Joseph Stephen Kianka, 90, of Hopewell, NJ passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Langhorne, PA. Joe was born in Trenton, NJ and was a resident of Hopewell for more than 80 years. He was a member of the Hopewell Central High School graduating class of 1944.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy where he served on the USS Hamul and spent time stationed in the Pacific. During his career, he was employed by the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company, a former subsidiary of AT&T, and retired in 1983 after 39 years of service. He was a long-standing member of American Legion Post 339 in Hopewell, NJ where he served in several post positions including Past Commander and Adjutant. He was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus; a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and a member of the Hopewell Valley Veterans Association. He was an active parishioner of St. James Catholic Church in Pennington, NJ where he served as an usher.
Joe was one of seven brothers of the late John and Mary Kianka. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Valerie, and their children, a son Lawrence and his wife Cynthia of Levittown, PA; a daughter Linda Ann Robbins and her husband Douglas of Hopewell, NJ, and a son Phil and his wife Diane of Pennington, NJ. He was the proud grandfather of 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, Lindsay Burns and her husband Craig; their two children Gabrielle and Sean; Tim Kianka and his wife Nicole, Jaime Kianka and Laurel Robbins all of whom he enjoyed and adored immensely. He is also survived by 2 brothers, Stephen and his wife Maryanne of Springfield, OH; William and his wife Eileen of Hopewell, NJ and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Monday, April 10th at the Wilson Apple Funeral Home located at 2560 Pennington Road, in Pennington, NJ. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10am on Tuesday, April 11th at the St. James Catholic Church located at 115 East Delaware Avenue in Pennington, NJ. Interment will follow immediately at the Highland Cemetery located on North Greenwood Avenue in Hopewell, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the St. James Catholic Church in Pennington, NJ or The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA. Condolences may be made to www.WilsonApple.com
