WILKES-BARRE — Joseph L. Schwab, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Sept. 4, 2018, at Bethany Village Retirement Center, Mechanicsburg.
Born in Wilkes-Barre on March 23, 1931, he was the son of the late James E. Schwab and Emma (Lahr) Schwab. Joe graduated from St. Nicholas High School, Class of 1949, and later went on to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War. Joe, a longtime member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 163, started a business from the basement of his home in 1960 and, along with his father and brother, owned and operated Schwab Electric Inc. in Wilkes-Barre for over 20 years. A former member of St. Therese Parish, he coached and sponsored several St. Therese Little League teams. Joe was an avid golfer and a past member of Wyoming Valley Country Club.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brother James L. Schwab; sisters-in-law Anne (Egidio) Schwab and Patricia (Brady) Egidio; and nephew James F. Schwab. Joe's survivors include his wife, Rosemary (Egidio) Schwab; and sons and daughters: Joe and his fiancée, Norma Yates, Susan and her husband, Matt Beddow, Michael and his wife, Dorothy (Charles), and Maryann Sperazza and her husband, Mike. Joe will also be missed by his grandchildren: Romana and Marco Bruderer-Schwab, Taylor, Nicole and Michael Schwab, Wyatt Beddow and Julian Sperazza. He is also survived by brother-in-law Frank and his wife, Jean Egidio, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at Mamary-Durkin Funeral Parlor, Parrish Street, Wilkes-Barre. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, from St. Andrew's (formerly St. Patrick's) Church, Parrish Street, followed by a private interment at St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of Bethany Village Retirement Center, Mechanicsburg, for the outstanding care and comfort they provided to Joe. For those who desire, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Bethany Village's Care Assurance Fund, c/o BV Development Office, 325 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Rosemary, Joey, Susan, Michael,Mary Ann, So very sorry for your loss. May your happy memories help you through this difficult time. Paul & Cathy Zavada
September 18, 2018
Mrs. Schwab, Susan, and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I have many happy memories of your dad rocking in that comfy chair in your kitchen while we sat around your table talking. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Kathy McGrane McIntyre
September 18, 2018
We were so sorry to read the sad news about Joe. He was a great basketball player and it was a pleasure spending our high school years together at St. Nick's.Please know our prayers and deepest sympathy are with you. Captain Thomas M. Vojtek, USN, ret
Thomas Vojtek
September 14, 2018
Dear Mrs. Schwab and Family,
I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. Schwab's passing. He was such a kind man and for me personally; inspiring. He was always encouraging to so many of us as kids whether it was on the baseball field or at the kitchen table at 109 Birch St. Our chats about Aberdeen Proving Grounds and military service still resonate. I will miss him. Our family offers our heartfelt condolences and prayers.
Dave Walsh
September 14, 2018
Dear Rosemary, Susan, Joey, Michael and Mary Ann,
Our deepest sympathy. May your hearts be filled with
wonderful memories of all the good times you shared together
as you celebrate a life well lived.
Sincerely,
Linda Lee and Bill Chiesi
September 13, 2018
Mrs. Schwab, Joey, Susan, Michael and Mary Ann,
I'm so sorry. I have so many great
memories of Mr. Schwab and all of you.
Austy
September 12, 2018
Rosemary and family,
Sorry to hear of Joe's death. You are all remembered in my prayers.
Bethann Geiser
September 12, 2018
Mrs. Schwab, Joe, Susan, Michael, and Maryann,
I am deeply sorry for the passing of Mr. Schwab. As a daily visitor to your house since I was a little boy, I have fond memories of Mr. Schwab, who always made me feel welcome. My thoughts are with you all.
Robert Lorusso
September 12, 2018
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. I HAVE KNOWN JOE FOR MANY YEARS, A GREAT GUY. LOVED BY ALL, GREAT PERSONALITY. AWSOME BUSINESS MAN. HE WILL SURELY BE MISSED. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
ANDREW MAMARY
September 12, 2018
To Mike and the entire Schwab family I wish to pass on my condolences for your loss. RIP coach.
Phil Klug
September 12, 2018
"My heartfelt condolences to the family during this most emotional time. At Psalm 90:10 it state that one life span is 70 years or 80 if one is especially strong. Mr. Schwab was certainly a strong and blessed man."
Ola
September 12, 2018
Rosemary,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Joe was a good person .
I will remember those annual meetings over tar returns data.
Jerry Matlowski
September 12, 2018
Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results
Funeral services provided by:
Mamary-Durkin Funeral & Cremation Services59 Parrish St., Wilkes Barre, PA 18702
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more