Obituary of Joseph B. Yessen, Jr.

Joseph B. Yessen Jr., 83, of Tunkhannock, PA, died Friday, January 29, 2021 at Allied Hospice, Scranton, PA, after a courageous battle with cancer. His wife is the former Irene McKalotz. They were married Oct. 17, 1964.

Born May 31, 1937, in Forest City, PA, he was the son of the late Joseph Sr. and Marie Cost Yessen. Joseph was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Carbondale, PA, and retired as a lieutenant colonel in the 28th Infantry Division of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

He worked his entire life as a sales person and service manager in the automobile industry for numerous local car dealerships before retiring from Burne Cadillac, Scranton, PA.

He enjoyed golfing, fishing, model trains, traveling, NASCAR and watching the New York Yankees. His greatest joy was his time spent with his family.

He is survived by two sons, Joseph B. Yessen III and wife, Paula of Erie, Colo.; and David J. Yessen and wife, Camille, of Washington, D.C.; three grandchildren, Joseph B. Yessen IV, Nikita Rayne Yessen and Joaquin Deya Yessen; a sister, Barbara Gentile and husband, Billy, of Crystal Lake, PA; and three nieces.

Services are private at the family's convenience with interment at St. John Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Forest City, PA.

Arrangements are under the care of the Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., Carbondale, PA.

Memorial donations in Joseph's name can be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.