Ralph Okonieski, 88, of Pond Hill passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at Smith Health Care, Ltd., Mountain Top.
Born in Pond Hill, PA on June 3, 1927, he was one of 11 children of the late Stanley and Mary Martha (Papciak) Okonieski. He was a graduate of the Nescopeck High School Class of 1945 and served in the US Army during WWII. He worked at the Berwick Creamery and Metropolitan Insurance Company for many years. He was also the co-owner of Okonieski Brothers Grocery Store in Pond Hill for 40 years.
He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 64 years, Marion “Jane” (Rupp) Okonieski; son, Ralph E. Okonieski, and wife Deborah, Ohio; daughter, Mary Lewis, Pond Hill; grandchildren, Jennifer, Clifton, Sarah, Valerie, Brandon, and Lauren; 7 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and siblings, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Estella Rupp; and brother-in-law, Richard Rupp.
funeral service will be held at 12:30 PM on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at Heller Funeral Home, LLC, 633 East Third Street, Nescopeck, with Rev. Debra North and Rev. Paul Brace officiating. Entombment will follow in Elan Memorial Park, Bloomsburg. Friends may call on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to The Clifton R. Lewis Good Life Foundation, 12480 S. 176th Ave., Goodyear, AZ, 85338. Donations can also be made on it’s website at crlgoodlife.org.
Ralph’s family would like to thank Mary Bielman and her staff at Smith Health Care for their care, kindness, and compassion during Ralph’s stay there, and also a heartfelt thanks to Heartland Hospice for their loving care.
Online messages of comfort can be sent to condolences@hellerfuneral.com