Joseph J. Mera

1927 - 2022

HANOVER TWP. — Joseph J. Mera, age 95, of the Breslau Section of Hanover Township, passed away at home on Dec. 12, 2022.

Born June 3, 1927, in Nanticoke, he was the son of the late Thomas Mera and Agnes Waltos Mera. He attended Nanticoke High School until March of 1945, when he enlisted in the Marine Corps to serve during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1948, and was then reactivated for the Korean War to train soldiers. He left the service in 1951.

He worked for Bethlehem Steel for a time; Saba's Scrapyard; and finally worked as a dynamiter for Bechtel Corp., building the nuclear power plant. He was a member of the Laborers' Local Union 130, and was a volunteer fireman for Breslau Hose Co. #5 for many years. Joe also served as an elected township commissioner for almost 20 years, and was very active in local politics.

He was married for 69 years to the former Veronica Novak, who passed away last year, on Dec. 19.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Tom, Steve, Stanley, John, Walter and Edward Mera.

Surviving are his children: Joanne Mera, of Nanticoke; Judy Shalata, of Nanticoke; Janet Mera, of Forty Fort; Joseph Mera Jr., of Hanover Township; and Jennifer Mera, of Shavertown; grandchildren: Brittany Kasper, of Edwardsville; and Justus Mera, of Las Vegas; and sister, Mary Fromel, of Hanover Township.

Funeral will be held on Saturday, at 10:30 a.m., from the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 West Main St., Plymouth. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Family and friends are invited to call from 9 a.m. until funeral time, at the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, Plymouth.

To submit online condolences to Joseph's family, please visit www.sjgrontkowskifuneralhome.com.