Sergeant First Class, Donald J. Rakus Sr., U.S. Army Reserves, Retired, 80, a resident of Swoyersville, passed into eternal life on Thursday afternoon, April 04, 2024, at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, following a brief illness.

His loving wife is Theresa M. Fino Rakus. Together, Don and Theresa celebrated their 57^th wedding anniversary on October 08, 2023.

Born on September 27, 1943, in West Wyoming, Donald was the son of the late Elmer Rakus and Dorothy Lukchunis Rakus Lukacinsky, and was the step-son of the late Francis “Hawkeye” Lukacinsky.

Raised in Swoyersville, Don was a graduate of the former Swoyersville High School, Class of 1961. He later went on to attend Lackawanna Junior College, Scranton, studying business administration.

A United States Army veteran, Don honorably served his country during the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. Beginning his military service as a U.S. Army Reservist with the 402^nd Military Police Detachment, Ashley, he faithfully served his country for 30 years until his retirement on September 27, 2003, achieving the rank of Sergeant 1^st Class. During his time of service, he was the recipient of countless awards and decorations, most notably his parachutist badge.

Prior to his civilian retirement, Don was employed with the Laborers Union Local 158.

Don was a faithful member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Holy Trinity Church, Swoyersville, where he served as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist.

Proud of his service to his country, Don was an active member of the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville, serving as its past treasurer, and the Catholic War Veterans, Post, Memorial Post 1601, Swoyersville, currently serving as its commander.

A man of “many hats”, Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, and, most of all golfing – it was truly his passion. He was a longtime member of Four Seasons Golf Club, Exeter, serving as president of its “Fairway Club”, and was actively involved with the Swoyersville Little League program for many years.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Theresa, and their son, Donald F. Rakus Jr., Swoyersville; his sisters, Marlene Lukacinsky, Swoyersville; and Denise Comny and her husband, Jim, Wilkes-Barre; as well as his nieces, nephews, and friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Reverend Father John J. Chmil, his Pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Memorial Shrine Cemetery, Wyoming, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army.

Family and friends are invited to attend Don’s viewing which will be held on Thursday, April 11 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at the funeral home.

To share a memory of Don or message of condolence with his family, you may visit the funeral home website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Don’s memory to Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, 974 Lockville Road, Dallas, PA 18612.

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