Michael J. DeFrancesco, 96, of South Fayette, PA, passed peacefully on February 7, 2024 at home surrounded by his family.

He was born January 31, 1928, in Pittson, PA a son of the late Giuseppi and Maria (Mulé) DeFrancesco. Mike graduated from Charleroi High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in the occupation forces in Japan after World War II as a rifleman. He received Glider and Parachutist’s Badges and was awarded with the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal-Japan. In February of 1948 he was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. Mike was a proud employee of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel for 42 years until his retirement.

Shortly after his return to the states, he met and married the love of his life, Martha Bednar on September 1, 1951. They built a home in Fayette City and started a family that has grown to three generations with their daughters, Michelle Aloe (Andrew), Milissa Bush (Gerald), Mariangela Lorence (Kevin), grandchildren Amy Aloe (Garrett Gorenski) and Drew Aloe, Jordan Bush (Meagan Morrell) and Jillian Bush Scruggs, Emily Lorence Ragan (John) and Annabel Lorence and great grandchildren Ayla, Avry and Arlo Gorenski; Shane Shulte; Juliette, Vivienne, Theodore and Avrielle Bush; and Cassandra Ragan. He is survived by his sister, Rose Shannon of Smithfield.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Leonard, Angelo, Samuel and Joseph DeFrancesco. Also preceded in death by his loving in-laws Andrew and Helen Bednar, Dorothy and John Valosen, Andrew R. and Sylvia Bednar, and Lawrence Bednar.

Family and friends received on Friday from 2-6 PM at the Warchol Funeral Home Inc., 3060 Washington Pike, Bridgeville (412.221.3333). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM at Holy Child Church of Corpus Christi Parish. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to Holy Child of Corpus Christi Parish.