Mar 12, 2014

Retired coal miner active in community

John E. “Jack” Kocerka Jr., 88, of Bobtown, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2014, in his home.

He was born August 28, 1925, in Heckla, a son of John and Nellie Popernack Kocerka.

Mr. Kocerka was a retired coal miner, having worked for J&L Steel Corp. Shannopin Mine of Bobtown. He was a member and treasurer of United Mine Workers of America Local 6159 and a member of Saint Ignatius Roman Catholic Church of Bobtown, where he was a member and secretary-treasurer of Holy Name Society and also served on the parish counsel. He was also a third degree member of Knights of Columbus Council 3569 of Carmichaels, served as treasurer of the Bobtown-Dunkard Municipal Authority and was president of Bobtown Senior Citizens.

Surviving are his wife, Helen Tencer Kocerka, with whom he would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary October 15; three daughters, Janet Kocerka of Bobtown, and Carol Kocerka and Barbara VanHorn, both of Gilbert, Ariz.; three sons, Ed Kocerka and wife Nina of Greensboro, Jack Kocerka and wife Heidi of St. Augustine, Fla., and Michael Kocerka and wife Rachel of Bobtown; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, George Kocerka of Palm Harbor, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are four sisters, Margaret Mozel, Helen Skvarch, Elizabeth Kendralla and Mary Kocerka, and a brother, Andrew Kocerka.

Friends will be received from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday in Louis E. Rudolph Funeral Home, 15 Main Street, Point Marion, Thomas B. Rudolph, funeral director and supervisor. Additional visitation will be held until 10:30 a.m., when brief prayers will be said, Saturday, March 15, in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Saint Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, Bobtown, with the Rev. Fr. Lawrence V. Holpp as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park, Point Marion. Parish vigil service will be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.