John P. Kastendieck

June 19, 1946 - March 21, 2015

John Paul Kastendieck, 68, of South Wilkes-Barre passed away after a lengthy illness on Saturday. Born June 19, 1946 in Wilkes-Barre he was a son of the late John and Dorothy Dombrowski Kastendieck. Raised in Long Island, New York and at Harvey's Lake, John was a graduate of North Babylon High School. An Army veteran, he honorably served our country during the Vietnam Era. John retired as a Senior Manager after more than thirty-five years with Beneficial Finance Corporation. An avid scuba diver, John was instrumental in the formation of the Luzerne County Sheriff's Office Underwater Search and Rescue Unit which served the county for more than thirty years. He traveled to New Boro Lake in Canada several times yearly as an enthusiastic fisherman. As an expert marksman and a member of numerous law enforcement pistol teams he shot competitively in Secret Service matches and in many other tournaments on the east coast. John will be greatly missed by his children, Desiree and her husband Theron Bowers of Bloomsburg, John Thomas and Tyler Michael Kastendieck, at home; grandchildren, Kendra Alexis, Mary Catherine and Theron, Jr.; sister, Beth Dougherty; mother of his children, Theresa Engle-Kastendieck; nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Honoring his request, John’s life will be celebrated privately by his family. Memorial donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Project. Memories and condolences may be shared with John’s family at www.lifecelebrations.com