Joseph L. Yakabovicz

          Mr. Joseph L. Yakabovicz, 81, formerly of Swoyersville and the North End section of Wilkes-Barre, passed into Eternal Life Thursday, May 23, 2019 at his residence in Tarpon Springs, Florida following a recent and valiant battle with cancer.

     Born March 18, 1939 in Swoyersville, he was a son to the late Walter and Helen (Chergoski) Yakabovicz and attended the Swoyersville schools.

     Following his formal education, Mr. Yakabovicz proudly served our country with the United States Marine Corps from 1955 until 1960.  His tours of duty included stations in Beirut, Okinawa, Japan, Korea and Hawaii.  He earned the rank of Corporal at the time of his Honorable Discharge from military duties on November 18, 1960.

     He began his career as a tool and dye operator with the former Kinney Manufacturing Company.  Later in life, and having earned his commercial drivers license for flammable materials, he worked for the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) , later the Sun Oil Company, (SUNOCO) of Edwardsville as a transportation specialist.

     He formerly held membership in the American Legion and while residing in Florida, worshipped at the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Tarpon Springs.

     In his spare time, living in Wyoming Valley, Mr. Yakabovicz enjoyed his many fishing trips, especially to the family's cabin in Laceyville and to Lake Oneida, Canada with his late grandson, Eric. He also previously served as president of the Northeast Junior Crusaders Football League.

     He was preceded in death by his former spouse, Andrea Evans Yakabovicz in 2015; brother-in-law, Mr. Robert Capeace; Sister-in-Law, Mrs. Sharon Yakabovicz and sadly most recently, by his grandson, Mr. Eric Joseph Yakabovicz on October 24, 2018.

     Left to cherish his memory are his sons and their families; Joseph Yakabovicz Jr. of Egg Harbor, NJ; Leonard Yakabovicz and his companion, Tammy Chapin of Benton; Eugene "Whitey" Yakabovicz and his wife, Angela of North Wilkes-Barre; Seven Grandchildren; Three Great-Grandchildren; Brother, Walter "Butch" Yakabovicz of Swoyersville; Sister, Theresa Sabol and her husband Nick of Hanover Township; Sister-in-law, Ann Marie Ushing of Plains Township; His companion in Florida, Jean Sibilia; Many nieces, nephews, neighbors and dear friends.

     Memorial Funeral Services for Mr. Yakabovicz will be conducted on Friday, June 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish of Saint Andre Bessette, 668 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.   The Reverend Michael J. Kloton, pastor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Freeland and Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Parish, White Haven serving as celebrant and homilist.

     Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, 4115 Memorial Highway, Dallas, PA 18612.

     Relatives and friends are invited to share with Mr. Yakabovicz's family time of visitation and remembrances Thursday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the North Wilkes-Barre location of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 625 North Main Street; and on Friday directly at church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

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