Joseph R. (Butch) Zeske, 73, a resident of Plains Township, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday morning, April 10, 2016, at his home.

His loving wife is Sara J. “Sal” (Weidow) Zeske. Joe and Sal would have celebrated their 29^th wedding anniversary on November 20^th.

Born on August 27, 1942, in Wilkes-Barre, Joseph was the son of the late Joseph and Helen (Peterson) Zeske.

A United States Army veteran, Joe honorably served his country for 4 years as a Private during peacetime.

Prior to his retirement, Joseph was a dedicated employee of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for 22 years.

Joe was a diehard fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, and he enjoyed playing and watching golf. Some of his other enjoyments were fishing, camping, and vacationing.

Above all, Joe’s greatest enjoyment in life was being surrounded by those he loved the most, his family. Although his presence will be deeply missed, he will be fondly remembered for his charismatic personality and his great sense of humor.

In addition to his parents, Joseph and Helen Zeske, Joe was preceded in death by his sister, Marlene Zielinski.

In addition to his wife, Sal, Joe is survived by his children, Denise Miller, Tucson, Arizona; Helen Perrins and her husband, John, Wilkes-Barre; Joseph Zeske and his wife, Rosa, Hampton, Virginia; Rene Zeske, Scranton; and Shawndra McCracken, Kingston; his grandchildren, John Perrins and his wife, Vanessa; Joshua Perrins; Robert Cleary; Bethany Perrins; Christopher Cleary; Lee McCracken; Destiny Miller; and Desirae Miller; his brother, James Zeske and his wife, Barbara, Hanover Township; his many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at 9:15 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Saint Andrew’s Roman Catholic Parish, 316 Parrish Street, Wilkes-Barre, with the Reverend James E. McGahagan, Pastor, officiating.

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

Family and Friends are invited to call on Wednesday evening, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send the Zeske family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home website www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com.

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