Jacob Napotnik

NAPOTNIK - Jacob, 80, Seward, passed away Aug. 17, 2009, at home. He was born May 29, 1929, to Jacob and Stella (Juni). He was drafted into the service in 1951, and was stationed in France after basic. Honorably discharged as a corporal, he returned to the family farm. In 1953, he met and married his wife, Imelda Ann Niessner, RN. Together they built their home and raised their family. The need for steady employment brought him to the desire to begin his own business. First in the basement of their home and then several years later a garage was constructed and included traveling to job sites. Like all family businesses, the entire family was a part of its growth along side him. Jake, as he was known to all, enjoyed mechanics, was a much in demand boilermaker and enjoyed the art or iron work. With those skills he built several successful businesses. His skills as a mechanic, metal worker and designer led to new innovations passed on to truck manufactures. His heated truck bed, designed for the Pennsylvania winters, amazed designers and outperformed expectations. He received offers from major companies to design and build new products. He enjoyed sharing his great wealth of knowledge with any who asked. But his heart was his family business, Napotnik Welding, and there he spent his time, energies and wisdom until his death. He had wonderful blessings during his life. His loving wife at his side for 56 years. The closeness of his children who saw him daily. And the great joy of good friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, and grandchildren, Jacob and Rachel. He is survived by his wife, Imelda; their children, Susan; Norman, married to Robin (Shaulis); Janet; and Richard, married to Patricia (McCachren); grandchildren, Benjamin, Nathan, Kendra, Breeann and R. Max; sisters, Erana Kwisnek, Blairsville, and Denise Verba, Dilltown; and brother, Richard, Winter Garden, Fla. He will be sadly missed by Pepper and Bandit. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and also 2 to 4 and until time of funeral service at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Jon A. Meese Funeral Home, 1201 Fifth St., Seward, Joel Kincaid officiating with a memorial talk. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Armagh Cemetery, Robert Zimmerman officiating. Please visit www.meesefuneralhome.com for online condolences

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