Joseph T. Chesla

     Mr. Joseph T. Chesla, 72, a resident of West Nanticoke, formerly of Nanticoke, passed peacefully into Eternal Life late Wednesday evening while in the care of Guardian Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Newport Township.

     Born on Saturday, June 18, 1949 in Nanticoke, he was one of four children to the late Stanley and Louise (Layman) Chesla and was educated in the Nanticoke schools, graduating in 1968 from the former Nanticoke High School.

     Following his formal education, Mr. Chesla served with the United States Army during the Viet Nam War, being honorably discharged from military duties on May 5, 1975 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

     Until his retirement, Joe was employed as a fork lift operator for the Certain Teed Corporation in Mountain Top for thirty-six years.

     Prior to that, he was employed as a coal miner for Biscontini, later Blue Coal Company of Ashley and the Forge Mine in Nanticoke.

     Fraternally, Mr. Chesla held membership in the Blue Lodge of the Masonic Order, #655 of Wilkes-Barre.

     He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Ann Marie (Pollock) Chesla in 2000 and by a brother, Stanley Chesla.  At the time of Mrs. Chesla’s passing, the couple shared fifteen years of married life together.

     Left to cherish his memory are his companion of twelve years, Anita Ogin of Wapwallopen; Sons, Joseph Jr.; Jason (Jay), both of Ashley; Jeremy of Hazleton; Daughter, Justine Richmond and her husband John of Mountain Top.  Six Grandchildren; Two Great-Grandchildren; Sisters, Rose Marie Rokitko and Annette Chesla, both of Wilkes-Barre; numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

     Funeral services for Mr. Chesla will be conducted on Monday with his funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. in All Saints Parish, 66 Willow Street, Plymouth.  The Reverend James J. Alco will serve as celebrant and homilist.  Those attending services are asked to assemble directly at church by 9:15 a.m.

     Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Cathedral Diocesan Cemetery, 1708 Oram Street, Scranton where military honors will be accorded by the United States Army.

     Relatives and friends may join the Chesla family for visitation and shared remembrances Sunday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc., 625 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.

     In lieu of floral tributes, memorial donations in Mr. Chesla's memory would be greatly appreciated for the Shriner’s Children's Hospital, 3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140.

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