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John Handley Obituary
DALLAS — John J. Handley, DDS, 80, of Dallas, passed away on Oct. 12, 2019. Born in Luzerne on Jan. 8, 1939, John was the son of the late John and Martha (Moreck) Handley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Marie Spencer; and grandson, Randy Stair.
In addition to his wife, Joyce, he is survived by his son, John Handley Jr., DDS, and wife, Melissa, of Forty Fort; daughter, Lori Stair and husband, Robert, of Dallas; daughter, Theresa Schreder and husband, Darrin, of Montana; and son, Michael Handley and wife, Michaelean, of Dallas; grandchildren, Jeremy Stair, Megan, Tommy, Samantha, Connor and Isabel Handley, Dylan and Austin Schreder; and sister, Margaret Ziminski.
His family and friends were first and foremost in his life. He was a devoted family man and husband, marrying Joyce in 1960 and being happily married for 59 years. His caring, generous and loving qualities are what he will be most remembered for by anyone who knew him. He was taken too soon and will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved the unforgettable Doc Handley.
Doc was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman that would do anything for anyone and was loved by all that knew him. His favorite place was on his tractor, quad or snowmobile. He loved bringing potatoes, corn and pumpkins to patients and donating to multiple organizations.
Doc graduated from Luzerne High School in 1956 and King's College in 1960. He then went on to graduate with a degree from Temple Dental School in 1964. He then served two years at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. In 1966, he started his own dental practice in Forty Fort, and he worked until retirement in 2017.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Church and Holy Family Parish in Luzerne.
The visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Holy Family Parish, Bennett Street, Luzerne. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton.
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.betzjastremski.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Handley
Jim & Dorothy Staffa
October 6, 2022
Thinking of you all he was a very giving man . We are praying for him
Until we meet again . Rest In Peace John(
Michael Bonieski
March 20, 2020
I only found out that John had died. My brother and I were very good friends in our youth. I have very good memories with John and my brother. The best was on his Uncles farm .
Barbara Wroblewski
October 29, 2019
My deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. Handley. He was my dentist for over twenty five years & was a kind & generous soul. He will be greatly missed. May his memory be Eternal. Rest In Peace, Dr. Handley.✝
October 28, 2019
To the Handley family,
Please accept my deep sympathy on this great loss.
Irene Calaide Wisnieski
Keith Moore
October 17, 2019
So sorry to hear of Doc Handley passing. I worked at your home when you first moved near Lake Louise. I still have fond memories. Your husband and father was a true friend to me. Doc was always upbeat and always reaching out to help others. He took me on many of these early encounters. I regret not stopping in to your home, when I came home, from New York, to see my family. Doc made my life better by knowing him and he trusting in me. He was a great example of what a father and husband and friend should be! My God bless your family!!!
Harry Kemmerer
October 16, 2019
So sorry for your loss. He was a great man and enjoyed going to Casinos with him. Prayers go out.
October 16, 2019
My dear Joyce and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I was a patient of his for 50 years. He was a special person with a great sense of humor. My prayers are with you and your family.
Martha Calabrese
October 15, 2019
Dr. John, Jr. and family, I am deeply sorry to learn of the passing of Dr. J Sr. Try to remember the good times and know he is at peace. Les Turoczi
M/M John Gibbons
October 15, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Debra Altavilla
October 15, 2019
My sincerest sympathies to the Handley Family. Doc was such a kind man who lived life to the fullest! As a Dentist..he had hands of GOLD.. we have lost another one of the good guys...
Susie & Rich Stella
October 15, 2019
Dr John, Jr & family - We were saddened to hear of Doc, Sr's passing. Although we did not know him well, it's obvious that he was a great man as evidenced by your own wonderful character. He & your Mom certainly raised a very kind & compassionate son. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family at this difficult time. May the memories of happy times spent with your dad help ease your grief.
Bob Naugle
October 15, 2019
I'm VERY sorry for your loss. My condolences and prayers to your family.
GOD bless.
Harry Kemmerer
October 15, 2019
So sorry for your loss. Loved going to Casinos with him and your mom. Great guy.
Rick Park
October 15, 2019
Doc was a true friend. We were separated by decades in age, but i never felt that way when i was with him; I always felt like i had known him my entire life. I knew i could call him any time day or night and he would help, no matter what i needed. He taught me so much in the short few years i knew him. The last time i got to talk with him was two days before his passing. He was dropping off Pumpkins and chatting with my kids while oldies sang out from the radio in his pickup truck. As he drove off he honked the horn which played a silly tune, leaving the children with a smile on their faces. I will always be grateful for the time i shared with him. My sincerest condolences to the Handley family.
cookie otway
October 15, 2019
I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time for peace and comfort, please hold in your heart that your Father is at peace. with love, cookie
Barbara and Michael Rushton
October 15, 2019
Sorry for the loss of Dr. Handley. He was such a wonderful dentist and person and was so approachable that we felt like we knew him forever!
May he Rest In Peace and May God Bless your whole family and help you get through this difficult time.
October 14, 2019
John was my Dentist for 55 years, my friend for 75 years & one hell of a good guy for 80 years. RIP John, you have earned it!
Bill Hottenstein Sr.
Tammy Dzanko Everson
October 14, 2019
My thoughts and prayers are w/ all of you during this difficult time. I'll never forget being on the phone w Mike and him singing to me and asking me to come over and pick potatoes. He was a wonderful man!
Ken Sylva
October 14, 2019
The prayers of the men and women of the 341st Force Support Squadron, Malmstrom AFB Montana are with the entire family during this time of sorrow.
Tom Dogal
October 14, 2019
Doc, thanks for being a positive influence on my life during my teenage years and a setting an example of how to enjoy life and family.
I know you will be dearly missed by your family and all who knew you. You were truly one of the good guys!
Tom Dogal
Sister Jude Njeri
October 14, 2019
Lori, you do not know me but I have been thinking about you and praying for you. Your dad is at peace now.
Lori & Joseph Richard
October 14, 2019
Our sincerest condolences to entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
Carol Geiser-Cusano
October 14, 2019
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. My parents were long time patients of Dr. Handley's and considered him the Best dentist!
Jennifer Konopinski
October 14, 2019
We are so very sorry to hear of Doc's passing. He was a wonderful customer for the past several years and he will be deeply missed. May God be with you all during this very difficult time.
Patricia Benzi
October 14, 2019
So very sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family. May he Rest in Peace.
Jo Ann & Ray Krull
October 14, 2019
Dear Handley family, we were so sadden to hear of Docs passing! He was a great man in his work and family!! Lords peace be with all of u at this time! Ray and Jo Ann Krull Three Mile Bay NY.
Barbara Riegel
October 14, 2019
So sorry to hear of Doc's passing, a wonderful person. Heaven has gained a Great Dentist! Thoughts & prayers to the family.
Kim Nolan
October 14, 2019
I'm so sorry to hear about Dr. Hanley. He was a wonderful man, wonderful dentist. Please accept my condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hanley family.
October 14, 2019
To all of the Handley family,
I am saddened to hear of Doc's passing. He was truly a man who thought of others first and was always quick to jump into conversation anytime and any place we would run into each other. Please accept our condolences.
Dick, Kristin, Zachary, and Kaitlin Connolly
Dunedin, Fl
Dorothy & Jim Staffa
October 14, 2019
Joyce and family we are so sorry for your loss Doc was a wonderful
Friend we loved his crazy ways and his kind heart.
Jim and I remember our trip to New York many years ago.
Your family has been Blessed to have such a Good father and Husband.
We will keep you all in our prayers and we will all see him again in Heaven! May the Lord Bless you always.
Jim Sawchak
October 14, 2019
I'm sorry to hear that Dr Handley passed. He was a dentist first and cared more about his patients than money. When I needed braces, Dr Handley and my Pop worked out a deal where Pop painted all his offices and they called it a deal. That generosity continues in the Handley family.
The Swircek Family
October 14, 2019
Sincerest condolences from the Swircek family. I have wonderful memories of spending time with your family and I know how much my father values the friendship he had with Doc. Doc was the one who helped my mom the most when she was diagnosed with cancer when the treatment affected her teeth. Your family holds a special place in our hearts and always will.
Jayne McLaughlin
October 14, 2019
My dentist since the age of three.I'm soon to be 60. I remember he had a lava lamp in his waiting room, a rabbit with horns on the wall, I'll miss him. I'm so sad and sorry.
Rose Retzena / Zielen
October 13, 2019
I am so so sorry for your loss. Doc was such a great guy he will truly be missed . My thoughts and prayers are with all of you
Rose Retzena / Zielen
October 13, 2019
I am so so sorry for your loss. Doc was such a great guy he will truly be missed . My thoughts and prayers are with all of you
Al Horoszy
October 13, 2019
John and family,
My most profound sorrow for your father's passing. I am sure that you as a most respected Doctor will carry on the tradition of your family services.
Al Horoszy
Your most respectful patient
Brian & Pat Kelly
October 13, 2019
I knew the senior Dr. Handley as a patient but the senior Handleys always made me feel like I was the most important person in the world. Normally, we are not as affected by the doctors in life who take care of us. I was and my wife Pat was and even though we have great admiration for Dr. Handley Jr., as his father did for sure, I know I was always hoping he was in the office again helping here and there, especially on me as a patient. Pat and I are deeply saddened by his passing. There are few in life with the character and good ness of Dr. John J. Handley Sr. We are so pleased God gave us the pleasure of meeting him. We miss him already.
Len Medura
October 13, 2019
John Jr and Family: Heartfelt condolences to you all for the loss of John Sr. He was a really good guy and a fine dentist and I know he will be missed. We are out of town this week but please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Dr Len Medura
Edgar J Hartman
October 13, 2019
Eternal rest grant unto him,O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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