John F. "Skeeter" Rutch

John F. 'Skeeter' Rutch

John F. "Skeeter" Rutch, 92, of Summit Hill, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in the St. Luke's Hospice, Bethlehem. He was the husband of the late Mary (Ginda) Rutch, who passed away on Oct. 18, 2014.

Born in Summit Hill, he was the son of the late John and Martha (Lisella) Rutch.

He was a graduate of Summit Hill High School, Class of 1950.

John worked for Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, as a United Auto Workers Union Steward from 1964 until retiring in 1987. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1953-1954.

John was a member of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley, Summit Hill.

He served on the Summit Hill Borough Council that had established the Bill Black Memorial Park on Holland Street and also served as a former past president of the Coaldale-Lansford-Summit Hill Joint Sewer Authority.

John was a former CYO basketball coach at St. Mary's Parochial School, Coaldale.

In 2016, he served as the Grand Marshal for the Summit Hill Memorial Day Parade.

He was an avid Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan from the young age of 10.

Surviving are his children, John Rutch, and his wife, Donna, of Coppell, TX, Greg Rutch, and his wife, Lisa, of Highland Village, TX, Nancy Kunzweiler of Crystal River, FL, and Maria Szczecina, and her husband, Jeff, with whom he resided in Summit Hill; grandchildren, Brad Kunzweiler and Kerry, Jake Szczecina and Olivia, Aaron Rutch and Hannah, Tara and Joe Pickard, John Peter Rutch and Cooper Hukill; great-grandchildren, Will, Ethan, Joshua and Mason; brother, Frank "Futch" Rutch, and his wife, Jeannie, of Hometown; a sister, Martha Jane Rita, and her husband, John, of Hershey; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Louise Frassinelli.

Service: Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley, 462 W. Ludlow St., Summit Hill, with the Rev. Eric Gruber officiating. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, White Bear, Summit Hill. Calling hours will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday and 10-11 a.m. Thursday in the church. Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Luke's Hospice or to the church. Funeral arrangements have been placed in the care of the Parambo Funeral Home, Summit Hill. Online condolences may be shared at www.parambofh.com.