John Stopay

John L. Stopay, 86, passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2025, with his loving family by his side.

He was born Feb. 6, 1939, and raised in the Hilldale section of Plains Township, son of the late John and Eva (Zeltosky) Stopay, and moved to Mechanicsburg five years ago to be closer to his family.

John graduated from Plains High School in 1956 and attended King's College. He then enlisted in the Army and spent three years in Germany working radio communications. He returned home in October of 1963 and met Mary Ann Mariucci, who became his best friend and love for the rest of his life. They married on Feb. 13, 1965, and spent 60 wonderful years together. In 1968, they welcomed their only child, a daughter, Lynn-Dee, and they all spent the years making beautiful memories together.

He worked for Sordoni Construction and later for Metropolitan Wire; in addition, he made candy with Mary Ann and his parents, who started Jon L. Stopay Candies in 1946. As the business began to prosper, this turned into a full-time career for John and the entire Stopay Family. He and Mary Ann worked side by side together until they sold the business in 2012. Throughout the years, they had so many wonderful and special employees who John considered to be part of his extended family.

In 2006, John's life changed when he became a Papa to his only grandchild, Kayla Bender. The two were exceptionally close; they shared many special moments together, and she adored him. Next to his family, John enjoyed landscaping and spending time at Lake Wallenpaupack; he and Mary Ann spent 55 wonderful years there with many special friends. John was a member of St. Frances X. Cabrini Church, Wyoming, was a former member of the Plains Lions Club, Hilldale Sportsman's Club, and a lifetime member of the ITLO Club in Hilldale.

John was preceded in death by his parents and Mary Ann's parents, Lindy and Josephine Mariucci.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann; daughter; Lynn-Dee Bender; son-in-law, Jerry; and granddaughter, Kayla. He had no siblings, but the love he had for his sister-in-law, Jeanette Starbuck, and brother-in-law, Dave Mariucci, was as strong as any blood relative. He had many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews and his dog, Russell.

The family would like to give a special thanks to his caregivers, Mary from Bright Star and Teena and Deletha from Hospice for All Seasons.

A funeral will be held at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, from Corcoran Funeral Home Inc., 20 S. Main St., Plains Township, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Frances X. Cabrini Church, 585 Mt. Olivet Road, Wyoming, with Father Joseph Pisaneschi, pastor, officiating. Interment with military honors accorded by the United States Army will be held in the Italian Independent Cemetery, West Wyoming. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Donations in John's honor can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org; Hospice for All Seasons, 280 S. Hill Drive, Grantville, PA 17028; or the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 E. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

For information or to leave John's family a message of condolence, please visit www.corcoranfuneralhome.com.