John Hnatishin, 103, of Whitehall and formally of Bethlehem, died Aug. 13, 2024. He was the husband of Catherine “Kitty” Hnatishin for 67 years.

Born in St. Clair, he was the son of the late Anna (Kostrey) and Michael Hnatishin.

He graduated from St. Clair High School in 1938. He attended Bethlehem Technical School.

With the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving on the destroyer USS Capps.

He worked at Bethlehem Steel’s No. 2 machine shop. After the war, he returned to Bethlehem Steel, where he worked for nearly a decade before transitioning to the Bethlehem Post Office, before retiring in 1986. He played one year of professional baseball with South Bend in St. Clair.

He was a lifetime member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the American Legion.

He was an active member of Notre Dame Church, Bethlehem, and served on the church building committee and helped fund the construction of the church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Sandra Hoenl and husband Thomas of Whitehall, with whom he lived for the last 12 years; a son, John and wife Michele of Poulsbo, Wash.; five grandchildren, Matthew Hoenl with Tessa, Aaron Hoenl with Miranda, Nathan Hoenl with Hannah, Emily Moore with Michael and John with Netania; seven great-grandchildren, Kaiden, Maeve, Miles, Elsie, Michael John, Nora and Makenna; a sister, Dorothy Rodrian; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by five siblings, Nicholas, Margaret Melewsky, Michael, Elizabeth White and Mary Powanda.

Contributions may be made to the church, 1861 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem, 18018.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home, Whitehall.