Stephen J. Kishel, 89, of Olyphant, Pa., passed away June 23 at Allied Services Hospice Center in Scranton with family at his side.
Born in Olyphant, son of the late Stephen and Stephanie Krawiec Kishel, he attended St. Michael’s the Archangel Elementary School and Olyphant High School. At age 17 he entered the United States Army Air Corps and served in the Korean War from 1947 to 1951, specializing in crash rescue. He was a lifetime member of the DAV and a 50-year member of the Olyphant American Legion Post 327.
With his wife Dee, he was the owner and operator of Kishel’s Bar and Grill for 45 years. People traveled far and wide for their renowned pizza and Texas wieners. Kishel’s Bar and Grill was the sponsor of the 1985 Little League champions, Kishel’s Jets.
Known for his community activism, Stephen served for more than 25 years on the Olyphant ambulance and fire department and three terms on Olyphant Council.
He is survived by four children, Stephen Kishel Jr. and wife, Kathy, Taylor; Judi Bobrowsky and husband, Joe, Johnson City, N.Y.; Debbi Tereschak and husband, Curt, Greentown; John Kishel and wife, Lisa, Mountain Top; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; sister, Elizabeth Butryn, New Jersey; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores; sisters, Mildred Kishel and Irene Picca; and grandson, Nicolai Tereschak.
The family would like to thank the staff of Geisinger CMC and Allied Hospice for their compassionate care.
The funeral will be Friday from the Michael P. Glinsky Funeral Home Inc., 129 Grant St., Olyphant, with Mass of Christian Burial at noon in Holy Cross Parish at St. Patrick’s Church, Olyphant. Interment, St. John’s Cemetery, Jessup.
Friends may call on Friday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Please be mindful of the need to wear masks when entering the funeral home and church.