Esther F. Zelenak

Esther F. Zelenak (Evans), 85, of Hazle Twp. passed away peacefully Saturday morning in Lehigh Valley Allentown Hospice after a brief illness.

Born and raised in Hazleton, she was the daughter of Howard and Mollie (Martin) Evans.

She was a member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish at the Church of Saint Joseph, Hazleton.

Esther was a 1954 graduate of St. Gabriel's High School and a 1957 graduate of Hazleton State General Hospital School of Nursing.

She worked as a registered nurse for many years and took pride in helping others. She was an avid reader with a love of happy endings. She enjoyed cooking and opening up her home to friends and family for holidays and gatherings. Esther liked to look to the future and embraced technology to strengthen her connections.

As a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, family was everything to Esther. She shared 60 years of marriage with the love of her life, Phil Zelenak. They built a wonderful life together raising their family.

Preceding Esther in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, Phil Zelenak, her sister, Sister Mary Francine SSJ, and her brother, Dr. Richard M. Evans.

Esther is survived by her daughter, Mary Gutermuth, and her husband, Dr. Melvin; son, James Zelenak, and his wife, Sue (McElwee); and daughter, Jane Campagna, and her husband, Benjamin; grandchildren, Dr. Kevin Gutermuth and his wife, Dr. Lily Colpitts; Kate (Gutermuth) Staicer and her husband, Nik; Jessica Zelenak; and Nicki Zelenak; great-grandchildren, Noelle and Noah Staicer; and a nephew and several nieces.

Her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish at the Church of Saint Joseph, Hazleton. Visitation will be the hour preceding the service at the church.

Private burial for family only will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.

Arrangements are under the direction of Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc., 542 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton.