Kulpmont, PA – John "Jack" Richard Ballent, 88, of 209 N. 11 ^th St., passed away Friday, January 1, 2021 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA.

He was born in Mount Carmel on November 30, 1932, the son of the late Andrew and Christine (Spieles) Ballent.

Jack was a 1950 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School. After graduation, Jack moved to Bound Brook, NJ. He proudly served his country during the Korean War in the United States Airforce as a Staff Sergeant. He worked for Johns-Manville, Manville, NJ as a supervisor for 50 years, Lipton Tea, Flemington, NJ for 10 years, and Oticon, Somerset, NJ for 3 years.

On September 27, 1958, in the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Milltown, NJ, John was married to Esther Valanoski by the Reverend Joseph T. Thul. Together they shared 62 years of marriage.

Jack was a member of American Legion, Bound Brook, NJ for 50 years and the Moose, Bound Brook, NJ. He bowled and played softball for Johns-Manville, Manville, NJ and was an active member of St. Mary's Church, Bound Brook, NJ and the Church of the Holy Angels, Kulpmont, PA.

He enjoyed cooking, loved his Red Tornadoes and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was known to many friends and family as "Oscar". He could be found every morning enjoying a cup of coffee while reading the newspaper.

Jack is survived by his wife, Esther (Valanoski) Ballent of Kulpmont; two daughters, Darlene Scott and husband, Richard of GA and Denise DiMaria and husband, David of NJ; a son, Richard Ballent and wife, Barbara of AZ; a sister, Mildred LaCrosse of Mt. Carmel; two brothers-in-law, Marty Barrows of PA and John Valanoski of OK; two godchildren, Fred Edmondson Jr. and Kimberly Valanoski; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Stanley Valanoski and wife, Evelyn; two brothers, Robert Ballent and Leonard Ballent and wife, Thelma; two sisters, Mary Lou Edmondson and husband, Frederic Sr. and Tina Barrows; four sisters-in-law, Shirley Swartz, Cynthia Washleski and husband, Dan, Roseanne Balitchick and husband, Robert, and Rosemarie Zearfoss and husband, Donald; two brothers-in-law, Carl Valanoski and Marion Valanoski.

FUNERAL NOTICE

John R. Ballent, 88, of 209 N. 11 ^th St., Kulpmont - Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at the Church of the Holy Angels, 855 Scott St., Kulpmont with Father Andrew Stahmer officiating. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Viewing will be held from 9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. with transferal prayers at 10 a.m. in the C. J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 1053 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, Malcom C. Farrow IV, Supervisor. To send condolences to the family please visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com