William F. Lodanosky

William F. Lodanosky, 82, of Lewistown, passed away at his home on January 11, 2021.  The second of four sons, he was born on October 14, 1938, to Joseph and Frances Lodanosky, of Mahanoy City, Pa.

Raised in Mahanoy City, Bill graduated from Mahanoy City High School in 1956.  He took great pride in the fact that he had attended all eleven class reunions.

In high school, Bill was a member of the Navy Reserve, then from 1956 to 1958, he served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Gatling.  Following his service time, he was employed by Western Electric, did a stint in the Merchant Marines, and then worked at Bethlehem Steel and Merck, Sharp and Dohme.

At the age of 27, he began his college career at Penn State, from which he graduated in 1970.  Bill was then hired by the Mifflin County School District, where he was employed as a health and physical education teacher until his retirement in 1997.

On March 4, 1967, Bill married Helen Farley.  At Bill’s passing, they were married 53 years.  A son, Joseph, his wife, Danielle (Stuart), and their children, Xavier and Emerson, of Edinboro, Pa. survive. 

A life-long Catholic, Bill belonged to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.  A member of the Knights of Columbus, he was a Third Degree Knight in the local St. John’s Council, and a Fourth Degree Knight in Our Lady of Victory Council in State College.

A frequent golfer, Bill was a member of the Lewistown Country Club for more than forty years.  He was a life member of the Mifflin County Historical Society, the Elks, and the Mifflin County Retired Teachers Association.  He also belonged to the Lewistown Moose and, for many years, was a fund raiser for the local chapter of the National Football College Hall of Fame.

Bill is also survived by his brothers, Joseph (wife Florence), of Denver, Pa., Frank (wife Terry), of Lansdale, Pa., and Jerry, of Ephrata, Pa., and numerous nieces and nephews.    

Bill was a man who gave life all he had to give.  When he was interested in something, he radiated enthusiasm.  This was evident in his friendships, his love for sports and especially for Penn State, the Eagles and the Phillies, and his teaching.  Most evident, though, was his love for his family and his church.  He always fought the hard fight, but this time he had no fight left and succumbed to a myriad of health issues.

A Mass of Christian Burial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 106 North Dorcas Street, Lewistown, with Father Jayaseelan Amalanathan officiating.

Graveside and committal services will be held Monday, June 7, 2021, at Juniata Memorial Park, 9010 US Hwy 522 South, Lewistown, with Father William Weary officiating and military honors by VFW Post 7011.

Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Homes, Woodlawn, Lewistown, is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, c/o Parish Office, 9 North Brown Street, Lewistown, PA 17044, or to the Mifflin County Library, 123 North Wayne Street, Lewistown, PA 17044.

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