James A. Panek, 69, of Lawrenceville died Friday at the Lawrenceville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was a lifelong area resident having lived in Titusville for 22 years and Lawrenceville for 20 years.
He had attended Princeton High School and finished his education in the U.S. Navy. He was a Navy veteran, having served on the USS Blair DE 147 and the USS Arcadia D-23.
He was an auto technician for 27 years, retiring from Teamsters Local 35 in 2002.
A member of Teamsters Local #35, Lawrence Township, he also was a member of American Legion Post 414 and Trenton Lodge #105 B.P.O.E.
Son of the late John and Gertrude Frank Panek, he is survived by his wife Ruth Watlington Panek; two sons; James Guy Panek and his wife Denise of New Egypt, and Brian Scott Panek and his wife Stacy of Lawrenceville; four grandchildren, Samantha, Jason, Cody and Brianna Panek; a mother-in-law, Hazel Watlington; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Almeyda and William Prickett, Thomas and Jean Watlington, Richard and Tina Watlington and Juanita McLaughlin; two aunts, Rose Wetzel and Mary Panek; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. from Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, with the Rev. William Schaub officiating.
Burial will be in the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Friends may call on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The Elks will hold a service at 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
