Mr. John L. Vodzak Sr. , 91, a resident of the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre, passed into Eternal Life early Sunday morning in the care of Timber Ridge Health Care Center, Plains Township. Born September 14, 1927 in Wilkes-Barre, he was one of six children to the late Lawrence and Mary (Kalanick) Vodzak. Educated in the city schools, he was a graduate of the James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre.
Following his formal education, Mr. Vodzak proudly served our country with the United States Army during the Korean War. Until his retirement, he was the owner and operator of Vodzak Beauty Supply Company of Wilkes-Barre for many years. Devoted to his Catholic faith, Mr. Vodzak previously attended Mass at the former Saint Dominic Roman Catholic Church, now Saint Benedict Parish in the Parsons section of the city where he was active with the Holy Name Society and assisted at various parish functions.
In his spare time and enjoying the outdoors, he was an avid hunter and fisherman, taking many excursions to Canada. He also loved tending to his many gardens over the years, bus trips he would take to Atlantic City, N.J. but most importantly, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Remembered as being a loving, devoted husband father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he will be greatly missed.
He and his beloved wife, the former Carolyn J. Edwards, celebrated sixty-three years of married life together on July 16, 2018. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Emma Vodzak and by brothers Larry, Joseph and George Vodzak. Left to celebrate his life and cherish his memory in addition to his wife Carolyn at home are the couple’s children, John Vodzak Jr. and his wife Ann of Youngsville, N.C., Barbara Sharry and her husband Michael of Wilkes-Barre, Lisa Vodzak and her companion John Martin of Plymouth, Marie Gitomer and her husband Stuart of Nanticoke, Robert Vodzak and his wife Cindy of Mechanicsburg, James Vodzak and his wife Mary of Bear Creek, David Vodzak of Nanticoke, Elaine Vodzak and her companion, Thomas Young of Shavertown; Eleven grandchildren including Jennifer Yinger (Mark); Laura Kobak (Steve); Amanda Sharry-Rogers (Len); Sarah Nunez (Diego); Rebecca Norby (Brian); Chrisopher Sharry; Hunter Vodzak; Nicholas Vodzak; Tyler Vodzak; Emily Vodzak; Jonathon Gitomer; Eight Great-Grandchildren, Jocelyn Gitomer; Brandon and Aubrey Rogers; Logan and Conrad Kobak; Viviana and Victor Nunez and Alexander Norby; Brother, Mr. Bernard Vodzak and his wife Mary Joan of Wilkes-Barre; Sister, Mrs. Dolores Redmond and her husband Richard of Seattle, WA; Several brothers and sisters-in-law; Numerous nieces, nephews, former patrons and dear friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Vodzak will be conducted on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. from the North Wilkes-Barre location of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 625 North Main Street followed by his funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in the Parish of Saint Andre Bessette, 668 North Main Street. The Reverend Kenneth M. Seegar, pastor will serve as celebrant and homilist. Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery of Saint Andre Bessette Parish, Dorchester Drive, Dallas.
Relatives and friends may join the Vodzak family for visitation and remembrances Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of floral tributes, memorial contributions in Mr. Vodzak’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choosing.
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