John Joseph "Chelly" Altobelli,  85, of Niles died at 3:35PM Saturday, January 23, 2016 at St. Joseph's Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

He was born December 14, 1930 in Niles, the son of Nicola and Anna Augustine Altobelli.

He was a 1949 graduate of Niles McKinley High School where he was a member of the state runner-up basketball team. That same year he was a member of The Warren Junior Military Band. In 1957, he graduated from Cleveland Barber College and began his career as a barber and part owner of The Vienna Ave Barber Shop and Jon and Chelly's Barbershop in Niles until 2002. Chelly was also employed by The Republic Steel Corporation from 1968 to 1991.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Niles where he attended daily mass and was a United States Naval Veteran from 1950-1954 having served during The Korean War. While in the Navy, he always said he got to see the world for free.

Chelly, who loved spending time with his family, will be deeply missed by his wife Claudette Riviella Altobelli whom he married July 4, 1959, a son John V. Altobelli and his wife Mary Jo, a daughter Deana M. Moss and her husband Steve, four grandchildren Anthony Altobelli and his wife Lauren, Carmen Altobelli and his fiancée Kimberly Sylvester, Joseph Moss and his wife Megan, Allison Strock and her husband Aaron who are expecting Chelly's first great-grandchild in May, two step-grandchildren, Brian Barton and his wife Jade, Kevin Barton (Brandy Weekley), a step-great-grandchild, Landon Barton, a brother Joseph Altobelli and his wife Phyllis, two sisters Rose DePasquale and Mena Miller, a sister in law Eleanor Riviella, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister Virginia Altobelli, three brothers-in-law, James DePasquale, Bob Miller, Rocky Riviella, and a nephew Robert Miller Jr.

Friends may call Tuesday from 4 to 7PM at The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles where the Mt. Carmel Bereavement Ministry will conduct prayers at 6:30PM.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10AM Wednesday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles preceded by a 9:30AM prayer service at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery where Chelly will be honored for his military service by The Trumbull County American Legion Honor Guard.

The Family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph's Cancer Care Center as well as the staff from ICU and the 3rd and 4th floors of St. Joseph's Hospital for their care and compassion.

Material contributions can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105 or St. Joseph's Cancer Care Center Foundation Healing Garden, 667 Eastland Ave, Warren, Ohio 44484.

Arrangements are being handled by The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

Family and friends can light a candle, sign the guest book, and send e-mail condolences at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com.