de La Salle Roman Catholic Church, where he served as a charter lector, and usher and served on two building committees. John was a long-time retreatant with the Saints Peter and Paul group, Men of Malvern and had been a co-captain.

He was a life member of the Keystone Fire Company #1 and was an active firemen and later Sargent of fire police.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in St. John Baptist de La Salle R.C. Church, 420 Holland St, Shillington, PA 19607 with a visitation 9 to 10 a.m. in the church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover, DE. In lieu of flowers, the family request that remembrances be made to La Salle Academy, 440 Holland St, Reading, PA 19607. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.