John Robert Kesh, 75, of Hazleton, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026, following a short, hard-fought battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma linked to Agent Orange exposure. He passed away at The Manor at St. Luke Village, Hazleton.

John was born in Locustdale, on December 9, 1950, a son of the late Rita (Wagner) Kesh.

During the Vietnam Era, John served in the United States Army as a Specialist Fourth Class and received the following medals, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Marksman M-16, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Army Commendation Medal. He worked at Tobyhanna Army Depot as a welder until he retired.

John is survived by his loving wife, Barbara (Chesla) Kesh; two daughters, Tara Kesh and Krista Kesh; his sister-in-law, Frani Pisak, of SC; and his two grand dogs, Hamlet and Betty Rose.

A funeral service will be held at Walukiewicz Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah on Friday, September 18th, 2026 at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Friday, September 18th, 2026 from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM at the Walukiewicz Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah. 

John will be laid to rest with military honors at St. Casimir's Cemetery, Shenandoah, immediately following the funeral service.

Walukiewicz Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is honored to serve the Kesh family with arrangements; condolences can be left for the family at www.woffuneralhome.com.