John J. Kotchik Jr., 77, a resident of Swoyersville, passed into eternal life on Friday evening, September 25, 2026, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.

His beloved wife of 44 years was the late Carol M. Zalenski Kotchik who passed away on October 14, 2015.

Born on February 16, 1949, in Kingston, John was one of three children born to the late John J. “Dick” Kotchik and Marcella Surgenevitch Kotchik.

Raised in Swoyersville, John was a graduate of the former Swoyersville High School, Class of 1966

A United States Marine Corps veteran, John honorably served his country for three years during the Vietnam War with one of those years being served in combat. Attaining the rank of Corporal, John was decorated with the National Service Defense Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 stars, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation and the Good Conduct Medal, and was honorably discharged on August 18, 1969.

Upon returning home from his military service, John began working in construction for the contractor’s union. He then became employed PP&L, working for ten years as an electronics specialist at its power plant in Berwick, eventually transitioning to a 25-year career at Tobyhanna Army Depot where he worked as a satellite communications specialist until his retirement.

A proud veteran, John was a life-member of the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville, and also was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Anthracite Post 283, Kingston.

John was a well-liked man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life such as trips to Atlantic City and socializing with his friends. Above all, his greatest enjoyment in life was spending quality time with his beloved wife, his loving children, and his adoring grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, John and Marcella, and his wife, Carol, John was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Delano.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Jeffrey Kotchik and his wife, Lori, Chesapeake, Virginia; Richard Kotchik and his wife, Gina, Larksville; and Karen Kotchik Hughes and her husband, Brandon, Swoyersville; his grandchildren, William “Billy” Kotchik, Emma Kotchik, Madilyn Hughes, Peyton Kotchik, and Makayla Kotchik; his brother, Thomas Kotchik, Swoyersville; as well as his nieces, nephews, and friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend John’s services which will begin with viewing on Thursday, October 01, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, and continue there on Friday, October 02, 2026, with a second period of viewing from 9:30 to 10:00 AM with a Blessing Service commencing at 10:00 AM with Deacon John C. Jorda of Gate of Heaven Parish, Dallas, and Our Lady of Victory Church, Harvey’s Lake, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in the Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Marine Corps.

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

The family kindly requests that floral offerings be omitted and, if desired, memorial donations be made in John’s honor to the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, 259 Shoemaker Street, Swoyersville, PA 18704.

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