John C. Sobeck

1943 - 2024

WEST WYOMING — John C. Sobeck, 81, of West Wyoming, peacefully passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Born in Luzerne, on June 30, 1943, he was the eldest son of the late George S. Sobeck, Jr. and Edith Belcher Sobeck. John graduated from Luzerne High School, Class of 1961. Upon graduation, John immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served his country on the USS St. Clair County (LST-1096). John successfully obtained a classification rank of ETN3 (E-4), and received an honorable discharge as an electronics technician from the US Naval Station, Long Beach, Calif.

John worked effortlessly to support his growing family. Relative to his naval training, John was employed by the Tobyhanna Depot and Bendix Corporation, where he tested, maintained and modified GPS electronics and weapons guidance systems; including the GYROSCOPE for the NASA Space Shuttles.

As Bendix closed their doors, John expanded his horizons into construction, where he became a union carpenter under the tutelage of his brother-in-law, Leon Chmura, working for Ridge Homes. To further advance his construction inspirations, John entered into a business opportunity with his partner, Maurice Lindquist, to form Sobeck & Lindquist — General Contractors. He was a master carpenter accomplished with building 100+ homes, and establishing the Back Mountain residential communities: Sherwood Forest and Sutton Hills. For this achievement, he earned the "BALA Awards: Best Home in Mid-Atlantic and Best Eastern Living Award." After an award winning career inthe home building industry, in the 1970's John purchased Ruggle's Lumber Company, in Luzerne.

He established LBJ Construction, then joined with First General Services of NEPA in 1982, quickly becoming the largest member of the fire and water damage repair industry on the East Coast. Although John was already one of the leading national contractors in the fire and water damage repair industry, that did not quench his desire to become even more successful. He later seized on the opportunity to expand his business with the purchase of the parent company, 1st General Services of North America.

John was an involved member of the following clubs: 32nd Degree Masons, George M. Dallas – Lodge No. 531, Dallas, Pa.; Kiwanis – Dallas Rotary Luzerne County Fair; Irem Shriner's – Irem Temple Country Club & Golf Association, and Fox Hill Country Club.

John also loved the ocean. In May 2000, he proudly obtained his U.S. Merchant Marine officer certification as "Captain John." He was an avid fisherman, as well as a Corvette and Austin Healy enthusiast.

John and his family were involved in numerous philanthropical endeavors, including an annual golf tournament benefiting the Luzerne Foundation, Penn State Endowed Scholarship, American Red Cross, United Cerebral Palsy Foundation and the John C. and Barbara E. Sobeck Charitable Trust. John has been a champion for honesty, integrity, service, quality, teamwork and for FAMILY!

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a brother, George S. Sobeck III; and a grandson, Edward M. Sobeck.

Surviving are his wife of 33 years, the former Barbara Evans; six children: Chris Sobeck (Terry Tyson), Lake Wynonah; Mike Sobeck (Barb), Wilkes-Barre; Jackie (Ed Brighthaupt), Dallas; Johnny Sobeck, Wilkes-Barre; Paul Sobeck, Wilkes-Barre; Jeremy Sobeck, Plains; five grandchildren: Erin Herbert, Theresa Watson, Joanna Sobeck, Edward Brighthaupt III, and Brinley Sobeck; two great-grandchildren: Thurston and Zoey Herbert; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, whom he adored. John is also survived by his sister: Suellen Kravulski; and sister-in-law: Geraldine Sobeck. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday from Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home Inc., 140 N. Main St., Shavertown. The Rev. Jack Munley will serve as officiant. Interment with military honors will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Courtdale. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, or from 9:30 a.m. until time of service on the day of funeral. 

Memorial donations may be made to ALDF — American Lyme Disease Foundation (www.aldf.com)