John Francis Kostelnik Jr.

John F. Kostelnik Jr., 92, of Henderson, Nevada, formerly of Willowick, Ohio, passed away November 9, 2025. Born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania on December 16, 1932, John served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War as part of the Air Rescue Service.

He married the love of his life MaryEllen on February 13, 1954, shortly after returning from Korea. They shared 58 amazing years of marriage until her passing from Alzheimer’s in 2012. In her final years John cared for MaryEllen with extraordinary devotion, tenderness and selfless love, a shining example of love that his family will carry forever.

John worked 40 years for The Lincoln Electric Company, where he served as President of the Employees Association. He was Past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 4498 (Willowick), Past Grand Commander of the Mahdi Caravan of the Order of Alhambra, and a member of the 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus in Lake County, Ohio. He was also active in the VFW, American Legion (Henderson, NV), and the Air Force Association.

John is survived by his three children—John Kostelnik III(Linda) Kathy Straka (John) and MaryBeth Helmick (David ) nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, with another expected in February 2026. He was immensely proud of his family and especially delighted in his role as “Papa” and “Great Papa.”Nothing in the world meant more to John than family.

He will be remembered for his generous spirit, his gregarious personality, and most of all for his devotion to his family.

A viewing and visitation will be held on December 8th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., followed immediately by the funeral service at Palms Eastern Mortuary, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123.

The family would like to invite all who knew and loved John to join them for a Celebration of John's Life with food and refreshments immediately following the funeral service.