John N. Flara, 88, born in Midland, Pennsylvania on June 2, 1929, passed away at Trinity Medical Center West in Steubenville at 2:17 p.m. Thursday, January 25, 2018. “Johnny” as he was known by many, had been in poor health in recent years, and died surrounded by his large and loving family.

A son of the late Raphael and Anna Digirolomo Flara, Johnny had spent his lifetime in the tri-state area and a graduate of Lincoln High School. At the age of 12, he began working as a spiker for the railroad until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy when he was 17. He served in Panama until returning to this area, where he continued working at Crucible Steel in Midland, primarily as a foreman, and later in quality control. He retired after nearly 37 years.

Throughout his life, he loved music and could play many instruments – especially anything with a string – but he was partial to the mandolin. He was well-known for the music he shared at various venues such as country jams, churches and nursing homes. Although he most often performed with The Trio, he was happiest when his best girl, Twila, was at his side, singing and playing the guitar.

Raised in the Catholic Church, Johnny was baptized a couple years ago by his close friend and “honorary adopted son”, Pastor Tom Adkins of Campground Community Church, and he became an active member there, singing in the choir when he could. He was a collector of many things, such as coins, stamps and stones, but he was most interested in scratch-off lottery tickets that had been losers, and he belonged to the Global Lottery Collectors Society.

On June 9, 1974, he married his wife, Twila, and they combined families and enjoyed many happy years together. One was rarely seen without the other, and she considered it an honor to care for him throughout his illness.

In addition to Twila, Johnny leaves behind his children: John “Kutch” Flara and his wife, Jane, of Aliquippa, PA; Ralph Flara of New Brighton, PA; Debbie Flara and her husband, Patrick, of Berea, Kentucky; Fred Flara and his wife, Sherry, of California; Pam Michalak and her husband, Brett, of East Palestine; Joey Flara of Tennessee; Michael Flara and his wife, Sherry, of Kentucky; Robin Smith and her husband, Eugene, of Wellsville; Samuel Birch and his wife, Marian, of Columbiana; David and Charlene Birch Flara of Chester, Maryland; Kenny Birch and his wife, Mary, of Marshall, Virginia, and Shawn Flara and his wife, Stephanie, of Bowie, Maryland.

There are eighteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews and friends, as well as two sisters-in-law, Hazel Flara and Kathy Flara, and an extended family on Twila’s side.

Johnny was preceded in death by a son, Edwin Birch II, along with a sister, Vera Lerussi and her husband, Oliver; and three brothers, Tony A. Flara, Emil Flara and his wife, Rose, and Gino Flara.

Friends may visit at the Dawson Funeral Home on Sunday, where the family will be present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

Pastor Tom Adkins of the church will officiate at a service to be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Johnny will be laid to rest at Crest Haven Memorial Gardens, where the Tri-State Veterans Burial Group will provide full military honors. Following the service, friends and family will gather at Campground Community Church for a continued time of fellowship.

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