It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Francis S. “Frank” Hovanec, of Swoyersville, on Wednesday, February 05, 2025, at the age of 88.

His loving wife of 67 years is Janet Govier Hovanec, originally of London, England.

Born on June 04, 1936, in Wilkes-Barre, Francis was one of five children born to the late John Hovanec and Victoria Zavatski Hovanec.

Raised in Swoyersville, Frank was a graduate of the former Saint Nicholas High School, Wilkes-Barre, and proudly served in the United States Air Force for 20 years. He began his career as a medic and later advancing to a registered nurse and nurse anesthetist. He graduated from Bellevue and Mills School of Nursing at New York University and retired from the Air Force in 1979 with the rank of Captain.

While his professional achievements were impressive, Frank always considered his most cherished roles to be as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He will be remembered for his kind-hearted nature, gentle demeanor, and humble intelligence. Outside of his career, he had a deep passion for beekeeping, gardening, and boat building. For thirty winters, Frank and Janet enjoyed time in Naples, Florida, where he also enjoyed part-time work on the golf course, driving for Hertz, and spending time with friends.

In addition to his parents, John and Victoria Hovanec, Frank was preceded in death by his siblings, Florence Hovanec, John Robert Hovanec, George Hovanec, and Mary Czerpak, along with their spouses.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Janet, and their two children, daughter, Carolyn Hovanec Lalos and her husband, Dr. Alexander Lalos, Clarks Summit; son, Stephen Hovanec and his wife, Lorianne Allen Hovanec, Swoyersville; granddaughters, Alexandra Lalos Church and her husband, Kyle, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Stephanie Lalos Gray and her husband, Chris, Raleigh, North Carolina; as well as many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and England.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a memorial visitation which will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

A private memorial service will be held on Tuesday in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Air Force.

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

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you honor Frank by donating to Wreaths Across America by visiting www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/185889

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