John M. Benz

August 12, 2024

John M. Benz, 86 of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Monday, August 12, 2024 at Highland Manor Nursing Home, Exeter, PA.

Born on January 3, 1938 in Wilkes-Bare, PA, he was the son of the late John S. and Mary M. (Fertal) Benz.

John was a graduate of St. Nicholas High School, Wilkes-Barre, Class of 1955, Kings’ College, Wilkes-Barre, with his Bachelor’s Degree in History, attended St. Mary’s Seminary, earned his Master’s Degree in Political Science from Villanova University, Philadelphia, received his Master’s Degree in Religious Education from Marywood University, Scranton and attended Taft Institute, Scranton. John also attended the National Teachers Conferences throughout his life.

He was employed as an educator for schools in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, at Girard College, Philadelphia, the Wilkes-Barre Area School District, and the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center, where he taught tennis. John also worked for the postal service at Christmas time.  John was very active with the Wyoming Valley CYC, working various jobs in various capacities for nearly 50 years.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Slovak Church, then St. Andre Bessette Parish, both of North Wilkes-Barre, until their closure and merger with Saints Peter & Paul Church, Plains.  While a member at Sacred Heart Slovak Church, he served as a Eucharist Minister.   John also held membership in the Knights of Columbus, Council 302, The North End Slovak Citizen’s Club, the Professional Tennis Registry as a teacher and the United States Tennis Association.

Surviving are his brothers Atty. George Benz, Ventura, CA, and William Benz, Alexandria, VA, and his sister Mary Yarolin, Camp Hill, PA, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, August 16, 2024 at 10:00 am at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road Plains, PA  18705, with Father John C. Lambert, Pastor, officiating. A live stream of the funeral mass will be on the parish FACEBOOK page. Interment will be held in Sacred Heart Slovak Cemetery, Dorchester Drive, Dallas.  Family and friends may call Friday morning from 9:00 am until the time of Mass at church.  Arrangements entrusted to the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street, Plains, PA  18705.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center, 36 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA  18701 in John’s memory.