John Kuchmanich

John Kuchmanich, 86, of Clinton Township, Waymart died Sunday morning, August 30, 2026 at home. His wife, the former Pamela Sue Thomas, survives him.

Born May 21, 1940 in Jessup, he was the son of the late John and Helen (Naholnik) Kuchmanich.

John's parents were from Lackawanna County, and his father, who was the son of a coal miner, desired a better life for his children. He moved the family to Detroit, Michigan where he found employment in the automotive industry. As a result, John was raised in Detroit, and also worked for an automotive company for many years.

From 1962 to 1964, John served as an infantryman of the 54th Infantry in the United States Army. He was trained at Indiantown Gap, and Camp Perry in Ohio; his main base was Fort Knox, Kentucky. Following his honorable discharge, he later served in the Army Reserves for an additional six years.

John was a faithful member of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Church. He was devoted to the monastery, and following his retirement and relocating back to the Waymart area, John enjoyed spending his free time at the monastery, helping in various ways. He was a friendly and familiar face to many people who visited the monastery through the years. May his memory be eternal!

He is survived by four children: Bonnie Holzerland, Barbara (Aaron) Campos, Kimberly Holman, and Joseph Kuchmanich; a sister, Elaine Pendrick; and six grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Gregory Kuchmanich in 1995.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 10:30 AM in St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery Church, 175 St. Tikhon's Road, Waymart, PA.

A Pannikhida service will be on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM in St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery Church.

Interment with military honors will be on Friday in St. Tikhon's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to St. Tikhon's Monastery, 175 St. Tikhon's Road, Waymart, PA 18472.

Arrangements are entrusted to Howell Family Funeral Home, Inc., Edward R. Howell, Funeral Director, 269 Belmont Street, Waymart, PA 18472. www.HowellFamilyFuneralHome.com