John F. Lethert

John F. Lethert, age 75 of Fairborn, passed away Sunday January 7, 2018 at Miami Valley Hospital.  He was born May 21, 1942 in St. Paul, MN, the son of the late Carl and Antoinette (Whaley) Lethert.  An engineer, John received degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota and the Ohio State University. John served his country for more than thirty years, starting in the US Air Force and then continuing in Air Force civil service at Wright-Patterson AFB and the US Air Force Reserves. After retiring from the USAF Reserves at the rank of Lt. Colonel in 1992 and from the civil service in 1997, he co-founded Virtual Simulation and Training, Inc. in 2000, where he was employed for the remainder of his career.  John was a longtime member of Mary, Help of Christians Parish and was actively involved with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as well as many other church activities.  He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Rita; a daughter, Carolyn Lethert and husband Jared Espenschied of Woodbridge, VA; and a brother, Jim Lethert and wife Sharon of St. Paul, MN.  The family will receive friends on Friday January 12, 2018 from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday January 13, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at the Mary, Help of Christians Catholic Church, 954 N. Maple Ave., Fairborn, Father Charles Lang Celebrant.  Burial will follow at the Fairfield Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mary, Help of Christians Conference of St. Vincent de Paul by sending a check made out to "MHC - SVDP" to the parish office at 954 N. Maple Ave, Fairborn, OH 45324 -or- to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org, selecting "Tribute Gift."