EDWARDSVILLE — Frank J. (Slugger) Walkowiak, 89, of Edwardsville, and formerly of the Brookside section of Wilkes-Barre, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, at the Celtic Hospice Inpatient Unit at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre, after a brief illness.

Frank was born on March 7, 1927, in Plains Township, the son of the late Frank Walkowiak and Elizabeth Sekel Walkowiak Everett. He attended the local schools and served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Bogue in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Frank was then employed by Friedman's Express as a truck driver and retired after 40 years. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying fishing and hunting with his brothers at their cabin. Frank also enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden, canning and cooking, and hanging out with his buddies at the Wyoming Valley Mall.

He was a member of St. Andre Bessette Parish, Wilkes-Barre, and attended St. Stanislaus Kostka Church for over 50 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Delores (Kardel) Walkowiak, in 2014, the love of his life with whom he shared 63 years together; his twin brother, Edward, in 2014; and sister, Leona Liscavage, in 2010.

Frank is survived by his sisters, Florence Melli, and her husband, Vincent, of Buffalo, N.Y., Eleanor Donati, of Wilkes-Barre; brothers, Carl Walkowiak and his wife, Pat, Joseph Walkowiak and his wife, Carol, all of Wilkes-Barre; son, Frank Walkowiak and his wife, Regina, of Wilkes-Barre; three daughters, Linda Montville and her husband, Robert, of Plains Township, Diane Grega and her husband, Dave, of Kingston, Denise Ulichney and her husband, John, of Wilkes-Barre. He was known as "Pop" to his nine grandchildren, Ian and Jacob Walkowiak, Bobby and Matthew Montville, David Grega and his wife, Sarah, and Danielle Grega, Jaclyn, Johnny and Jolene Ulichney; several nieces and nephews.

A special thanks to the nurses, aides and volunteers at the Celtic Hospice Inpatient Unit at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre where Frank received compassionate care during the final days of his illness.

The funeral will be 9:30 a.m. Monday from E. Blake Collins Funeral Home, 159 George Ave., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Andre Bessette Parish/St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in St. Ignatius Cemetery, Pringle. Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Condolences can be sent to the family at: www.eblakecollins.com.