CORAOPOLIS — John Kijowski, born June 11, 1929, in Wilmerding, son of Polish immigrants Jozef Kijowski and Rozalia Mary Szpak, passed away peacefully in Pittsburgh on Dec. 10, 2025, just months after the passing of Marlene, his wife of 67 years.

He is survived by his sons, Mark and Michael.

With the help of funding from the Army ROTC program, John attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, John was sent to Korea with the 10th Engineer Combat battalion, 3D Infantry Division, and in 1952 received the Purple Heart for having ascertained the location of an unmarked minefield.

Following his discharge, John worked at Westinghouse Electric, where he met Marlene. In 1975, the family relocated to Bradford, where he lived until last year.

John was a creative artist and craftsman and built displays for the Landmark Society and Crook Farm. He also designed and created his own line of March 4th greeting cards, playing off the date’s homonym. Having an interest in theology, he was an active member of Emanuel Lutheran Church and led bible study groups. As an avid reader of history, he inspired Michael and his wife, Kristen, to become French and Indian war reenactors.

John enjoyed traveling with Marlene; they visited Belgium and India together, and took advantage of Mark and his wife, Kristen’s, expat assignments to visit Australia, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, France, China and Korea.

In his later years, John dedicated most of his time to caring for Marlene as she struggled with dementia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.