Kenneth J. May

1946 - 2023

Kenneth J. May, 77, of Wilkes-Barre, entered into eternal life Saturday evening, Oct. 14, 2023, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Twp.

His loving wife is Rita B. Shovarsky May. Together, Ken and Rita celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on April 8.

Born on Sept. 2, 1946, in Hazleton, Kenneth was one of three children born to the late Charles May and Margaret Bursack May.

Raised in West Hazleton, Ken was a graduate of West Hazleton High School, Class of 1964.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Ken honorably served his country for 2½ years during the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable discharge on May 7, 1968, he attained the rank of disbursing clerk third class.

Prior to his retirement, Ken was employed as an office furniture and supplies salesman by Swift and Barnes, Scranton, and, in his earlier years, worked in the same capacity for Deemers Office Supply, Scranton. Additionally, he was the owner and operator of the former Happy Day's Café, Lee Park section of Hanover Twp., for many years.

Ken was a member of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, St. Aloysius Church, Wilkes-Barre; the American Legion, Post 673, Ashley; the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lani Post 632, Hudson; and the Oak Grove Social Club, Goose Island section of Wilkes-Barre.

An avid sports enthusiast, Ken was a great fan of the Penn State Nittany Lions, Notre Dame, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Phillies. He and his wife shared a great love for the animals they had throughout their years together, and treasured the many camping trips they shared at Lake Wallenpaupack.

In addition to his parents, Charles and Margaret May, Ken was preceded in death by his brother, Charles May; and his brother-in-law, Ralph Mattes.

Left to cherish Ken's memory are his wife, Rita; their son, Christopher May and his wife, Barbara, Dallas; sister, Lorraine Mattes, Alpine, N.J.; sister-in-law, Carol May, Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews.

The May family wishes to extend their gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center for their care and support of Ken during his time of illness. They wish to extend their sincerest gratitude to staff of the PCU at Geisinger for all they did to provide Ken comfort during his final days.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a memorial visitation which will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, St. Aloysius Church, 143 Division St., Wilkes-Barre, with a memorial Mass to commence at 10 a.m.. The Rev. Richard J. Cirba, his pastor, will be the celebrant.

The May family has entrusted the funeral arrangements for Ken to the care of the Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.

To share a message of condolence with Ken's family, visit the funeral home's website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

The family kindly requests that floral tributes be omitted. Memorial contributions may be made in Ken's memory to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org/donate); or to Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, 974 Lockville Road, Dallas, PA 18612 (www.bcfanimalrefuge.org/donate).