Michael James Kerestus Jr.

1951 - 2021

Michael James Kerestus Jr., 70, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, at the home of his daughter.

Mike was born July 10, 1951, at Locust Mountain Hospital, Shenandoah Heights. Originally from Robinson's Patch, Michael soon moved to Mahanoy City, where he lived the rest of his life.

A 1969 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School, Mike worked for Eastern Diversified Metals, Hometown; Zapata Industries, Frackville; and Honeywell, Pottsville, from which he retired.

Michael married the love of his life, Peggy Pringle, in 1972 and were married 47 years, until her untimely passing in 2019. Together, they raised four children of their own, along with countless neighborhood children, who always felt welcome to come by day or night.

Mike was an avid outdoorsman and was always willing to take any children fishing, shooting and hiking the hills around Mahanoy City, sharing his love of nature. From his youngest days, Michael was always striving to improve his skills at hunting, fishing, trapping, archery and knowing the best places to gather berries and mushrooms. He was truly a mountain man.

In addition to his wife, Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Margaret (Wilson) Kerestus Sr.; beloved granddaughter, Jazmyn Hauck.

Mike is survived by his children, James and Estelle, Minersville, Karrie, New Ringgold, Kathy and John Watkins, Bear Creek, Joel, Mahanoy City; brothers, Kenneth and Pauline, Schnecksville, and Kevin and Lisa, McAdoo. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Kaylee, Paige, Cameron, Allison, John and Mason.

Interment services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4, in Sky-View Cemetery, Hometown. Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Mahanoy City, is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and send sympathy cards.