John Douglas Bigatel

John Douglas Bigatel, 72, of Hazleton, passed away Thursday afternoon, January 15, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton, following a sudden illness.

Born in Allentown, February 28, 1953, he was the son of the late John D. and June D. (Hertzog) Bigatel and spent the past 38 years in Hazleton, after moving from Allentown.

John was a 1971 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School and a 1975 graduate of Penn State University where he received his bachelor's in engineering. After graduation he was employed as an engineer for Ship and Shore, W. Hazleton. In 1988 he became owner and operator of In Vogue Apparel, W. Hazleton until its closing in 2002. Most recently he was a project manager for High Mountain Hardware, McAdoo until his retirement last year. He attended Our Lady of Peace Parish at Our Lady of Grace Church, Hazleton.

John was a huge Penn State football fan and enjoyed taking his family to see the Nittany Lions play. He loved sports of all types and was an exceptional golfer in his younger years. He also was an avid card collector. Anyone who knew John knew he enjoyed life on his own terms. Above all, he was a devoted, hardworking man who loved his family.

Surviving are his loving wife, the former Nancy Ruggiero to whom he was married on October 3, 1980; seven children, Adrienne Lonczynski and husband Tom, Drums; John Bigatel and wife Sarah, Frederick, MD; Joseph Bigatel and husband Jake Romero, Harveys Lake; Michael Bigatel and wife Caitlyn, Drums; Angela Geusic and husband Josh, Palmerton; Daniel Bigatel and wife Shauna, Allentown; and Gabriel Bigatel and wife Samantha, Washington Twp, NJ; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Joel and Tom Bigatel; three sisters, Anita Folino, Veronica Elias, Christina Durback and their spouses; and many nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be celebrated with a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 10 AM in Our Lady of Peace Parish at Our Lady of Grace Church, 750 N Vine St, Hazleton. Interment will follow in Calvary RC Cemetery, Drums. Friends may call at the church from 9 AM until the time of the Mass.

Memorial donations may be made to Northeast Counseling Services, 663 E Main St, Nanticoke, PA 18634. Online condolences can be entered, and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

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