John B. Belinsky, Sr.

JOHN  B.  BELINSKY,   SR.

John B. Belinsky, Sr., age 89, 110 Cross Road, Bloomsburg, died at 11:10 a. m. Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville where he was a patient for  three weeks.

Born in Berwick on July 1, 1921, he was a son of the late Albert and Martha (Kasparavich) Belinsky. He was a 1939 graduate of Berwick High School and resided in Bloomsburg for much of his lifetime.

He was employed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. for more than 30 years and was the Sales Manager of the Bloomsburg office when he retired in 1983. He also served as a vice-president of the former Columbia Life Insurance Co., Bloomsburg.

John was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bloomsburg. He was a life member of the Bloomsburg Elks Lodge 436; Military Order of the Purple Heart; Ft. McClure Post 804, VFW; Valley of Bloomsburg Post 273, American Legion; and the Disabled American Veterans. He also belonged to the Montour Township Fire Co.

He was active in many insurance industry groups including the Central Pennsylvania Life Underwriters Association and the Susquehanna Life Underwriters Association, of which he was a past president.

John's hobbies included cooking for his family and spending time in his workshop.

He served with the US Army during World War II and was wounded in action in France while serving under General George Patton with the 9th Armored Infantry Battalian of the 6th Armored Infantry Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart; the World War II Victory Medal; and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Medal. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant.

John was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Dawn Kahler, on Sept. 14, 1981; and by two sisters: Anne Avigdor and Nell Lehnowsky.

Surviving are his wife, Betty J. (Breech) McMahan, with whom he celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary on Oct. 10, 2010; six children: John B. Belinsky, Jr.; Richard D. Belinsky; Patricia Kahler; Stephen R. McMahan; Deborah J. Marino; Darla M. Case; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Belinsky, Berwick; and a brother, Albert Belinsky, Jr., Montrose.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a. m. in St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 123 N. Market St., Bloomsburg, with his pastor, Rev.  Joel L. Zeiders officiating. The family will receive friends in the Church parlor from 10-11 a. m.
Ft. McClure Post 804, VFW will provide military honors.

The family will provide flowers. Memorials may be sent to the Wounded Warriors Project, 7020 A. C. Skinner Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

Arrangements have been entusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc. Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg.