Paul E. Kowalczyk

Paul E. Kowalczyk, 76, of Hazleton, passed away Sunday evening in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital with his family at his side.

He was born in Batavia, N.Y., son of the late Julian and Lorraine (Smith) Kowalczyk.

Paul was an active member of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church where he was past president of the church council and served as trustee for many years.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was discharged in 1976 with the rank of specialist 5th class.

Prior to retiring he was employed at PPL as an electrical engineer and last worked at CSS. He was a member of Orphan Grain Train and a volunteer at CSS.

He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his sister, Colleen Unger; and a granddaughter, Jenna Weiss.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Ann Kowalczyk; the following children, Krista Mashack and her husband, Christian, Las Vegas, Nev.; Kevin Kowalczyk, Hazleton; Kelly Weiss and her husband, Brandon, Woodbridge, Va.; three grandchildren, Emma Mashack, Charlotte and Gregory Weiss; the following brother and sisters, Linda Baxter, Oakfield, N.Y.; Eillen Kirkpatrick and her husband, Paul, Oakfield, N.Y.; Julie Ann Slattery and her husband, Dennis, Vestel, N.Y.; Michael Kowalczyk and his wife, Donna, Oakfield, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6th & Vine St., Hazleton, with the Rev. Gordan Naumann officiating. Interment to follow. Friends and relatives may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul's memory may be made to St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Maryland Orphan Grain Train or Lutheran Church Charities, Northbrook, Ill., would be appreciated by the family.