Richard J. Olejnik, 88, a lifelong resident of Swoyersville, passed into eternal life on Saturday afternoon, October 20, 2018, at Tiffany Court Assisted Living, Kingston, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
His beloved wife was the late Ruth Julia (Shuella) Olejnik, who passed away on December 23, 1996. Together, Richard and Ruth shared 39 beautiful years of marriage.
Born on June 07, 1930, in Swoyersville, Richard was one of nine children born to the late John M. Olejnik and Susan (Sitar) Olejnik.
Richard was a graduate of the former Swoyersville High School, Class of 1948.
Following high school, Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force and honorably served his country for six years. During his time in the service, he was stationed in Weisbaden, Germany and Rhein-Main, Germany, where he served during the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, Richard had attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Upon being discharged from the service, he immediately began working for the former Bratsvo Slovak Newspaper, Wilkes-Barre, where he quickly became skilled on the linotype. He then went on to work for a short time for the Times Leader Newspaper and then became employed as a typesetter for Llewelyn & McKane, Wilkes-Barre, from where he retired. Richard also worked part-time as a typesetter for the former Charles Lahr Printing Company, Hazle Street, Wilkes-Barre.
Richard was a member of the Wilkes-Barre Printing Pressman’s Union, Local 137c; the Graphic Communications International Union; CWA International Typographical Union, Wilkes-Barre Local; a life member of the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville, where he served as a past finance officer; and the Saint Conrad’s Young Men’s Society, Wilkes-Barre.
A faithful Catholic, Richard was a lifelong member of the former Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Swoyersville, and its Holy Name Society, serving as its past Secretary/Treasurer. Following the consolidation of his church, he became a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville.
Richard was a dedicated sports fan and religiously followed his Eagles, Phillies, Penn State, and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He was also an avid bowler and while he was stationed in Germany, he was a member of the Rhein-Main team; and locally, he bowled with several teams winning countless tournaments along the way.
In addition to his parents, John and Susan Olejnik, and his wife, Ruth, Richard was preceded in death by his brothers, infant Joseph Olejnik and John Olejnik; his sisters, Mary Olejnik, Susan Fetchko, and Matilda Salanski; and his son-in-law, Robert W. Tibus.
Richard is survived by his seven children, Richard J. Olejnik and his wife, Mary, Houston, Texas; Joan McGough and her husband, Albert, Byhalia, Mississippi; James M. Olejnik and his wife, Cheryl, Shickshinny; Barbara Tibus, West Wyoming; Carolyn Tibus and her husband, William, Jacksonville, North Carolina; Michael J. Olejnik, Landenberg, Pennsylvania; and Janice Romanowski and her husband, Raymond, Harding; his thirteen grandchildren, Nikki and Justin Olejnik; Jason Sullivan; Nathan, Maggie, and Katie Tibus; Daniel, Brandon, and Abby Tibus; Andrew Olejnik; Billy, Sara, and Matthew Romanowski; his three great-grandchildren, Reena Pratt, Dante Sullivan, and Elliot Tibus; his brother, Bernie Olejnik, Georgia; his sisters, Annie Lumas, Connecticut; Laura Zuk, Kingston; and Carol Swatko, Dallas; and generations of nieces and nephews.
Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at 9:30 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 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 the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Air Force.
Family and Friends are invited to Richard’s viewing which will be held on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at the funeral home.
For additional information or to send the Olejnik Family a message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home’s website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to a charity of the donor’s choice.