Friday, December 24, 2021

Pottsville's Chief Remarks on Passing of Dedicated Fire Department Member


Pottsville Fire Chief Jim Misstishin has commented on the passing of John Wollyung, a member of the City's fire department, due to COVID-19. 

In a statement, Chief Misstishin stated:

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness the Pottsville Fire Department has to announce the death of John Wollyung, age 57. John was a Firefighter/EMT of the Yorkville Hose Company # 1, Pottsville, Pa. John died of Coronavirus complications. He is survived by his wife Marianne, son Christopher, his Mother Barbara, and brothers Mike and Joseph Jr.

John was the President of the Yorkville Hose Company, past Asst. Fire Chief for the City of Pottsville, for two terms, current Duty Chief, held line offices as Captain and Lieutenant, served on the Pottsville Fireman’s Relief Board of Fire Trustees, EMT working with Schuylkill EMS. John joined the Pottsville Lions Ambulance explorer program at the age 14 which is now Schuylkill EMS, working part time as an EMT. John was a Partner in Rosenberger Plumbing and Heating.

John joined the Yorkville Hose Company at age 21, having 36 very active years of serving the Yorkville Hose Company, City of Pottsville, and all of our Mutual Aid Municipalities. John was a leader for building Yorkville Hose Company as an elite Rescue Company not only for the city but Schuylkill County and beyond. He was the person you wanted to be friends with, he would do anything for everyone. He was a loving husband, great father and the firefighter you wanted with you.

This is a very sad loss for the Wollyung family, Yorkville Hose Company and Pottsville Fire Department family. The Fire Department is every firefighter’s second family. 

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 8th at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 913 Mahantongo St., Pottsville with Father David J. Loeper and Msgr. William Glosser as celebrants. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 7th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville and on Saturday morning in church from 8:30 a.m. until time of Mass.

Interment will follow in St. John #2 Cemetery, Pottsville.

The family requests contributions in John's memory be sent to: Yorkville Hose Company, P.O. Box 1222, Pottsville, PA 17901

Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.