John F. Rooney, age 83 of Lost Creek passed away Monday at Shenandoah Senior Living Community.

Born in Centralia on August 12, 1929 he was a son of the late Frank and Mary (Tighe) Rooney.

John was a graduate of the former Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, Mt. Carmel.

He was a retired pipefitter from the Pipefitters & Plumbers Local Union No 524, Scranton.

John was a decorated Korean War Army Veteran having attained the rank of Sergeant. His decorations and citations include, the Bronze Star Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), United Nations Service Medal, 3 Overseas Service Bars and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Mr. Rooney served as former vice chairman for the Schuylkill County Democratic Party and served as former chairman for the West Mahanoy Township Democratic Party.

John was a member of St. Mary Magdalene Church, Lost Creek; the Centralia American Legion Post 608, the Mount Carmel VFW, the Pipefitters & Plumbers Local Union No 524, Scranton and a life member of the West End Fire Company, Lost Creek. He was also member of the Men of Brennan of the former Cardinal Brennan High School, Fountain Springs. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order the Hibernians (AOH) and the Ashland Elks.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two infant children, Martin and Mary Bridget Rooney; a grandson, Colin B. Rooney and a sister, Dorothy Eby.

Surviving are his wife, the former Marguerite G. Wood to whom he was married 58 years; a daughter, Nellie wife of Patrick Kempsey of Catasauqua; four sons, Jack Rooney and his wife Lisa of Shenandoah, Brian Rooney and his wife Kathie of Shenandoah, Tom Rooney of Rehoboth Beach, DE and Francis Rooney and his wife Lisa of Shenandoah; eleven grandchildren, Patrick Kempsey and his fianc, Sarah Bentzel, Brian Kempsey, Dane, Leanne and Evan Rooney, Stephen Chatcavage and his wife Janelle, Brian and Christopher Rooney, Bridget, Curtis and Eric Rooney; a great-grandson, Lucas Chatcavage; two brothers, Joe Rooney and his wife Kathy of Levittown and Edward Rooney and his companion Sue Chase of Ashland; a sister, Peggie Stellar and her husband, Robert of Levittown, a brother-in-law, John Eby of Shamokin; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 9:30 AM from Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Annunciation BVM Church, 230 West Cherry St., Shenandoah. Rev. Msgr. Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in Annunciation BVM Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Friday evening from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Saturday morning from 8:30 until the time of services.

At the familys request and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Colin B. Rooney Scholarship Fund, c/o M&T Bank, 2 South Main Street, Shenandoah, PA 17976.

Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.