John Stachowiak

WILKES-BARRE- John Stachowiak of Wilkes-Barre, PA passed on to heaven on Monday October 21, 2013 at the age of 85, surrounded by family and friends. Born on February 11, 1928, in Nanticoke, he was the son of the late John and Wanda Plytage Stachowiak and graduated from Nanticoke High School in 1946. After graduating, he entered military service with the United States Army, serving with distinction for 21 years. During this time, he served in the Vietnam War and spent eleven years in foreign countries throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central America. He retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class and was the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal (Five Awards), National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Expert Rifleman’s Badge. After coming home from his military service, he worked at Sears, Pomeroy’s, and First Eastern Bank. Once retired, he chose to work with children as a school crossing guard for the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. As an active member of his church, First Assembly of God in Wilkes-Barre, he dedicated his life to his faith and the children by becoming a Royal Ranger’s Leader and a Sunday School Teacher for 26 years. He was also a past Board Member. John loved working with the youth and inspiring them to love God and keep their faith. He always had a story to tell and loved to share his experiences with those he loved. A great man, he would always go out of his way to help anyone in need and truly was a blessing to everyone who had the opportunity to know him. In addition to his parents John was preceded in death by his loving first wife, Theresa. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara, daughter Marie and her husband Phillip Joyce of New Orleans, son John and his wife Michele of New Cumberland PA and his grandchildren Matthew, Sarah, and Rachel. He is also survived by his step children Linda Getter of Wilkes-Barre, Colleen Azimi of Mount Laurel NJ, and Michael and his wife Jean McVeigh of Swoyersville, his grandchildren Heather and Rheanon, and great-grandson Jayden; sisters Natalie Wisniewski, Joan Wilkes, Barbara Hickey, and brother William Stachowiak Viewing will be held at Kniffen O’Malley Funeral Home, 465 S. Main St, Wilkes-Barre PA , on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at First Assembly of God, 424 Stanton St, Wilkes-Barre PA on Friday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jason Gornicz officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Assembly of God, Stanton St, Wilkes-Barre PA for Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge.