John A. Johannes, 96
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — John Anthony Johannes, 96, of 85 Eagle St., St. Joseph's Court, died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, at Williamstown Commons.
Born in Palmerton, Pa., on Aug. 11, 1918, the son of John and Helen Mandak Johannes, he graduated with the class of 1936 from Palmerton High School.
A decorated Army veteran of World War II, he served as a corporal.
Mr. Johannes and his late wife, Josephine, owned and operated the J-Bar in the Palmerton area of Lower Towamensing Township for 37 years, retiring in 1987. He was first employed by the New Jersey Zinc Co. in Palmerton.
He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Parish in Pennsylvania. After moving to North Adams in 2005, he attended services at the former St. Anthony of Padua Church. He was a life member of the Slovak Catholic Sokol fraternal athletic organization and was an avid gymnast with it in his youth. He continued to remain active in sports, particularly enjoying skiing and swimming as often as possible.
His wife, the former Josephine Kralik, whom he married Feb. 22, 1941, died Sept. 29, 2002.
He leaves a daughter, Karen Johannes Parkinson and her husband, James, of Williamstown; three grandchildren, Rebecca Parkinson and her husband, Jake MacLellan, of Tetonia, Idaho, Kathryn Gaska, and her husband, Joe, of Medford and Christopher Parkinson and his wife, Tessa Kelly, of New Haven, Conn.; a great-granddaughter, Celia Gaska of Medford, and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
He was predeceased by two children, both in infancy; two brothers, Frank and Steve Johannes, and two sisters, Antonia Tomashak and Mary Partel.
FUNERAL NOTICE — There will be no calling hours. A private burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Pennsylvania and a memorial service at Sacred Heart Church in Palmerton will be planned for a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the hospice organization of one's choice through Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.