Obituary of John A. Kopec

John Andrew Kopec, 77, a lifelong resident of the Miners- Mills section of Wilkes-Barre, passed peacefully at his home on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Born in Wilkes-Barre on July 23,1948, he was a son of the late Andrew and Anna Chropcho Kopec. John grew up in Miners-Mills and attended the St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic School, Wilkes-Barre where he was an altar boy for the church growing up. John was a graduate of the James M. Coughlin High School, class of 1966. During his high school years, he and a group of young men were known for building race car motors. After graduation, John joined the United States Army and was sent to the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged, he returned home. On May 23, 1972, John married his lifetime love, the former Lois Panattieri. They resided in Miners-Mills where they raised their two children, Michael and Sherry. John was employed for almost forty years as a laborer on the prep crew for Addy Asphalt and American Asphalt, Laflin. In his spare time John loved to go fishing, hunting, gardening, or spend time walking on the family farm in Laceyville. He and his wife Lois would enjoy a date night and go to the Breakers and listen to music. John was proud of his faith and was a lifelong member of the St. Mary's Byzantine Church, Wilkes-Barre. He was also very proud of his military service and was active in the Plains American Legion, Post 558 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Lani Post 6325, Hudson. John was preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Anna Kopec, brother-in-law Ronald "Sarge" Roslewicz, Aunts Eva Chropcho and Dolores Kundla, and his uncle David Kundla. Surviving to mourn his passing are his loving wife of fifty-two years Lois, at home; son Michael and his wife Carol Ann Zawadski Kopec, Bear Creek; daughter Sherry Kopec Kirkland and her husband Joey, Lakeland, FL ; brother Stephen and his wife Cindy, Miners-Mills; sister in law Barbara Roslewicz, Plains; grandchildren George Moser and his wife Brittany, Dallas, and Gregory Moser and his wife Mallory, Delaware; great grandchildren Lilah and Maverick Moser; his aunt Margie Chropcho, and uncle Nick Chropcho, and his loving walking companion and beloved dog, Opel. Funeral Service for John will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. from the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., 55 Stark Street, Plains, with the Office of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary's of the Assumption Byzantine Church, 695 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Interment with military honors to follow in the Plymouth National Cemetery, Wyoming. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 15, in the evening from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's memory may be given to the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 East Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18702.