Joseph "Parker" Podskoch

SWOYERSVILLE — Joseph "Parker" Podskoch, 83, a lifelong resident of Swoyersville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, July 15, 2015, at St. Luke's Villa, Wilkes-Barre, where he was a guest for the past three weeks. His beloved wife is Barbara A. (Hudak) Podskoch. Joe and Barbara celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on Jan. 3.

Born on Aug. 28, 1931, in Swoyersville, Joseph was a son of the late Stephen J. Podskoch Jr. and Elizabeth (Horvath) Podskoch.

Joe was a graduate of the former Swoyersville High School, class of 1948. Following high school, he went on to attend King's College, Wilkes-Barre.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Joe honorably served his country for two years during the Korean War, serving the majority of his enlisted time aboard the USS Robert L. Wilson.

Prior to retirement, Joe was employed as salesman for many years.

An accomplished accordionist and entertainer, Joe had a great love and appreciation for music. Throughout his years, he played for countless weddings, parties, events and, most notably, for many celebrities.

A faithful Catholic, Joe was a lifelong member of the former Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Swoyersville. Following the consolidation of his church, he became a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Parish, Swoyersville.

Joe enjoyed watching sports and especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events and activities. He also had a great love for the ocean and an interest in politics, which he loved to discuss with others.

In addition to his parents, Stephen and Elizabeth Podskoch, Joe was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond A. Podskoch.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, Joe is survived by his devoted children, Theresa Schaeffer and her husband, Bill, Swoyersville, Bill Podskoch, Swoyersville, Barbara Jo Asklar and her husband, Robert, Swoyersville, Michael Podskoch and his wife, Lynette, Dallas, Joseph Podskoch Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, Swoyersville, and Susan Podskoch, Kingston; his grandchildren, Bobby Asklar Jr. and his fiancee, Megan Herlihy, Michael Podskoch Jr., Jessica Podskoch, Rebecca Podskoch and Alyssa Podskoch; his nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. Saturday from the Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes St., Swoyersville, with the Rev. Richard J. Cirba, family friend, officiating. Interment with the rite of committal will follow in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville. Family and friends are invited to call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and again from 8:30 a.m. until the time of services Saturday at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send the Podskoch family an online message of condolence, visit the funeral home's website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joe's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.