Obituaries

John Eastman, Jr., 89, of Scranton, died Thursday morning at home. He is survived by his beloved wife and caregiver, Pauline Sokira Eastman. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on October 25th this year. Born in Scranton on May 1, 1923, son of the late John, Sr., and Anna Korea Eastman, and was educated in Scranton Schools. A proud Army Veteran of WWII, member of the Lincoln Heights American Legion, Post #920. John worked as Plant Manager for Crystal Soda Water Company Scranton where he served in various capacities for 64 years, prior to his retirement. He was a devoted Byzantine Catholic and active member of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Scranton and its Holy Name Society serving as an usher or in any position needed between the church and St. Mary’s Parish Center. He was an original founding member of the Antique Car Association of Scranton where he proudly displayed his 1929 Model A Ford which he rebuilt. He enjoyed wine making, growing tomatoes and cucumbers from seeds, golfing and watching all sports on TV. A loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his four children, John M. Eastman and wife Karen, Gouldsboro, Debra E Generotti and husband Elmer, Plantation, Florida, Pauline D. Geiger and husband Richard, Clarks Summit, and James R. Eastman with Luanne, Scranton; daughter in law Terri Eastman and companion Keith; three sisters, Margaret Herbst of Bakersfield, CA, Veronica Evans and husband John, Lakeland, FL, and Cathy Adams and husband Kirk, Friendsville; eleven grandchildren; two great grandsons; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Also preceding in death was a brother Joseph Eastman; four sisters Anne Olinski, Mary McKenna, Betty McHugh and Irene Sekerke.
His family would like to acknowledge the staff of Home Health Care Professionals Hospice and Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging for the excellent care and support they had given to John.
Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, to begin with a 9:00AM Panahida Services at the Kearney Funeral Home, 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton, with a 10:00AM Funeral Liturgy at St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 310 Mifflin Avenue, Scranton, to be celebrated by Rev. Leonard Martin, S.J., Pastor. Interment with full military rites by the AMVETS Honor Guard will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Monday between 5:00-8:00PM at the funeral home. Parastas will be held at 4:30PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to his church, St. Mary’s, 310 Mifflin Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503.