Atlas – John L. (Switaj) Switay, 89, of 121 W. Saylor St., passed away on May 25, 2024, at Mount Carmel Senior Living Community.

He was born in Kulpmont on October 16, 1934, the son of the late John Andrew and Frances (Parazinski) Switaj.

John attended St. Casimir's Elementary School and was a graduate of Roosevelt High School, Kulpmont, class of 1952.

On July 21, 1956, he married the former Helen E. Karlovich in Our Mother of Consolation Church, Mt. Carmel. Together they shared 64 years of marriage until Helen's passing on December 3, 2020.

John served in the United States Army from 1957 – 1959 with the 4th Armored Division, and later with the 7th U.S. Army in Germany. His duty was with the 1st Missile Battalion, 39th Artillery.

John was employed by Rexall Drug and Chemical Company, Kimberly Clark Corp., and Colgate Palmolive Corp. as a sales rep, and later as a sales manager in the food broker trade. He retired from Bloomsburg University as a supervisor in the Facilities Service Department.

John was a member of Divine Redeemer Church and SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Mount Carmel.

John enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, and cooking. He was an avid lifelong fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. John was a true gentleman with an outgoing personality who took a sincere interest in everyone he met. He was an absolutely outstanding husband, father, and grandfather.

John is survived by a daughter, Catherine Stoudt of Robesonia; a son, John A. Switay and wife, Sheila of Sunbury; two grandchildren, Sarah (Kyle) Werner and Stephen Stoudt; three great-grandchildren, Karson, Jackson, and Annabelle Werner; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, John was preceded in death by a son-in-law, John M. Stoudt; a sister, Martha (David) Strick; a brother, Clement (Rita) Sweet; a niece, Mary Frances Sweet; and two nephews, John Sweet and David Strick.

Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 11 a.m. with Father Bernard Wamayose, A J and Very Reverend Archpriest Michael Hutsko concelebrating in Divine Redeemer Church, Mt. Carmel. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, Elysburg. 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. 27 N. Vine Street, Mt. Carmel, C J Lucas IV, Supervisor.