McMichael Funeral Home, Inc.

02/03/2026

Paul O. Bitler, 87, of Bloomsburg, passed away on January 24, 2026.

He was born June 3, 1938 in Millville, PA to the late Otis E. & Geraldine (Knorr) Bitler.

Paul graduated from Millville High School and went on to serve in the United States Air Force for 22 years. During that time, he served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Defense Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. After his retirement in the USAF, Paul worked at the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, VA for 16 years. Upon his retirement from the Naval Weapons Station, Paul served in the Newport News Police Dept. for five years and an additional ten years for the Newport News Auxiliary Police Dept until his retirement in 1999.

During his free time Paul was an International Harvester antique collector, he also completely refurbished two Farmall tractors and he enjoyed playing classical and country music on his guitar.

He is survived by his daughter, Brenda L. Johns and her husband, Christopher of Linden, PA; his adopted daughter, Jenette Bitler of Hughesville; his grandson, Christopher Johns, II; two adopted grandchildren, Marshall Hinkal and Charles Mayer, II; and his siblings, Barbara Pegg of Espy, Phyllis Beck of Greenwood Valley, Joan Procino and her husband Vince of Avondale, PA, Dennis Bitler of Williamsport, Gerald Bitler of Pine Center, Carol Dronek and her husband, Paul of Sweet Valley and Janice Laphen and her husband, Charles of Newtown Square, PA.

A graveside service will take place at the Pine Center Cemetery at a future date to be announced.

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton is honored to serve Paul’s family. For online condolences or additional information please visit our website at: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com.

02/01/2026

Betty H. (Kingsbury) Remley, 87, of Divide, passed away peacefully at home on January 29, 2026.

Born January 14, 1939 in Red Rock to the late Paul and Anna (Laycock) Kingsbury.

Betty was the first graduating class from Northwest High School in 1957 and went to work at Dockey’s shirt factory in Benton while milking the family’s cows at home after her father’s passing. Her favorite job came after she married her loving husband, Carl Remley and became a full-time farmer’s wife. She later went into food service at Clearbrook Lodge, and later Nannas Restaurant. Together they ran the Dairy Farm, which was a life full of hard work, but they loved doing it together. She also loved being in the kitchen, baking, quilt-making, and having big family get-togethers. Enjoying 53 years of marriage until Carl passing in 2014, she will be reunited with Carl and loved ones in Heaven

She is survived by her children, Anna Parks and her husband, William, Carla Emery and her husband, Mark, and Paul Remley and his friend, Stephen Werner, all of Divide; nine grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Carl D. Remley; brothers, Jack and Dale Kingsbury; stepson, Gregory D. Remley; and grandson, Justin L. Moyer.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., in Benton. A visitation will precede the service beginning at 10 a.m. where the family will receive friends. Interment at Waller Cemetery will immediately follow the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) of which Betty was an avid supporter; and to the Divide Union Church, c/o Carla Emery, 114 Andys Hill Road, Benton, PA 17814.

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton is honored to serve the Remley family. For online condolences or additional information please visit our website at: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com.

01/30/2026

Donna Sutton Deeter, 57, of York, Pennsylvania, passed away on January 28, 2026. Donna was a radiant presence in the lives of all who knew her, a woman whose joy, generosity, and sunshine -filled spirit truly lit up every room she entered.
Born in Germany on May 15, 1968, where her Dad was stationed, they moved to Benton when she was 3 months old. She graduated from Benton class of 1986 and then graduated from Bloomsburg University. She dedicated over 26 years of her professional life to Fulton Bank, where she was known not only for her reliability and dedication, but for her kindness, warmth, and genuine care for others.
Donna's greatest love was her family and friends. She is survived by her beloved son, Mason Deeter, who was the center of her world; her father, Dick Sutton; and her mother, Tina Sutton. Donna poured her heart into the people that she loved, making each person feel seen, heard, and deeply valued. She was a wonderful listener, endlessly dependable, and someone others could always count on.
Donna had a gift for celebration. She found joy in gift giving, themed parties, crafting, shopping, and especially Christmas, her favorite season, which perfectly matched her bright, joyful spirit. She delighted in creating magical moments for others and had an extraordinary ability to make people feel loved simply be being herself.
Above all, Donna will be remembered for her generous heart, her genuine kindness, and the happiness she spread so effortlessly. Her joyful spirit leaves a lasting imprint on everyone fortunate enough to have known her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 3p.m. at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton. A visitation will precede the service beginning at 1p.m. where the family will receive friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donna's memory to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).
The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton, is honored to serve Donna's Family. For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

01/28/2026

H. Jolene Campbell Stackhouse, 88, of rural Stillwater passed away Monday, January 26, 2026, following a brief illness. Born in Sugarloaf Township, Jolene was the daughter of the late Harry M. and Vera (Hartzell) Campbell, and second mother Lavenia (Deitrick) Campbell.

On February 23, 1955, at Town Hill UMC, Jolene married her beloved husband Arnold, who she met while square dancing, forming a bond that lasted over 70 years. Together they were the proud parents of daughter, Paula, wife of Mark Britten, Watsontown, son Armand of Orangeville, and daughter Myra, wife of John Golomb, Orangeville. They have eleven grandchildren: Heather Perko, Seth (Puja) Britten, Sara (Brian) Fink, Atchley (Tyson) Stackhouse, Shawn Miller, Alissa (Jeremy) Keeney, Adrian Stackhouse, Anna Stackhouse, Dylan Golomb, Dagaen Golomb, and Kaytiona (Sam) Masters. Their large family includes nineteen great-grandchildren: Kylan, Emmet, Rome, Daniel, Grace, Randi (Chris), Corey (Mattie), Maverick, Aleigha, Adalayde, Macson, Gavin, Sawyer, Hunter, Carter, Nicholas, Aubree, Ryder, and Oliver, and seven great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

In addition to her parents, Jolene is preceded in death by siblings Edward Campbell, Richard “Dick” Campbell, Cathy Beck, and Alfred “Tom” Gulliver. Surviving are sisters Elaine Sweet, Sheila Thompson, and Kay Stanton and her companion David Hampton, all of whom reside in the Benton area.

A 1955 graduate of Benton High School, Jolene enjoyed getting together with classmates and her Pot Luck ladies. After graduation, she was employed by ACME Markets, Hanover Foods, The Heritage House Restaurant, eventually retiring from Penn State University teaching nutrition and meal preparation through the EFNEP program. She kept the books for her husband’s business A.O. Stackhouse Plumbing, Heating, & Roofing for 53 years. She was an avid reader, especially enjoying James Michener’s writing, and loved to cut out interesting articles to share with family. Jolene was active in local politics, serving as committee woman for several years. She was also a 4-H leader. She loved local history, and was a tour guide for the Covered Bridge Festival bus tours to the bridges. She was a wealth of information, and this was especially apparent when doing genealogy. Whenever she met someone new, she would ask the names of their parents and had a remarkable ability to figure out family lineages on the spot. In the genealogy computer program she used, she had entered the names of 91, 613 relatives.

Jolene had a gift for music. She played piano, organ, accordion, and was learning to play the mandolin. She had a steady faith, and attended Rohrsburg Community Fellowship, where she was pianist for over fifty years and at one time led a youth choir.

She loved to prepare meals for family and friends. Anyone who stopped by would be offered something delicious to eat. If you were lucky enough to ever have her famous mac and cheese, bacon wrapped tenderloin, or sourdough buckwheat cakes, you got a little taste of heaven. She loved her garden, canning fresh food, and making sure nothing was ever wasted.

The swing on the front porch at Golder Hill Farm was her favorite place to ben and she could name every bird who came to the feeder.

Jolene showed care for her family in countless ways. She listened patiently, gave sage advice, and genuinely supported each of us in whatever we were doing. She loved big family gatherings and weekly Sunday dinners together. We will honor her life by remembering the lessons she taught simply by the way she lived, and by carrying on family traditions she loved.

In lieu of flowers (her favorite: Brown-eyed Susans), you may honor her memory with a donation to: Rohrsburg Community Fellowship, 706 Zaners-Rohrsburg Rd, Orangeville, PA 17859.

There will be no services at this time. Jolene requested that we celebrate her life by sharing stories, good food, and music together. Please join us for “Sunday Dinner” on July 19, 2026 at Raven Creek Community Hall at 12:30pm. If you play an instrument, please bring it along!

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton, is honored to serve the Stackhouse family. For online condolences or additional information please visit our website at www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com.

01/28/2026

David W. Bardo, 78, of Benton, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the UPMC Williamsport Hospital.

Dave was born December 2, 1947 in Bloomsburg, son of the late Eugene & Leona (Keeler) Bardo.

He graduated from Benton H.S. in 1966 and immediately enlisted in the military where he proudly served in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves and National Guard for 12 years during the Vietnam conflict. After returning from his military service Dave became an entrepreneur, most recently running the Central Park Hotel with his wife, Rose. He served 48 years as a volunteer firefighter with Benton, North Mountain, and Unityville. He was a member of East Greenwood Hunting Cabin, Racks Unlimited, and the Orangeville Sportsmen’s Club. He enjoyed hunting, trapping, fishing, tending to his garden, and most of all, spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rose (O’Handley) Bardo; his children, Elizabeth Derr and her husband, Michael of Benton, J. Douglas Bardo and his wife, Mary Grace of Central, David Paul Bardo and his wife, Rachel of Sunbury, Julie Wang and her husband, Henry of NY, and Jennifer Kaleinek and her husband, Michael of Shickshinny; grandchildren, Kearsten, Zeke, Hailey, Hunter, Brittney, Caden, Nathan, Colton, and Austin; six great-grandchildren; and his brothers, Gene Bardo and his wife, Sherry, and Rick Bardo and his wife, Maryann.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 12 p.m. at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., in Benton, with Pastor Scott Lyons officiating. A visitation will precede the service beginning at 10 a.m. where the family will receive friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dave’s memory to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org); UPMC Foundation (note: Hospice of Central Pennsylvania), 1001 Grampian Blvd, Williamsport, PA 17701; and to Stillwater Christian Church, 39 McMichael St, Stillwater, PA 17878.

The Bardo family would like to give a special thanks to the Doctors and Nurses who provided care for Dave at UPMC Williamsport Hospital.

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton is honored to serve the Bardo family. For online condolences or additional information please visit our website at: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com.

01/28/2026

Kenneth E. Long, 52, of Bloomsburg, passed away at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville after an illness with cancer.

Ken was born July 20, 1973 in Bloomsburg, son of Paul Kenneth & Sandra May (Derr) Long.

Ken graduated from Benton H.S. and went on to graduate from Bloomsburg University with a major in education. He worked several jobs throughout his life, most recently he worked at Weis Markets in Bloomsburg for over 10 years. He was a member of Derrs Christian Church, the Catawissa Military Band, and the Danville Community Band. Ken was a huge Phillies and Steelers fan and loved watching them. He also enjoyed going on trips to Gettysburg with his wife, Kim.

He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Sue Acor-Long; his parents, Paul and Sandra Long; and his brother, Shane Long.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Eugene & Florence Derr and Carl J. & Ethel Long.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., in Benton, with Pastor Robert Andrews officiating. A visitation will precede the service beginning at 10 a.m. where the family will receive friends. A private interment will take place at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Grovania.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ken’s memory to the Millville Christian Church (www.millvillecc.org); Derrs Christian Church, 466 Derrs Rd, Benton, PA 17814; and Blood Cancer United (www.bloodcancerunited.org).

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton is honored to serve the Long family. For online condolences or additional information, please visit our website at: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com.

01/26/2026

Charles S. Wodrig, 89, of Millville, passed away on January 22, 2026 at the River Street Manor in Wilkes-Barre.

Born April 27, 1936 in Lycoming County to the late Charles F. & Clara (Bush) Wodrig.

Charles graduated from Hughesville High School in 1954 and then served 4 years in the United States Air Force as an airplane mechanic. He then worked as a self-employed landscaper and eventually became the owner/operator of Wodrig Nursery. Charles received his private pilots license and enjoyed flying small aircraft.

He is survived by his four children, JoAnn Robins and her husband, Randy of Bloomsburg, Charles C. “Chuck” Wodrig and his wife Tameria of Bloomsburg, Diane M. Donkochik and her husband Randy of Georgia, and Shirley Ann Wodrig and her companion Angela Miller of Millville; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents Charles is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley V. (Temple) Wodrig who passed away in 2022; his brothers, Howard, Harold and William “Bill”; his sister, Marion Cragle; and his half-sister, Doris Griggs.

Services for Charles will be private and at the convenience of the family.

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton is honored to serve the Wodrig family. For online condolences or additional information please visit our website at: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com.

01/19/2026

Nancy C. (Eidle) Leh, 86, of Benton (Central), died Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born December 27, 1939 in Boyertown, Montgomery County, she was a daughter of the late John and Annie (Moyer) Eidle. She was the loving and dedicated wife to her husband, the Rev. Howard W. Leh and they would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on April 30th.
Nancy attended Boyertown High School and later worked as a secretary at Beckerman Shoe Factory in Boyertown. She was a partner in business and in life with her husband, Howard; she was secretary and treasurer for Leh Contracting and also a partner in his ministry.
She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Central; a member of the U. M. W. and served as Church secretary for many years and was involved with the various activities of the Church.
An active member of the community she had also volunteered for the North Mountain Carnival for many years. Nancy enjoyed gardening, baking for Church events and various organizations; traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and the National Parks.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, Howard, are her two daughters: Roxanne LeRoy and her husband, Timothy, of San Tan Valley, Arizona; Tanya Brooks and her husband, Louis, Jr., of Bloomsbury, New Jersey; four grandchildren: Nancy Pol and her husband, John; Earl Grater, III. and his wife, Lauren; Sierra Brooks and Kayley Brooks; two step grandchildren: Chelsea Newcomb and Katelyn Dray; eight great grandchildren; a sister, Virginia Togno and her husband, Al.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by the following siblings: John Eidle, Jr., Franklin Eidle, Robert Eidle, Shirley Eidle and Richard Eidle.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 at 11 A. M. at Christ United Methodist Church in Central, with the Pastor Gail Y. Kitchen, officiating. A Viewing will be held Thursday from 10 AM until the time of the service at 11 at the Church. Burial will be Friday at 11:30 AM in Hill Church Cemetery, 620 Hill Church Road, Boyertown, PA. (Berks County). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the S. P. C. A., 1467 Bloom Road, Danville, PA 17821. The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton, is honored to serve the Leh Family. For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

01/12/2026

Annette K. Sagar of Benton Township, passed on January 9, 2026 at “The Gardens Nursing Home”, in Orangeville.

Born August 19, 1961 in Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Tonia (Osinski) Sagar and Robert Sagar.

Annette spent most of her life in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, living in Benton since she was ten. She was a graduate of Benton High School and was employed in various jobs in her earlier years, including a nursing home aide at Charmund Nursing Home, Orangeville and an aide at Danville Daycare.

Annette was active in her community. She was a member of Hamline Church, where she participated in their services and activities. She volunteered at the Benton Food Bank, helping to package and distribute food. She attended music programs with friends and always offered to help where needed. A committed reader, she took advantage of the services of the Columbia County Book Mobile and was an almost daily visitor at the Country Fresh Market.
Annette loved people and socializing, making many friends along her way, over the years. They brightened her life as she, so often, became a warm and enduring light in theirs. She was known for cheerful outlook, her floppy hat, her love for her cats and “Rosie”, the dog.
Annette was an indomitable spirit, who powered through many difficulties to find a fresh new life and those of us who truly knew her will hold her in our hearts and remember her warmth and kindness.

Surviving is her brother, Robert M. Sagar, a niece, Nahanni Sagar, and a nephew, Elias Sagar, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada; step-mother, Tonya Boston-Sagar, Benton Township and numerous cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Hamline Church, 239 south, Shickshinny Road, three and a half miles outside of Benton, on January 24, at 2pm.

An honor gathering for Annette will also be held at the Sagar farm in August, hosted by the Sagar family. Day and time to be announced at a later date.

Contributions in Annette’s name can be given to the Hamline Church or Benton Food Bank.

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to serve the Sagar Family. For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

01/12/2026

Sharlet Marie Johnson, 101, of Mt. Pleasant Township, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026 on the family farm surrounded by her family. She was born on January 31, 1924 in the Orangeville area of Pennsylvania to Cleatus and Erma (Karns) Wagner, the third of eight children.
During WWII, while working at the Bloomsburg silk mill, she met a friend who would become her sister-in-law and the matchmaker to her husband Marshall. Their wartime correspondence blossomed into a marriage that spanned 79 remarkable years, nearly all of which were spent working their Bloomsburg farm.
Community was important to Sharlet. She leaves behind more than 50-years’ legacy of leadership, mentorship, and tireless service. From guiding youth with their projects and shows at the Bloomsburg Fair as a 4-H leader to serving 30 years as an elections officer, she dedicated her life to others. Whether she was greeting neighbors from the driver’s seat of a school bus, assisting patients on a Geisinger Medical Center shuttle, or serving at Canby Lutheran Church, Sharlet was never idle.
Farming and horses were the focus of Sharlet 's life, but she also found joy in sewing, reading, playing games, and passing on her vast knowledge to younger generations. Her home was a place filled with the fruits of her vegetable garden, the beauty of her flower beds, and the warmth of her kitchen.
Preceded in death by her husband Marshall, and five siblings (Zender, Marla May, Zerbin, Eleanor, and Albert), Sharlet is survived by her sisters Betty (Pat) Gallagher and Mary (Steve) Campbell; daughters Karen (David) Lanning and Kathy Young; and son Ken Johnson; five grandchildren: Michael (Cathy) Lanning, Clint (Cindy) Young, Mickey (Jay) Woodcook, Kenneth (Karine) Johnson, Victoria Johnson; eight great-grandchildren: Keaton (Amanda), Lakelyn (Bryce), William, Aurora, Amelia, Kamiah, Alijah, and Zerelda; many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
Sharlet was a testament to the strength of the Greatest Generation. She loved seeing children learn, and her influence will be felt through the many lives she empowered with her skills and wisdom.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the Canby Lutheran Church. Burial will take place at the Canby Cemetery immediately following the service.
The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton is honored to serve the Johnson family. For online condolences or additional information please visit our website at www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com.

01/11/2026

Dorothy M. "Dot" (Hippensteel) O'Handley, 90, of Lake Ganoga, Sullivan County, died early Friday morning, January 9, 2026 at her home surrounded by her family.

Born March 18, 1935 in Carlisle, she was a daughter of the late William G. and Helen (Clever) Hippensteel. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, J. Douglas O'Handley, on June 13, 2015.

Mrs. O'Handley was a graduate of Mechanicsburg High School. She had worked at Rite Aide in her younger years. Later, she and her husband moved to the Benton area and purchased the Central Park Hotel, which they operated from 1972 to 1992 when they retired to Ganoga Lake.

She was a member of Christ The King Catholic Church in Benton. Her hobbies included trapping, fishing, antiquing and listening to music.

Surviving are her children: Kathleen and her husband, Gary; Michael and his wife, Lori; Rosemary and her husband, David; Brian and his wife, Nancy; Susan and her husband, Edward.

Her grandchildren are: Zach, Dorothy, Brittany, Beth, J. Douglas, David Paul, Erin, Deb and Diane; Also surviving are ten great grandchildren and four and a half great great grandchildren.

Along with her husband, Doug, and her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, William D. O'Handley; two grandsons: Brian A. O'Handley, Jr., and William D. O'Handley, Jr.; a granddaughter, Tori Heim and a great granddaughter, Jacey Heim. She was also the last surviving member of her immediate family, being preceded in death by six siblings.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 12 Noon at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton (S. R. 487) with The Very Rev. Richard J. Mowery, officiating. Burial will be in St. Gabriel's Cemetery, Sugarloaf Township. A Viewing will be held Saturday from 11 AM until the time of the Service at noon. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to Christ The King Catholic Church, P. O Box 297, Benton, PA 17814.

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton, is honored to serve the O'Handley Family. For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website:

Celebrate the life of Dorothy "Dot" O'Handley and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

01/06/2026

John (Iwan) Eric Wereschagin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many, died peacefully Tuesday after a life far too large for one obituary. He was 85.

Born in Kiev, U.S.S.R., he escaped the Soviet Union during World War II and survived the concentration camp of Auschwitz as a small child before immigrating to the United States, where his parents, Olga (née Klein) and Michael Vereschagin, settled their family in Totowa, N.J.

Having witnessed life in the concentration camp, John believed deeply in the power of change and giving back to others. He volunteered for Cares Recovery, answering calls at all hours and helping people in their moments of greatest need.

As a dashing young dancer, John captivated audiences around the world, performing with the renowned Don Cossack Choir. After retiring from his dancing career, John worked for 28 years at Hoffman la Roche in Nutley, N.J. Not satisfied to live a life of retirement, he returned to work at Berkley/Dover College as a teacher, then became the IT administrator for Dover College.

Throughout his life, he explored the sea both above and below the water, and was a student of everything from history to language to art to the latest in technological science.

The breadth of his interests was matched only by the size of his personality, and no matter the room, it was his gravity that pulled people together. Always quick with a story or joke (most of which cannot be repeated here), he could make a friend in minutes or surprise those who’d known him all their lives with something new.

For those who knew him best, it was his boundless love for his family that will always define him. When a crisis arose, the first call was to Dad or Uncle Johnny. In life’s greatest triumphs, it was his proud, smiling voice they wanted to hear. There was nowhere he wouldn’t go and nothing he wouldn’t do for them.

That unwavering, unquestioning love is a gift beyond measure for his children and grandchildren, and their lives are forever shaped by it.

In this moment of profound grief for his family and friends, they are sustained by the joy he shared with them, the lessons he taught them, the example he set for them, and the final encomium of his people:
Vechnaya pamyat.

John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Mary Jo DePalma; daughters Laura (Michael Zimmerman) and Alexis; sons John and Michael (Neva German); grandchildren Barrett Zimmerman (Vale Smith), Nikolai and Eliana Wereschagin, and Mason Rozakis; siblings Victor (Pat) Vereschagin, Helen Smith, Jeanne (Joe) Tolvay and Michael (Irene) Vereshagin; and a wealth of nieces and nephews who loved him dearly and whom he loved unconditionally.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Valentine Vereschagin.

A Viewing will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 2 to 4 PM at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton (State Route 487). A brief prayer service will be held at 4 PM at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, John’s family asks that you donate to Dinners For Kids, 84 S. Wyoming Ave., Edwardsville, PA 18704, care of Ollie’s Restaurant (www.dinners4kids.org).

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton, is honored to serve the Wereschagin Family.