Stephen Hutnick

Stephen Hutnick, 97, a resident of ManorCare Nursing and Health Center, formerly of Newitt Place, Kingston, passed into eternal life early Saturday morning, Dec. 11, 2010, at the facility.

Born Feb. 27, 1913, in Larksville, he was a son of the late John and Mary Beretsky Hutnick. He was educated in the Larksville schools.

Following his education, Mr. Hutnick proudly served our country with the Army, 45th Division, 179th Infantry, as a rifleman, with the rank of private. He was awarded several battle ribbons from these campaigns and was honorably discharged after earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for wounds he received during the invasion and liberation of Southern France in 1944.

Steve returned to the area after his military service, where he lived with his loving wife, Anna. In 1976, he retired from his position as a clerk with the Veterans Administration, having realized 32 years of service.

He was a member of St. Mary Protection of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church, Chestnut Avenue, Kingston, and held membership in Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 283 of Kingston, and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He is remembered as being an avid baseball fan. His favorite team was the New York Yankees. He said, "I love to see them lose."

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Anna Yasenchak, on Feb. 15, 1991. At the time of her death, they had been married 55 years. He was also predeceased by a sister, Mrs. Mary Slavin; a brother, Michael Hutnick; half-brother, George; and half-sister, Helen Stankewicz.

Surviving are his nephew and caregiver, Charles (Chick) Hutnick; a half-sister, Margaret Polomski; half-brother, John Hutnick; as well as several additional nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral services with Panachida will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday from John V. Morris Funeral Home, 625 N. Main St., North Wilkes-Barre, followed by Divine Liturgy at 11:30 a.m. in St. Mary's Protection Byzantine Catholic Church. The Rev. Mykhaylo Prodanets, pastor, will officiate.

Interment will be in the parish cemetery, Pringle Hill.

Relatives and friends may join his family for visitation and remembrances from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services on Wednesday.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family requests memorial donations be made in Steve's memory to Amedisys Hospice Service, 672 N. River St., Suite 301, Plains Township, PA 18705.

To send the Hutnick family online words of comfort, please visit the funeral home website at www.johnvmorrisfuneralhomes.com.