Edward T. “Ted” Proleika Jr., a resident of Forty Fort, passed into eternal life on the morning of his 91^st birthday, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family.

His beloved wife was the late Bette A. (Teresavage) Proleika, who passed away on December 03, 2012. Together, Ted and Bette were blessed to share 46 beautiful years of marriage.

Born on July 21, 1930, in Swoyersville, Ted was one of four children born to the late Edward T. Proleika Sr. and Anna W. (Guzik) Proleika.

Raised in Forty Fort, Ted was proud to be a boy scout in his younger years, and always regretted that he was one badge short of his Eagle Scout. He went on to graduate from the former Forty Fort High School, Class of 1948, where he was standout member of its wrestling team, and was silver medalist for the Pennsylvania state wrestling championship in both 1947 and 1948. Following high school, he went on to further his education at Penn State Lehman Campus, studying mechanical engineering.

A United States Air Force veteran, Ted honorably served his country for four years during the Korean War. During his time in the service, he served with the strategic air command and assisted with mid-air refueling of jets. He was thrilled to travel all around the world with the Air Force, most notably serving in Japan, Guam, and Hawaii. He survived a near disaster when a jet he was aboard had to make an emergency landing in the Antarctic and was stranded there for 43 days at the last station of the “distant early warning system line”. Upon his honorable discharge on March 15, 1957, he attained the rank of staff sergeant.

Prior to his retirement, Ted was employed for 30 years as a maintenance supervisor for the former Clarks Summit State Hospital.

Ted was a faithful Catholic and a life member of the former Saint Mary of Czestochowa Church, Swoyersville. Following the consolidation of his church, he became a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville.

A proud veteran, Ted was a life member of the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville.

Ted had a great passion for baseball throughout his life and was a diehard fan of the Saint Louis Cardinals. He loved that his grandson, Jonah, shared in his passion for baseball, and he enjoyed attending all of Jonah’s baseball games.

Above all, Ted’s greatest love in life was for his family. He was a loyal husband, a devoted father, an adoring pop pop, a supportive brother, and a friend to all. Although his presence will be missed beyond words, there is much joy in knowing he is reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, Bette, and all his family and friends who have gone before him.

In addition to his parents, Edward Sr. and Anna, and his wife, Bette, Ted was preceded in death by his brothers, Ronald Proleika and Fred Proleika Sr.; and his sister, Mary Jo Mackavage.

Ted is survived by his two children, Edward T. Proleika III and his wife, Carol, West Nanticoke; and Julianne Astolfi and her husband, Dean, Exeter; his four grandchildren, Olivia Astolfi, Nathan Proleika, Gabriella Proleika, and Jonah Astolfi; his sisters-in-law, Shirley Proleika, Forty Fort; and Barbara Proleika, Clearwater, Florida; as well as his many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ted’s Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 11:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Reverend Joseph J. Pisaneschi, his Pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Air Force.

In keeping with Ted’s wishes, a closed casket visitation will be held on Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

For additional information or to send the Proleika Family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home’s website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.