John Paul Pavelchak

John Paul Pavelchak, 78, of Forest City passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the Gino Merli Veterans Care Center in Scranton where he had been a resident for the past 5 years.  Prior to that, he resided at the Forest City Nursing Home.

Born in Carbondale, John was the son of the late John and Helen Lenio Pavelchak.  He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Forest City until its closing and later Ascension Parish. He graduated from Forest City High School in 1965. John enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 and eventually was sent to Vietnam.  He returned home and was employed at IBM Corporation in Endicott, NY.  He retired from there after 28 years and returned to Forest City to reside, taking employment at Jerry's Sports Center in Vandling until his retirement.  John enjoyed music, traveling cross country by train, meeting with his fellow veterans, and spending time with his friends.

John is survived by several cousins: Barbara Slakoper,Valerie Sudick, Darice Eppinler, Paula Strous, Karen Surace, Ann Sienna, and Diane Terpak; and many good friends, especially Diane Femc.

The funeral will be Saturday May 16th with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 am in St. Joseph’s Church, Delaware Street, Forest City.  Interment with military honors will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Forest City.  Friends may call at the church from 9 am until mass time.  Arrangements by the Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 403 Main Street, Forest City.

Memorial donations may be made to Gino Merli Center, 401 Penn Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503 or a charity of your choice.

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