John J. Bielen

John J. Bielen, 94, a resident of Heritage Hill Senior Community, Weatherly, and a former resident of McAdoo, passed away Sunday.

He was the loving husband of Gertrude (Giner) Bielen, and they recently celebrated 73 years of marriage on Feb. 18.

John was born in Tresckow, on Nov. 25, 1928, the son of the late George and Anastasia (Pina) Bielen.

John attended St. Kunegunda Parochial School and graduated from McAdoo High School in 1946, where he excelled in sports, playing baseball, basketball and football. He was a member of the McAdoo High School 1945 Class B Basketball State Champion team.

John enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 and served with the U.S. Army of Occupation in Japan.

Upon returning home from his service overseas, John played for both the McAdoo Comets baseball and basketball teams.

John had a very strong work ethic, which he passed on to his two sons, always doing his best to provide for his family. He worked from an early age, starting with Cara's Ice House, Jere Woodring, Hazleton Brick Co., McAdoo Manufacturing, Kleen Dairy, Dairylea, Genetti's Supermarkets and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, retiring from there in 1989. In his retirement, he worked part-time for Campbell's Soup before starting a second career with the U.S. Post Office in Hazleton.

John was a member of All Saints Church, McAdoo, and a former member of St. Kunegunda Roman Catholic Church, McAdoo, where he was a member and officer of the Holy Name Society and served as an usher for many years. John was also a member of McAdoo VFW Post 6708, the McAdoo Prime Timers, the Greater Hazleton Area Polonaise Society as well as being a third-degree Knight of Columbus.

John was a die-hard sports fan, loving his Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies and Penn State Nittany Lions football, never missing a game on TV. He was a Penn State football season ticket-holder for many years and enjoyed going to games at Beaver Stadium.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by two sons, David Bielen and wife, Mary Ann, Hometown; and Gregg Bielen and wife, Cheryl, Centreville, Va.; grandchildren, Angela Meiss; Matthew Bielen and wife, Caitlin; Ashleigh Aviles and husband, Haziel; and Emily Bielen; great-granddaughter, Julia Meiss; sister, Mary Ann Mallets and husband, Andrew, McAdoo; as well as sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph and Edward Bielen.

A special thanks from the family to the staff at Heritage Hill, as well as Family Pillars Hospice for their wonderful care of John.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's name may be made to either All Saints Catholic Church, McAdoo, or Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua.

His funeral will be held Saturday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in All Saints Church, McAdoo.

Burial will follow in St. Kunegunda R.C. Cemetery, McAdoo.

Calling hours will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Damiano Funeral Home Inc., McAdoo, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be entered and information is available at www.damianof

hinc.com.