Joseph George Mehalick

Joseph George Mehalick, 92, of Hazle Township, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes Barre, following a one-year illness.

Born in Beaver Meadows, July 24, 1928, he was the son of the late John and Anna (Yuda) Mehalick and spent the past 20 years in Hazle Township, after moving from Sugarloaf.

Joseph was a 1946 graduate of Hazleton High School.  After graduation he joined the US Army where he served until 1950 and attained the rank of Corporal, serving in Germany with the Army Signal Corps in Radio and Radar Repair.  After his discharge he attended Penn State University, where he graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

He began his teaching career in 1956.  He was a Mechanical Drawing/Shop Teacher, and taught at Black Creek Township High School, Rock Glen Junior High School, and West Hazleton High School.  He retired in 1990 from the Hazleton Area School District.   He was a member of St. John Bosco RC Church, Sugarloaf.  He was a member of VFW Post #8161, Conyngham since 1951.  Joseph served the post in various positions including Commander from 1970-1973 and Adjutant from 1973 until recently.  He was also a volunteer driver for the Veteran's Administration, driving patients to and from the VA Hospital for appointments.

He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his wife, the former Emma Howanitz, who passed away March 16, 2019; a grandson Joseph Fellin; and a brother John Mehalick.

Surviving are three daughters Janet Fellin and her companion James Coles, Hazle Township; Judy Mehalick, Wyoming, PA; and Nancy Merrick and her husband Rick, Drums; eight grandchildren, James Fellin and his wife Marissa, Sarah D'Amato, Emily D'Amato, Olivia Carmona and her husband Israel; Laura D'Amato, Richard Merrick III, and Christina Merrick;  four great-grandchildren Valentino, Aaliyah, and Gianella Carmona, and Julianna Fellin; three sisters Rita Schoemaker and her husband Robert, Allentown; Annamarie Falatko, Allentown; and Theresa Scott, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 10:30 am from Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East) 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in St. John Bosco RC Church, 573 State Route 93, Sugarloaf.  Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.  Friends may call at the funeral home Saturday morning from 9:30 am until the time of the service.  COVID-19 restrictions on capacity, social distancing, and mask wearing will be enforced at all services. 

Memorial donations may be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital; or a Military Organization of your choice.  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 Joseph George Mehalick, please visit our floral store.