Obituary

Joseph LaConte, 92 of Lakeland, Florida, died Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 7:56 a.m. in Valencia Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center in Lakeland.

Mr. LaConte was a U.S. Army veteran serving during World War II. He had served in the European Theater for 33 months. He was stationed in Algeria, French Morocco, Normandy, Sicily, Tunisia, Palermo, England, Scotland, and France. He retired in 1979 from the U.S. Postal Service.

He had lived most of his life in California. He and his wife, Anna moved to Indiana for a short while to be near their daughter. After Anna's death, he moved to Florida.

He was born August 21, 1916 in Newark, New Jersey, to Nicholas & Rafaelle "Rae" (Vitiello) LaConte, they preceded him in death. He married Anna Battaglio on June 9, 1942, in Phoenix City, Alabama, she preceded him in death on April 11, 1986. On August 3, 1995 he married Mabel Mello in Lakeland, FL, she survives in Lakeland.

Survivng are a daughter & son-in-law, JoAnn & Floyd Heltzel, of Rome City; a stepdaughter, Mae Mello of Florida; two stepsons, John Mello & Ron Mello both of Lakeland; two grandchildren Joseph & Michelle Heltzel of Indianapolis, and Donna Rasler of Auburn; three great grandchildren, Sirena Conley of Rome City, Tristan Conley of Rome City, and Jacey Rasler of Rome City; three bothers, Nicholas LaConte and Samuel LaConte both of New Jersey, and Gerald LaConte of Virginia; a sister, Helen Grippaldi of New Jersey.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter Tricia Heltzel; a brother, John LaConte; three sisters, Mary D'Amato, Connie Albanese, and Faye Aquilante.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 8, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gaspar Catholic Church, Rome City, with Father Bernard Ramenaden officiating. Burial will be in Orange Cemetery, Rome City.

Calling will be Sunday, June 7, 2009 from 2 -7 p.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Wolcottville Chapel, State Road 9 North, Wolcottville. A Rosary service will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com