John Krchelich

John Krchelich, 89, of Clearfield, went peacefully to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, June 26. He was a guest at Knickerbocker Villa.

A son of the late John and Barbara (Bocak) Krchelich, he was born on December 28, 1921 in Williamsburg. He graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1939 and entered the US Army, where he served in Europe during World War II through 1945.

On December 27, 1949, he married Carmela Pozzi at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williamsburg. They celebrated 61 years together in December.
Also surviving are children David and his companion Mona Sen of Schenevus, NY, Mark of Clearfield, Barbara Collar of Clearfield, and Angela McKnight and her husband David of Philipsburg; nine grandchildren, Kelly Karwowski, John Krchelich, Mary Krchelich, Matthew Moore, Andrew Moore, Philip Moore, Jacinta Collar, Danielle McKnight, and Aaron McKnight, and one great-grandchild, Laila Moore.

He was the last surviving member of his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Olga Mumich and Helen Chico, and brother Nick.

For 43 years, he worked for the Pennsylvania, Penn Central and Conrail railroads, retiring as a general foreman on December 30, 1983. Following his retirement, he worked for Butler Trucking Company in Woodland, and volunteered as a small business counselor with the Central Pennsylvania Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) for many years.

He was a devoted member of Saint Francis Catholic Church, where he served as a longtime usher and greeter.

An active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he was a charter member of Williamsburg Post 6086. He also belonged to the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post #6, and was a life member of Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge #540. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he belonged to the Old Town Sportsmen Association for many years.

In 1993, he was honored by the Clearfield Chamber of Commerce for his years of service on the YMCA Board of Directors with the Helen Rush Kurtz Award and served as president of Clearfield County United Way in 2001.

Mass of Christian Burial will be said at St. Francis Catholic Church, Clearfield on Wednesday at 10 AM with Msgr. H. Desmond McGee, Jr. as celebrant. Committal services and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Williamsburg on Wednesday at 2:30 PM.

Military honors will be accorded at the church by the members of the Clearfield American Legion and VFW Posts’ Honor Guard.

Friends will be received at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield on Tuesday from 6-8 PM and on Wednesday from 9-9:30 AM. A Christian Vigil Service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 5:45 PM.

The family suggests memorial contributions can be made to St Francis Educational Endowment Fund, 212 South Second Street, Clearfield or to the Clearfield Foundation for Health-Hospice, PO Box 992, Clearfield.