John F. Potlunas

John F. Potlunas, 69, of Pottsville, PA passed away Tuesday, July 13th, at his daughter's home in Bellefonte, PA.

Born in Pottsville on February 18, 1952, he was a son of the late Frank & Olga (Visintainer) Potlunas.

He was the widower of Michelle J. (Horan) Potlunas, who passed away June 20, 2009. In addition to his wife, John is also preceded in death by his infant sister, Diane.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, where he participated in the choir, served as a cantor, and a eucharistic minister.

John was a 1970 graduate of Nativity BVM High School; and earned a bachelor's degree in music education in 1974 from West Chester State University. He earned a master's equivalency in music education from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

John had been employed as the high school band director for Nativity BVM High School, Williams Valley Jr. & Sr. High Schools, and retired from Tamaqua High School. After retirement, he volunteered as an assistant for the Exeter Area Township Senior High School marching band.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and was the former director of Cressona Band, and former conductor of the Schuylkill Youth Symphony. John played clarinet in the pit orchestras for local high school musical productions, and was a former member of Anthracite Philharmonic. He was a brother of Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity, and Phi Beta Mu.

John is survived by a daughter, Michquelena, wife of Justin Ferguson, of Bellefonte, a grandson, Tiberius John Ferguson, a sister-in-law, Katherine Horan, OSB, Erie, PA, and many cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Monday, July 19th at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Pottsville.
Public Viewing will be held 5 PM to 7 PM on Sunday, July 18th; as well as immediately prior to mass on Monday, July 19th from 10 AM to 10:45 AM, both at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Pottsville.
Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.

At the family's request, memorial donations in John's name may be forwarded to St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo Street Pottsville, PA 17901, Cressona Band, 12 Wilson St., Cressona, PA 17929, or Tamaqua Area Band Booster Association, 147 Race St., Tamaqua, PA 18252.