John T. Strocko, Jr.

John T. Strocko Jr., 72 of Mount Carmel, passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Born in Shamokin on December 14, 1949, he was the son of the late John T. Strocko Sr. and Mary (Nolan) Strocko.

He was a 1967 graduate of Mount Carmel High School.

John enlisted in the US Navy and served his country aboard the USS Shenandoah.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he was employed by Cardinal Container which later became known as International Paper, Mount Carmel Township.

He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and the Atlas American Legion Post 804.

John will be greatly missed by his wife of fifty years, the former Carol Karwacki; they wed on May 6, 1972 in the former Saint Joseph’s Church, Mount Carmel. Above all else, he loved and was deeply proud of his children and grandchildren. He is survived by three sons, Mark Strocko and his wife Jennifer of Elysburg, Brian Strocko of Mount Carmel and Kyle Strocko of Mount Carmel; two granddaughters, Alyssa and Amanda Strocko; three sisters, Betsy Griffith of Vineland, New Jersey, Joan Breslin and her husband Joseph of Vineland, New Jersey and Barbara Miller and her husband Richard of St. Petersburg, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John had a special love for his extended “brothers and sisters”, Eileen Pigeon of South Carolina and Howard, Jean and Ed Mannello of Sinking Spring, Tony and Gail Karwacki of Bethlehem, Tina and John Palumbo of Bethlehem, Charles and Sandy Karwacki of York, Marie and Frank Crawford of Mount Carmel, Paul and Marianne Karwacki of State College, and Patricia and John Stockalis of Mifflinville and all of their children and grandchildren.

A special “thank you” to John’s “adopted brother”, Father Frank Karwacki who never gave up on John with his blessings, prayers, visits to the home and by his side at the hospitals. If everyone could be more like John, loving deeply, placing God first in your life and taking the time to enjoy the gifts that He gave us. He enjoyed life especially beach trips to Ocean City, Maryland, the sunrise and sunsets over the ocean, eating out with friends, enjoying the ROMEO Club, and being with his three sons and “three” girls.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 11:00 am in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church with the Rev. Francis J. Karwacki, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow in Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, Mount Carmel Township. A viewing will be held on Friday morning from 9:00 am until 10:45 am in the church. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 47 South Market Street, Mount Carmel, PA 17851. Joseph J. Stutz Inc. Funeral Home, 40 South Market Street, Mount Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, Supervisor has been entrusted with the arrangements. To offer a condolence for John’s family, please visit the Tribute Wall at www.stutzfuneralhome.com.