John S. Seamon, Jr.

John S. Seamon, Jr., 89, of Hazleton, passed away quietly on Wednesday afternoon at The Laurels Senior Living Community, Hazleton. 

Born in Tresckow, he was the son of the late John and Catherine (Zrelock) Seamon, Sr.

John was a Korean War veteran serving in the U.S. Navy. 

He was a former member of Holy Rosary R.C. Church, Hazleton.

“You are the wind beneath my wings.” That is a line from a song that was once sung to John, by a former student and ambassador at the Helping Hands Society, which John founded. That line is relatable to many of us who were touched by John’s life. His services at Helping Hands reached thousands of children and families over the years, and to those of us who were lifted by John, he is the reason we soared.

John’s career started after his graduation from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, and College Misericordia with a Master’s Degree in Speech Therapy. His journey began at College Misericordia where he was a travelling speech therapist and moved on to work for the Crippled Children Association and the local Easter Seals Society.

Striving to provide as many services as possible at no cost to families, John made the decision to break away from Easter Seals and form the Helping Hands Society, which to this day serves hundreds of special needs and typical children each year.

John was an original board member of C.H.H.I.P.S., the Committee to Help Handicapped Infants and Parents Succeed, which is still active in supporting infants from the Greater Hazleton Area with a disabling condition reach their full potential.

John retired from Helping Hands in 2012 and continued to represent the agency at public events. He was a member of the Hazleton Elks, The Slovak Club, The Swing Club, and the Young Men’s Polish Association.

Preceding him in death, were his wife Virginia ‘Ginger’ (Russo) Seamon; and sisters Johanna Wisemiller, Ceil Price, and Marie Richie.

Surviving, are his daughter Rosemarie Stump and husband Wayne of Hazleton; son John L. ‘Jack’ Seamon of Ocean City, MD; grandson Robert Devigili; brother Donald Seamon and wife Jane of Hazleton; sister Catherine Yurkanin and husband John of Hazleton; brother Robert Seamon of Hazleton; and nieces and nephews also survive.

His funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday at the Damiano Funeral Home, Inc., McAdoo. Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, McAdoo.

Calling hours are Monday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Helping Hands Society, 301 Rocky Rd., Hazleton, PA 18201.

 Condolences may be entered and information is available at www.damianofhinc.com.

“Now it’s your turn to soar, John!”

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