Obituary of Andrew Wanat

Andrew Wanat, 53, of Plains Township, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 5, 2023, with his loving wife, Joan, and family by his side. Andy was born April 11, 1970, to the late Andrew and Anna Wanat of Wilkes-Barre. He was a graduate of G.A.R. High School Class of 1988 and was an alumnus of Wilkes University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. For more than 26 years, Andy was employed in Healthcare Administration: 16 years at Cognizant and previously at Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Andy met his wife and soulmate, the former Joan Klimek, in 2004, and they recently celebrated their 10th Wedding Anniversary on May 4, 2023. They were inseparable and had a beautiful marriage and life together for the past 19 years. As a talented guitarist, Andy’s passion for music led him to perform, write, and record original music for his entire life. He also taught private music lessons for nearly two decades, inspiring countless students over the years. He also enjoyed reading, listening to contemporary jazz music, and, most of all, spending time with his loving wife. Andy took great pride in owning and maintaining his rental properties, along with his other entrepreneurial ventures. He was the most beautiful soul that you would ever want to meet. He was kind, compassionate, witty, and gentle – always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Anna Wanat, and his brother, Rickey Wanat; father- and mother-in-law John and Josephine Klimek. Andy will be missed immensely by his loving wife, Joan, son, Kenneth Luck, Ph.D., and daughter, Kimberly Kostelnik and her husband, Chris; grandchildren Aaron, Andrew, and Ava Kostelnik; sister, Darlene Richards, and her husband Tom; nephew Tom Richards, Jr.; niece Kim Swan and her husband Bob; great-niece and nephew, Ella and Ethan Swan; aunt Dolores Palladino and uncle Ted and Jean Chernyl; brother-in-law, John Klimek and his wife, Janice; sister-in-law, Donna Anthony; nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the Saints Peter and Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains Twp. Mass will be officiated by the Rev. Paul McDonnell. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Twp. Family and friends may call on Thursday, November 9,from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc. 55 Stark Street, Plains. The family would like to thank the exceptional care of Dr. Patrick Kerrigan and the staff at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.