John J. McNelis

                 Mr. John J. McNelis, 92, loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, formerly of Plains

Township, Drexel Hill and Mountain Top, passed peacefully into Eternal Life early in the morning of Friday, September 5, 2025 while in the care of the Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Dallas.

                 Born on January 9, 1933 in Milford, Pennsylvania; John was the son of the late Francis and Mary (Dirner) McNelis. Following the family’s relocation to the Wyoming Valley, they settled in Wilkes-Barre.

                 He was educated in the city schools, having been a member of the 1951 graduating class of the

former G.A.R Memorial High School, Wilkes-Barre. John later furthered his education by attending Penn State, Lehman

campus.

                 On October 22, 2017 he bid farewell to his beloved wife, Shirley A. (Swartwood) McNelis. At the time of her passing, the couple shared sixty-two years of married life together. He was also preceded in death by brothers Robert and Francis McNelis.

                 Before retiring, Mr. McNelis served as Regional Sales Manager for Bell of Pennsylvania, Bell Atlantic in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, and Verizon in Philadelphia, completing thirty-one years of service.

                 Previously, he participated in the Mountain Top Lions Club; serving in multiple officer positions, including President. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and member of the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce; where he served on several key community development initiatives. Additionally, he was formerly a member of the Westmorland Club of Wilkes-Barre.

                 Devoted to his Roman Catholic faith, John was a former member of Saint Jude, Mountain Top, St. Andre Bessette and St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Churches, North Wilkes-Barre and a current member of Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Parish, Plains Township.

                 In his spare time, he enjoyed model railroading, learning about history and was an avid reader.  He and Shirley enjoyed vacationing in Williamsburg, Virginia and Niagara on the Lake, Canada.  They also enjoyed traveling to Ireland, where they had lifelong friends that they met through the King’s College International Studies Exchange programs.

                 He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. Known as Pop to most, John would spend hours telling his many stories to his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren (and anyone else who would listen). He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

                 Left to cherish all the wonderful memories they keep of him are his sons; Patrick McNelis and his wife Danette of Venice, Florida; Michael McNelis and his wife Donna of Larksville and Kevin McNelis and his wife Renee of Mansfield, Texas. Grandchildren, Matthew, Brian, Amy, Jonathan and Ian McNelis and sisters-in-law Maria McNelis, St. Cloud Florida, Constance Swartwood, Arlington Texas and brother-in-law Eugene J. Swartwood, Wilkes-Barre; Several nieces, nephews and dear friends.

                 John’s family would like to thank the caregivers at the Meadows for their support and compassion extended to him during his time spent in their care.

                 Funeral services for Mr. McNelis will be conducted on Monday, September 15 at 8:45 a.m. from

the John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc., 625 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, followed by his funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. in Bernardine Hall of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, 13 Hudson Road, Plains Township.

                 Reverend Monsingor John J. Sempa, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, West Pittston, and personal family friend, will serve as celebrant and homilist.

                 Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Saint Mary’s Diocesan Cemetery, 1594 South Main Street, Hanover Township.

                 Relatives and friends may join the McNelis family for visitation and shared remembrances Sunday, September 14th at the funeral home from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Those wishing to share online words of comfort or a fond memory of John with his family are encouraged to do so by visiting his memorial page at www.JohnVMorrisFuneralHome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John J. McNelis, please visit our floral store.