John Earl Wirtz, Jr.

John E. "Goldie" Wirtz, Jr., 74, of Washington, passed away due to COVID, on October 2, 2021, with his family by his side. He was born on November 11, 1946, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late John E. Wirtz, Sr. and Mary Blissell Wirtz. John was a graduate of Fort Cherry High School. Mr. Wirtz had been employed at Climax Molybdenum, Co. and worked at DA Auto Auction. He and his wife had LJ's Video, taping stock car races throughout the Tri-State area for twenty years. John had two passions in life, he loved his girls, and he was a racing enthusiast, whether he was working on someone’s race car, or watching the races on television. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Circle Track Club (P.C.T.C.) Hall of Fame. On November 11, 1978, he married Linda Lea Gallagher Lehew, who survives. John helped Linda to raise her daughters, Kimberlea Lehew (the late John) Przystup, and Michele Lehew Moore Currie (Jack). John had three children to his first wife, Kimberly (Robert) Backel, Robert “Billy” Wirtz, and Paul “Lenny” (Doreen) Wirtz. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Ian (Kati) Przystup, Devin (Nicole Stevenson) Przystup, Dakotah “Love Bug” (Aaron Baker) Moore, Michelle Jones, Michael Jones, and John L. Wirtz; great grandchildren, Sloane Przystup, Lakin Baker; siblings, Sally (Gerry) Mullins, David Wirtz, Allen (Ruth) Wirtz, Kathy (George) Dranikoski, Rose Marie Wirtz (Linda Fuller), and Mary Jo (Weldon) Poling; his sister and brother-in-law, Cindy (Jeff) Craig and Phillip (Stacy) Gallagher; and lots and lots of nieces and nephews, but Jodi Craig Shober was his favorite. At the request of the deceased, all services will be private. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. All condolences may be made online at www.NealFuneralHome.com, or sent to the funeral home. Arrangements are entrusted to William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Ave., Washington, PA.