Kenneth A. Bodnar

Kenneth A. Bodnar, age 93, of Wyalusing, Pa., passed away late Wednesday evening, June 7, 2017, peacefully in his sleep at his home.

Ken was born on March 28, 1924 in Wyalusing, Pa., the son of the late Michael Bodnar and Gertrude Minier. He left Wyalusing Valley High School in December of 1942 to join the Marine Corps, but was awarded his high school diploma from Wyalusing Valley High School in the 2000s. Ken served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a PFC from 1943 until being honorably discharged in January of 1946. He was stationed in the Asia Pacific area from July 1944 to December 1945. He fought on the island of Iwo Jima where he watched the raising of both the flags on Iwo Jima. Ken is a 50-year member of the Wyalusing American Legion Post No. 534.

On Jan. 21, 1947, Ken married the love of his life, the former Mabel Hatch and they remained in the Wyalusing area for the rest of their lives. In the early years of their marriage they settled at the Turrell Farm in Wilmot Township, where they worked the apple orchard for several years. They then bought the Ideal Lodge Tavern in Wyalusing, now known as The Ram Zone. They owned and operated the tavern for many years before moving to their current home in Merryall in the late 1950s. Ken retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier in Wyalusing.

Ken and Mabel loved to travel and visited many states. They would take month-long trips across the United States to Alaska in a motor home with their daughter Janice and late son-in-law Harold Lindsay. In the longer winter months Ken did paint by number paintings that turned out amazing. He also did macramé, and also made handcrafted tin men, which can be seen in many homes in the area.

Ken was an avid hunter and fisher. He managed to bring down a deer every year for many years. He went on hunting trips to Vermont, Canada and Wyoming. He brought down an antelope in Wyoming, a bear in Vermont, as well as a moose and a bear in Canada. He also fished for salmon several years in Pulaski, N.Y., and also in Canada.

Surviving are his children, Janice Brown and her husband Gerald Sr. of Maine, N.Y., Dawn Fehnel of Wyalusing, Pa., Vivian Bodnar of Gering, Neb., and Kenneth N. Bodnar of Wyalusing, Pa.; grandchildren, Gerald Brown Jr. and his wife Anne, Gabriel Engisch, Doris Engisch Tuttle and her husband Charles, Nolan Clark, and Kathryn Fernandez and her husband Francisco; great-grandchildren, Rebecca Brown; Caden, Talon, and Adrian Engisch; Chloe, Chase, and Cora Tuttle; and Kieran and Rowan Fernandez. Also surviving is his brother, Ralph Bodnar (Edna) of Binghamton, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Betty Bodnar of the Bradford County Manor; as well as many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel (Dec. 17, 2008); infant son, Val K. Bodnar (1955); brother, John L. Bodnar; son-in-law, Harold H. Lindsay; and son-in-law, Terrance Fehnel.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date at the convenience of the family. Internment will be held at Wyalusing Borough Cemetery at that time Ken and Mabel will be laid to rest together with military honors conducted by the members of the Wyalusing American Legion Post No. 534. Arrangements were entrusted with Sheldon Funeral Homes, 155 Church St., Wyalusing, Pa.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Wyalusing American Legion Post No. 534, P.O. Box 71, Wyalusing, PA 18853.

Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com.