John K. Parana, 89, of 326 Clarion Rd., Johnsonburg, PA died Thursday evening, February 23, 2023 at home surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness.

He was born on December 14, 1933 in Johnsonburg a son to the late Joseph and Anna Gluch Parana. On June 6, 1963 he married the love of his life, Karen A. Wensel and she survives.

John was a lifelong resident of Johnsonburg and was a graduate of Johnsonburg High School. He was a Vitenam Era Army Vet serving as a PFC with the 54th NIKE Battallion at Ft. Meade and Aberdeen, MD and he also served 4 years in the Army Reserves.

John had worked for Russ Construction, PennTech Papers and as a draftsman for Stackpole Carbon Co. in Johnsonburg and St. Marys and was the street superintendent for Johnsonburg Boro until he found his dream job; He retired in 2002 after 30 years of service with the Pennsylvania DCNR where he was maintenance supervisor of Bendigo, Elk and Kinzua State Parks. He loved his job! He and his brother George also had a contracting business painting houses and siding and roofing houses.

John was a member of Holy Rosary Church and had been a member of Central Hose Co. where he was a fireman for many years and served several terms as president and vice-president. He had served two separate times on the Johnsonburg Borough Council. He loved camp, and the outdoors. Family was a Keystone in his life.

John is survived by his wife Karen at home, a son John W. Parana of Johnsonburg, three daughters; Kisa Tomaski and her partner Bart O’Leary, Trina, Mrs. Tom DeStephano and Teri Parana of St. Marys, 6 grandchildren; Morgan McDermott, Kyle McNeel, Tyler Tomaski, Vincent DeStephano, Shannon McKinney and Jacob DeStephano, 7 great-grandchildren and his special brothers; Edward George Parana of Wilcox and Thomas Parana and his wife Carol of Johnsonburg. A brother-in-Law Darrell W. Wensel and his wife Connie of State College and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, John is predeceased by a brother Joseph Parana, sisters Annie Parana in infancy, Mary Ann Kreckel, Patricia Peterson, Helen Wickett, Agnes Manno and Kathryn Kocjancic, his uncle Paul Gluch a cousin Mary A “Bobo” Knapik and his in-laws Clarence and Ester Wensel.

Friends and Family are invited to attend a Funeral Service for John K. Parana to be conducted at the Anthony F Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services Chapel, 401 Chestnut Street, Johnsonburg, PA on Monday, February 27, 2023 at 11 AM with Fr. David Wilson, Pastor of Holy Rosary Church as celebrant. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 AM on Monday morning. Interment will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Johnsonburg.

Military Honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg-Ridgway Servicemen’s Detail. Detail Members are asked to assemble at the funeral home Monday morning at 10:30 AM.

If desired, memorial contributions should be made to the Johnsonburg Public Library, 520 Market St., Johnsonburg, PA 15845, the Johnsonburg Community Center, 600 Market St., Johnsonburg, PA 15845 or the Elk County Humane Society, 1029 E. Eschbach Rd., St. Marys, PA 15857.