STEFANOVICH, BERNARD W.

Bernard W. Stefanovich, 94, formerly of Freeland, passed away Sunday [December 21, 2014] at Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, Drums.

Born in Highland, he was the son of the late John and Bertha (Tucker) Stefanovich.

During World War II, Bernie was a corporal and a qualified scout observer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the Caribbean area and the Pacific area and saw action at Tulagi and Guadalcanal, receiving a Good Conduct Medal and Honorable Service Lapel Button.

He was a miner at the No. 40 Shaft, Hazleton, and retired from Volco Brass and Copper Corp., New Jersey.

He was a former member of St. Casimir’s Roman Catholic Church, Freeland, and a current member of the Immaculate Conception Parish at St. Ann’s Church, Freeland, Freeland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5010, Freeland American Legion Post 473, Freeland Breakfast Club, and the Drifton Junior Athletic Club.

Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, were his wife, Mary, in 2011; brothers, Raymond, Joseph, Edward and John; and a sister, Loretta Berrish.

Surviving are a sister, Dorothy Kernevich, Florida; and nieces and nephews. Also surviving are a special niece and nephew who were his caregivers, Pollyann and Joseph Maduro, Freeland.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. from McHugh-Wilczek Funeral Home, 249 Centre St., Freeland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Parish at St. Ann’s Church, Freeland.

Burial will be in St. Casimir’s Cemetery, Freeland.

Family and friends may call at the funeral home Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m.