Jean Vecolitis

Jean Vecolitis

Jean Vecolitis, 81, of Naples, Florida and Hometown, died on Monday, July 14, 2025, in Coaldale surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of John Vecolitis with whom she celebrated 58 years of marriage.

Born in Shenandoah, Jean was a daughter of the late John, Sr. and Julia (Homza) Chowansky.

She was a 1961 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School and was employed by Air Products and Chemicals as a professional assistant from which she retired in 2003.

Jean loved to spend time with her family and especially watching her grandchildren play at sporting events. Her and her husband John enjoyed their retirement years in Florida and many years of traveling both domestically and internationally. Jean and her husband enjoyed dinners and socializing with family and friends in both Florida and Pennsylvania.

She was a member of St. John XXIII Catholic Church in Tamaqua and St. Richard's Catholic Church in Barnesville. Jean was active for many years with both Air Product's United Way campaigns and the company's activities committee.

Jean is survived by her husband, John; one daughter, Christine Behm and her husband Philip of Lake Wynonah; one son, Anthony and his wife Linda of Lake Hauto; four grandchildren, Stephen Kupetz and his wife Liz of Ephrata, Nicholas Behm of Lake Wynonah, Ryan Vecolitis and his fiancée Ashlyn Houser of Lake Hauto, and Matthew Vecolitis of Lake Hauto; one brother, John Chowansky, Jr. and his wife Martha of Frackville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant daughter, Annmarie.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua. Interment in Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown will follow. Call 9:30-11 AM in the church. Memorial donations in Jean's name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.