SSG Paul J. Bernotas, Jr., age 25 of 9 St. Paul St., Shenandoah and stationed with the United States Army in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas passed away Tuesday in Platte City, Missouri.

Born in Pottsville on April 3, 1987 he was the son of Paul J. Sr. and Barbara (Zagrosky) Bernotas of Shenandoah.

Paul attended the former Father Walter J. Ciszek Elementary School, Shenandoah, the former Cardinal Brennan Jr./Sr. High School, Fountain Springs and was a 2005 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School. He then attended McCann School of Business and majored in criminal justice. He completed his criminal justice studies while enlisted in the US Army.

Currently on active duty, he was assigned asanMP/Internment Resettlement Specialist at HQs, HQs Disciplinary Barracks, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He served his country during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) while stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Preceding him in death were his maternal grandparents, Dolores Najunas and Joseph Zagrosky and paternal grandparents, Vincent and Theresa Bernotas and his godfather and uncle, Bernard Najunas, Jr.

Surviving in addition to his parents are his wife, the former Lashonde Quintero formerly of Kelso, WA; a daughter, Aubrey Nicole Bernotas; two sisters, Nicole Bernotas of Shenandoah and Janel Bernotas of Sheppton; his godmother and aunt, Marie Gunderman of Shenandoah; two nephews, David and Kolton Kufro; additional aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

Religious and military services will be held Friday at 9:00 AM from Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 9:30AM in St. Casimirs Church. Rev. Msgr. Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in Our Lady of Dawn Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

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