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Kniffen O'Malley Leffler Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc.

465 S. Main Street

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

John Koukoltsios Obituary

John Koukoltsios, 83, of Wyoming, passed away Tuesday morning, April 16, 2013, at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on Nov. 1, 1929 in Kozani, Greece, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Anastasia (Tsadiras) Koukoltsios.

John was educated in Greece. He attended the University of Salonica, where he studied physics. After college, he served as an engineer in the Greek army, where he was a first lieutenant.

Upon his return, John worked as a shoe designer, a trade he learned from his father. In 1959, Heavenly Shoes relocated him from Greece to the Wyoming Valley.

In 1973, John and his brother-in-law, George Tsioles, opened the first Mr. Donut shops in Kingston and Exeter. He later opened other locations with his wife, Harriet, in Pittston and Carbondale. He was the current owner of Donut Connection in Exeter.

John was a faithful member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Wilkes-Barre, where he was very active for more than 50 years. He was also a member and former president of the local chapter of AHEPA and a member of the Foreman and Superintendents Association.

He played piano, violin, saxophone and the accordion. John was one of the founding members of Estia Pierithon, a philharmonic association in Greece, and composed music as well.

John was devoted to his family and grandchildren, and enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends.

He is survived by his loving wife, the former Harriet Calimeres, with whom he celebrated 49 years of marriage in January; daughters, Anastasia Lawrence and her husband, Shane, Blandon, and Dina Banas and her husband, Dave, Harding; grandchildren, Casey and Christopher Lawrence, and John and Julia Banas; sisters, Popi and Kaiti, Greece; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home Inc., 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Trisagion service will be at 6 p.m Friday at the funeral home. The funeral will begin Saturday at 9:30 a.m at the funeral home, followed by services at 10 a.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 32 Ross St., Wilkes-Barre, with Father Gabriel Nicholas officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Memorial donations may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 32 Ross St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

To send John's family online words of comfort and friendship, please visit www.bestlifetributes.com.

Published by Times Leader on Apr. 18, 2013.
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2 Entries

I am so sorry to hear about John's passing. my thoughts and prayers are with you...I worked at Mr. donut in Exeter when it first opened...he was a great boss and a wonderful man.

Nancy Hetro Evens

April 22, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Bob and Eileen Hines

April 19, 2013

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Kniffen O'Malley Leffler Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc.

465 S. Main Street, Wilkes Barre, PA 18701

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