John Joseph Koltuniak, Sr.

   John Joseph Koltuniak, Sr., 83, of Elizabeth City, NC, died Thursday, December 1, 2016 in Sentara Albemarle Medical Center.

   Mr. Koltuniak was born in Pittsburgh, PA on June 16, 1933, and was the son of the late Alexander Franklin and Mary Pearl Koltuniak. A retired funeral director and embalmer, he had served families in the Albemarle area for over 35 years, and with other employments had spent a total of 50 years in funeral service. A Catholic by faith, he was a former member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Elizabeth City Cosmopolitan Club. A veteran of the Korean War, he had served in the United States Marine Corps.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Beatrice, Dorothy, and Mimi.

   Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Catherine Deloise Reynolds "Jinks" Koltuniak; his daughter, Verda Tesso and husband Tony of Elizabeth City; two sons, John J. "Joey" Koltuniak, Jr. and wife Doreen of Elizabeth City and Aubrey Koltuniak and wife Lori of Hertford; a sister, Ester Straznick of Pittsburgh; four grandchildren, Tamra, Christine, Andrea, and Danielle; and four great-grandchildren, Katlyn, Jerrick, Haylee, and Alyssa.

   Funeral services will be held Monday at 2:00 p.m. in the mausoleum chapel at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Elizabeth City, and will be officiated by his longtime friend, The Rev. F. Joe Griffith. Miller & Van Essendelft, Funeral and Cremation Providers, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, is assisting the family with arrangements.