William Sedesse

1921 - 2020

William Sedesse, 99, formerly of Lykens, died Dec. 31, 2020, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. For the last four years, he was a resident of Heritage Mills, Tower City.

He was born Nov. 24, 1921, in Lykens, to Russian immigrants, the late Mikita and Polusia Retzendychen.

He attended Wiconisco schools, went on to work in several coal mines, eventually retiring from TRW in Harrisburg after 35 years. He was a staunch believer in displaying and honoring the flag.

Upon retiring, he developed a coal museum in his garage to the point that he had school tours visit and it was enjoyed by hundreds. He had many articles regarding his coal museum published in local newspapers and he was seen on Channel 16 TV and WGAL TV.

Many of his coal artifacts can be enjoyed in the Lykens Train Station today.

On July 18, 1941, he married the late Anna Depsky, of Minersville. They attended Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Lykens, and were married for 75 years.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, William Sedesse Jr., and 12 brothers and sisters.

William is survived by his daughter, Arleen Stank and her fiance, Robert Kern, of Coal Township; grandsons, Adam Stank and his companion, Heather, of Mount Carmel, Kevin Stank and his wife, Sheila, of Bethlehem; granddaughters, Shelley Bittle and her husband, Harry, of Duncannon, Tami Bell and her husband, Todd, of Halifax; five great-grandchildren, Amanda and Christian Bell, Ty Grosser and Corey and Kristopher Stank; two great-great-grandchildren, John and Jackson.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at Minnich Family Funeral Homes Inc., Williamstown. All CDC guidelines will be followed, and masks required. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Lykens, for the family, with burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Wiconisco. The family requests that memorial donations may be made to the church at 732 Main St., Lykens, PA 17048. Minnich Family Funeral Homes Inc. (the former John R. Shultz Funeral Home, Lykens) is handling the arrangements. To sign the guest book, go to www.minnichfuneral.com.