John J. Murach August 13, 1925 - May 17, 2023

John J. Murach, 97, of Allentown, formerly of Coopersburg, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2023 at the Phoebe Home, Allentown, PA.  Born in 1925, he was the son of the late Joseph and Anna (Stzenska) Murach. He was the husband of the late Sarah Josephine Murach (Leiby) until her death in 1974.

In 1942, at the age of seventeen, he joined the US Marine Corps. PFC J. J. Murach served with the I/24 th  Marines, an infantry unit of the 4th  Marine Division, for the next three years. With the division he took part in the four Pacific island campaigns of Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima, where he was witness to the iconic raising of the Stars and Stripes on Mount Suribachi. He remained immensely proud of his time with the Marines for the rest of his life.

After his service, John completed his high school degree and graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. John was a devout Catholic, and was a longtime and active member at St. Joseph’s R.C.C. – Limeport.  He volunteered his time serving as a commentator and a CCD teacher.

John taught the baseball clinics in Coopersburg for a number of years and helped many youngsters learn the basics of the game. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed sharing that hobby with this family. He worked for Bethlehem Steel as a process control engineer before retiring in the 1980’s.  Retirement gave him an opportunity to engage in several hobbies including photography and dancing. He started his own photography business and did weddings, sports teams and some studio work. He was a dancer in the Lehigh Valley Ballet Guild’s annual Nutcracker Suite for many years.

John also loved gardening and during his time at Sacred Heart Independent Living he helped start a vegetable garden and helped maintain it. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, playing bingo, and spending time with his friends and family.  While living at Country Meadows he was referred to as “Puzzle John” for his passion for jigsaw puzzles. He also loved baking and enjoyed purchasing unique kitchen gadgets and cookbooks to give to his family during the holidays.

John is survived by his children John (Janice), Pauline (Sue), Joseph (Donna), Mary (Martin), and Teresa (Robin), grandchildren Brad, Greg, Kevin, Michael, Brian, Colin, Brent, Evan, Tasha, Dorian, and Hadrian, 7 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was predeceased by his sister Helena, and his son James.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 19, 2023 at St. Joseph’s R.C.C. – Limeport, 5050 St Josephs Rd, Coopersburg, PA 18036, at 10:00 AM.  A visitation will be held prior to mass from 9-10 AM.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Toys for Tots, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Gift Processing Administrator 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive Triangle, VA 22172.