FRANKLINTON – John Louis Soltes, 73, died Saturday Nov. 10, 2012 at home. He was a son of the late Andy and Irene Soltes. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jane Peck and brothers, Steve Soltes and Andy Soltes.

John was a member of the National Guard and later worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. He moved to North Carolina and worked for the News & Observer as a mechanic until his retirement.

Surviving: wife, Charlotte M. Soltes; daughters, Janet Spisock of Cary; Kristine Loffredo of Louisburg; Jessie Lynch of Chapel Hill; sons, John D. Soltes of Wake Forest; Glenn Mitchell (Kim) of Knightdale; Walter Soltes of Franklinton; sisters, Bonnie Klinger (Bill) of Central City, PA; Mary Lewis  (Roy) of Grantsville, MD; Elizabeth Fleegle (Paul) of Windber, PA; brother, Paul Soltes (Linda) of Windber, PA; 14 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Amedisys Hospice of Franklinton, 3220 US 1 Hwy., Franklinton, NC 27525.

Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg, www.stricklandfuneralhome.net.