T-L Photo/SHELLEY HANSON OHIO REP. Jack Cera, D-Bellaire, talks during a 2019 town hall meeting at the Martins Ferry Public Library.

Jack Cera, a Bellaire native who represented the local area in the Ohio House of Representatives for nearly 25 years, died Sunday at age 69 following a battle with cancer.

Cera served in the House from 1983-96 and again from 2011-20, representing Belmont, Monroe, Noble, Jefferson and a portion of Washington County. He served on a variety of committees, including several that focused on coal and energy. He was Minority Whip for the Democratic Caucus in 2016.

Cera graduated from Bellaire High School in 1974 and from Brown University in 1978 with a degree in political science.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Becky, and their daughters Jaclyn (Brent) Documents and Bethany (Jimmy) Trifonoff, as well as three granddaughters.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the start of a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at South Bellaire Methodist Church, with arrangements being handled by Toothman Funeral Home in St. Clairsville.

Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde lauded Cera’s contributions to the state.

“I’m saddened to hear about the passing of my former colleague and friend, State Representative Jack Cera,” she said. “He was known in the legislature as an experienced leader who cared about and respected the General Assembly deeply, never losing sight of what it meant to represent his community in Columbus. Whether he was working to build our state’s infrastructure, advocating for greater transparency in government, or fighting for good-paying jobs, Jack was a tireless advocate for Southeast Ohio. I’m thinking of his family and everyone who knew him during this time.”