John P. Milius

John P. Milius, 75, of Swoyersville, passed into eternal life unexpectedly Thursday evening, Oct. 20, 2022, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Twp.

His loving wife is Elizabeth J. Evans Milius, with whom John would have celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on Nov. 18.

Born Sept. 24, 1947, in Nesbitt Memorial Hospital, Kingston, John was one of four children born to the late John F. Milius and Lottie Katchko Milius.

Residing in Swoyersville most of his life, John was a graduate of the former Swoyersville High School, Class of 1965. He went on to further his education at King's College, Wilkes-Barre, where, in 1970, he acquired his Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Prior to his retirement, John was employed in the local construction business and landscape design business.

John was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville.

John's true passion in life was baseball. He began his baseball career with the Swoyersville Little League, continuing to play in high school and at the collegiate level for King's College. After college, he played for the Central and Scranton Leagues, and was a noted pro prospect. Due to an injury, his dream of playing professionally was cut short, however it opened the door to his coaching career.

John began his coaching career at West Side Vocational Technical School, Pringle, where he coached football, basketball and baseball. He eventually went on to coach Wyoming Valley West Junior High Baseball before being hired as the varsity head coach in 2006. During his tenure as the Spartan's coach, he acquired a record of 195-71, winning 7 District 2 Class 4A titles, and was state runner-up in 2015.

Known for his "old school" coaching style and his famous phrase "You Gotta Squeeze!", Coach Milius will be remembered as a legend in the baseball community, and his legacy will continue on through the athletes he coached and mentored through the years.

Family was always at the center of John's life, and he cherished every moment he had with his loved ones, most especially his granddaughters - they were the light of his life! John will forever be remembered as an incredible husband, father and PopPop.

In addition to his parents, John and Lottie Milius, John was preceded in death by his sisters, Patricia Swaboski and Lorraine Talerico; and brother, Ronald Milius.

In addition to his wife, Elizabeth, John is survived by his daughter, Janelle Milius and her boyfriend, Kurt Krasavage, Edwardsville; son, Jonathon Milius and his wife, Eryn, Dallas; and granddaughters, Reese and Avery Milius, both of Dallas.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. Thursday from Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes St., Swoyersville, with the Rev. Joseph J. Pisaneschi, his pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville.

Family and friends are invited to attend John's viewing from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

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

The family has kindly requested that flowers be omitted. Memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, 974 Lockville Road, Dallas, PA 18612.