John Hnatishin, 103, formerly of Bethlehem, died August 13, 2024. Born in Saint Clair, he was a son of the late Anna (Kostrey) and Michael Hnatishin. He was the husband of Catherine “Kitty” (King) Hnatishin for 67 years.

He was a 1938 Saint Clair H. S. graduate. He played second base for his junior and senior baseball teams. He played one year of professional baseball with South Bend, Saint Clair. He attended Bethlehem Technical School.

He was in the U.S. Navy and was aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Capps.

Before and after his military service, he worked at Bethlehem Steel in the No. 2 Machine Shop. He was a mail carrier for the Bethlehem Post Office, from which he retired in 1986.

He was a member of Notre Dame Church, Bethlehem, and was part of the church building committee. He helped fund the construction of the church and volunteered for the parish and the rectory into his 80s.

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

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

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

Contributions may be made to Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church, 1861 Catasauqua Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home Inc., Whitehall.