John M Raniowski

John Matthew Raniowski, 81, of Punxsutawney, passed away on October 27, 2023, at his home.

He was born on September 5, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Elizabeth “Libby” Raniowski.

John proudly served in the United States Army. After his military service, he went into retail and worked as a store manager. He cared greatly for his employees and established lasting friendships. His career eventually turned to life insurance where the needs of his customers and their families always came first.

He was a devoted member of the Church of the Resurrection in Rossiter. He was very active within the church and served as a member of the parish council. John was also a member of the Knights of Columbus where he held the position of the first faithful navigator of the new assembly and Punxsutawney Lions Club. John served on the school board at Saints Cosmos and Damian Church and was on the board of the local Women’s Shelter.

John enjoyed playing golf and loved sports in general and even coached basketball. The Philadelphia Eagles were his team, a team he never had to share with anyone else in the family. He could polka at a dizzying rate, and witnesses to his dancing were left in jaw-dropping awe. He was a devoted father and grandfather and took pride in being involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. John never hesitated to boast about them, and never passed up an opportunity to tell them how much they were loved.

John was proud to be a resident of Punxsutawney and loved giving back to his community. From past commissioner of the Punxsutawney Little Leage to volunteering with the local EMS driving dialysis patients, he brought joy to so many with his robust, easy laugh and was a man of genuine compassion and kindness. John will always be known as the “Polish Prince of Punxsutawney.”

John is survived by his loving wife Libby; three children: John, Elish, and Martin Raniowski; his daughters in-law, Ann Marie and Jenna Raniowski; four grandchildren: Cora, MacKenzie, Declan, and Anya Raniowski; and two sisters: Catherine Boyer of New Jersey and Margaret Ortt and her husband, Douglas, of Maryland.

John wanted to give back one more time and decided to donate his body to Science Care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his memory to St Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital: www.stjude.org, or Hero Kids Foundation: www.hkfva.org .

A memorial mass will be celebrated on December 16, 2023 at 1:00P.M. at the Church of the Resurrection in Rossiter. A celebration of life luncheon will immediately follow the mass at Rossiter VFW.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc. Punxsutawney.

Online tributes can be made at www.shumakerfh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John M Raniowski, please visit our floral store.