First Posted: 2/24/2013
John J. Stepanski Jr., 67, of Bear Creek, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, Feb. 21, 2013, at Geisinger Medical Center, Plains Township, surrounded by his wife, loving son and family.
He was born Jan. 22, 1946 in Wilkes-Barre, a son of the late John J. and Susanna Petrin Stepanski. A 1964 graduate of Coughlin High School, he was a U.S. Army veteran. During the Vietnam War, he served in Korea guarding the demilitarized zone. Mr. Stepanski was a plumber for many years and later was employed for and retired from the Tobyhanna Army Depot.
An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing with his son and friends. John was very handy and was always willing to assist his family, friends or anyone with repairs. He gave his time freely and enjoyed being with his family and friends at the lake. He was a member of the American Legion and the Hilldale Itlo Club.
The family thanks the staff of Geisinger Hospital and Henry Cancer Center for the care and compassion toward John.
Surviving are his wife, the former Betty Kulawy; son, John Stepanski, Bethlehem; daughters, Yvonne Corcoran, Wilkes-Barre, and Heidi Gowden, Moosic; four grandchildren; sisters, Susan Murphy and her husband, Michael, Bear Creek, Regina Catina and her husband, Frank, Forty Fort, Ann Marie Popovich and her husband, Robert, Wilkes-Barre, Carol Lupton and her husband, Richard, North Carolina, Donna Drutrovsky and her husband, Andy, Dickson City, and Joanne Juskiewicz and her husband, Bernard, Plains Township; brother, Robert Stepanski and his wife, Rita, Hughestown; and nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He also will be missed by his dogs, Baxter, Sophia and Max.
The funeral service with Panachida will be held 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, at E. Blake Collins Funeral Home, 159 George Ave., Wilkes-Barre. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church, 240 Center St., Hanover section of Nanticoke, with the Rev. Vladimir Popyk officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call today, Feb. 24, 2013, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Parastas services will be conducted at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 71 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701; SPCA, 524 E. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702; or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.eblakecollins.com.