Philip Iatesta, Iii

A native of Pennsylvania and a long-term resident of Ragley, Philip passed from this life on Tuesday, May 13 at the age of 74. He was a 1st class licensed steam engineer for many years until beginning work maintaining the Federal Court House in Lake Charles for 20 years until his retirement last year. He loved staying busy with a variety of home maintenance and projects such as gardening, birdhouse building, and tinkering with tools. Philip enjoyed sports and supporting the South Beauregard Golden Knights in all of their sporting programs and attended Magnolia Baptist Church in Ragley for many years. He was a contributing alumni of the Williamson Free Trade School in Media, PA, was a loving husband to his late wife, and was extremely proud of his grandchildren. Philip is preceded in death by his wife, Iveleah Gray Iatesta; parents, Philip Iatesta, Jr. & Isabella Iatesta; daughter, Verena Iatesta; and brother, George Iatesta. He is survived by his children, Embella Pederson (husband Robert) of Fredricksburg, VA, Elizabeth Witherspoon of Moss Bluff, W.F. O'Kelley of Westlake, and Henry O'Kelley (wife Sue); and 14 grandchildren. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home (4321 Lake St.) in Lake Charles from on Thursday, May 15, 2014 from5:00 PM until a Memorial Service at 7:00 PM.