John Joseph Anstett

The most wonderful husband, father, and friend died peacefully in his sleep after a brief illness on April 24, 2026.

John J. Anstett, 84, born September 19, 1941, was the son of Leona C. (Kisslo) and John N. Anstett of Wilkes-Barre.

John was a 1959 graduate of St Nicholas High School, a 1970 graduate of King's College earning a degree in Business Administration, and also studied economics at The George Washington University.

John was the broker/owner of John Anstett & Co, Realtors. He was a realtor for over 40 years and held Realtor Emeritus status with the National Association of Realtors. He also served as the Luzerne County Chief Assessor and was the Wilkes-Barre City Assessor at the time of his passing. He was a retired adjunct faculty member at King's College, where he taught real estate in the McGowan School of Business for 28 years.

In the early 60s, John served four years of active duty with the Marine Corps. He was a proud Marine and a member of VFW Post 283 and the Marine Corps League.

Returning home from the Marines, John met Carol Demmeck, and they went on to be soulmates for 61 years, married for close to 58 of those years. During their marriage, John and Carol were blessed with two beautiful children, of whom John could not have been prouder: Erica and Johnny.

While running his company, teaching, working for the county and city, and raising two children, John still found time to fight for and strengthen the community that he believed in and loved. His energy knew no bounds.

John was Chapter Chairman of the Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross and was instrumental in negotiating the building of the American Red Cross Chapter House in Hanover Township. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Youth Center. John was an active member of the Scranton Diocese Board of Education, the Wilkes-Barre Kiwanis Club, Step by Step, Inc., Ecumenical Enterprises Inc., and a life member of St. Conrad's Young Men's Society.

John also found time to help coach sports, including youth soccer with the Wilkes-Barre Cosmos and South Wilkes-Barre Teeners League Baseball with Astro Car Wash. He was also very involved in American Legion Baseball.

A lifetime member of St. Nicholas Church, John served as lector, President of the Holy Name Society, a member of several parish committees, and ran the bratwurst booth at the church bazaar for decades.

John loved the summertime and being outside in general. If he couldn't be outside, he wanted to be in a room with a lot of windows! He loved listening to his Phillies, especially in the summertime by the pool, and was a huge Eagles fan, holding season tickets for many years.

John was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Joan Yoshida, of San Diego, CA.

He is survived by his heartbroken family: his wife, Carol; his daughter, Erica and husband, Edward Stehle of Philadelphia; his son, John and partner Kate Thomas of Wilkes-Barre; his brother-in-law, Joseph Demmeck and wife, Babetta of Houston; nephew, Christopher Demmeck and wife, Emily of Houston; several cousins and many friends.

Celebration of John’s Life begins Thursday, April 30, 2026, with visitation from 4 to 7 PM at McLaughlin’s, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. It continues on Friday, May 1, 2026, with visitation starting at 10 AM and a Funeral Mass at 11 AM in the Church of Saint Nicholas, 226 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre.

Share memories and condolences with John’s family at mjmclaughlin.com