Andrew P. Kaplafka

Andrew P. Kaplafka , 96, Girardville, died peacefully Saturday at Schuylkill Medical Center, East, Pottsville.

Born in Connerton he was a son of the late Andrew and Mary " Shagen " Kaplafka. He had been a self-employed coal miner in the area until 1962 when he joined local # 524 of the pipe fitters union.

He was an army veteran of WWII having served in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was a devout member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Girardville, life member of both the Girardville and Mahanoy City VFW, Shenandoah Heights Fire Co. and Lost Creek Citizens Fire Co., and was also a member of D.A.V., Frackville Senior Citizens, Pipe Fitters Union, local # 524, and a former member of both the Frackville and Mahanoy City American Legion Posts.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years the former Marie " Coyle " Kaplafka in 2007, his great-granddaughter Sara Ashley Eye, three brothers; George, John and Joseph Kaplafka and three sisters; Anna Bias, Helen Zangaro and Mary Kaplafka.

He is survived by his three daughters; Janice wife of John Anthony and Andrea wife of Robert Eye Jr. both of Frackville and Judith Kaplafka, Lost Creek and her companion Brian Flanigan,, his son Ronald Kaplafka, FL and his companion Annmarie Michaels, six grandchildren; Mark and John Tyler Anthony, Timothy Eye, Tiffany "Eye" Himic, Linda "Kaplafka" Richards and Crystal "Kaplafka " DiNofa, eight great-grandchildren; Niklas, Diana, Mia and Gianna Anthony, Alliyah DiNofa, Michael Richards, Giavanna DiNofa and Logan Himic.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Girardville, with Rev. Edward B. Connolly, pastor, as the celebrant. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fountain Springs. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. and on Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until time of mass.

The family prefers contributions, in Andrews name, to the Memorial Fund of St. Joseph's Church, Girardville.