John Barnetsky Jr.

John Barnetsky Jr, 67, of Branch Township passed away peacefully July 13th surrounded by his wife and son.

John was born September 17, 1957 to the late John and Gloria (Brentari) Barnetsky of Minersville where he grew up with his brother Edward Barnetsky.

He was a 1975 graduate of Minersville Area High School where he met and fell in love with his wife of 47 wonderful years, Donna (Reed) Barnetsky with whom he had a son Seth.

 Throughout his life, the most important thing to John was family. He was “the rock”, the steady constant that all could rely on. His devotion and belief that “family is the most important thing you have” was something obvious to all who knew him and the inspiration of several of his tattoos. No matter what, when, or where; if someone in the family needed him, John was there. The same could also be true for the many friends and people he cared about. He truly loved helping others, and would go out of his way to aid people who needed it in any way he could. Second only to his family was John’s love of music. From the time he was 12 years old, John’s love and passion for music led him to play in local bands of various musical styles and solidified a lifelong love of the guitar. Throughout the years, he would work all week and play shows on the weekend with various groups and friends. He gave lessons at the former Terrace Music Center outside of Minersville and worked with other local musicians when they would ask. In his later years there was always a guitar within arm’s reach of his favorite chair that he would play to pass the time.

John worked locally as a plant manager at the former Dixon Ticonderoga pencil plant in Deer Lake until its closure and retired as vice-president of manufacturing from Cardinal Systems in Schuylkill Haven. He was a strong proponent for manufacturing and the trades and worked with several organizations and colleges to promote the awareness and importance of both.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law's , Robert and Frank Reed.

John is survived by his wife, Donna, a son , Seth Barnetsky & his fiancee Cheyenne Strickler, a brother, Edward Barnetsky, sister & brother-in-law , Darla & Vince Fabiani, sister-in-law, Jacqueline Reed, nephews and nieces, Tom, Shawn, Melissa, Alicia and Rachel.

All are respectfully invited to attend a Visitation Saturday, from 8:30 to 11:00 am at the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville.

A Funeral Services shall follow at 11:00 am with Pastor Russell Hepler officiating.

Interment Mount Peace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made to the Mountaineer Hose Co., Minersville or the First Baptist Church of Pottsville or the Pottsville Area Music Endowment..

Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.

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