GAVORNIK, JOHN S.

John S. “Hones” Gavornik Sr., 82, of 512 Pine St., Jim Thorpe, died July 11 [2003] in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre. He was married to Mary A. (McArdle) Gavornik for 56 years last September.

He was a chipper in the ingot mold department of Bethlehem Steel Corp. before retiring. He was also chief of police for East Mauch Chunk.

Born in East Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late Frank and Apollonia (Kobjetic) Gavornik.

He was a member and former choir member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe.

He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II, serving as a sergeant in the Solomon Islands and receiving a Purple Heart and a Silver Star medal. He was a member of Dolon-Jones-Martino American Legion Post 304, Jim Thorpe.

He was a member of the Mauch Chunk Rod and Gun Club and a past president of Fairview Hose Company, both of Jim Thorpe.

Survivors: Wife; sons, John S. Jr., Robert and Thomas, all of Jim Thorpe; five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews. A daughter, Mary Ann Eckhart, died in 1993.

Services: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe. Mass, 10 a.m. Tuesday in the church. Call 7-9 p.m. Monday and 9-9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

Contributions: To the church or Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre.