John A. Mierzwa

John Anthony Mierzwa, 78, of Bethlehem, PA passed away at his home Sunday morning, April 24, 2011. Born August 27, 1932 in Breslau, PA, as the son of the late Stella Rabitski and Joseph Mierzwa. John celebrated 50 years of marriage with Marcia McQuiston Mierzwa on April 15, 2011.

John will be lovingly remembered by his wife Marcia, son John James Mierzwa, sister-in-law Gail McQuiston Bursk, brother-in-law Jack Bursk, son-in-law Kevin Wiechelt, and sons Jack and Kevin Wiechelt.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Karen Elizabeth Wiechelt.

John attended East High-Cleveland, and received degrees from Ohio University; B.S. 1954, and M.A. 1955. At East, John played clarinet in the All-State Band, at Ohio he served as president of Lambda Chi Alpha, and president of the Interfraternity Council. After enlisting in the US Air Force, he was honorably discharged in 1957 as a Captain.

John resumed school with degrees from Harvard University; M. Ed. 1958, and Ed. D. 1961. There he met Marcia. John held faculty positions at: the University of Texas Austin, the University of California Santa Barbara, and the University of Pennsylvania, before beginning his 30 year tenure at the Lehigh University College of Education. In 1997, Lehigh honored John as Professor Emeritus of Counseling Psychology.

As a musician and audiophile, he developed his love of classical, folk, and especially American jazz music.John's interests included magic, woodworking, photography, electronics, and amateur radio as N3MM.

Without question, John's greatest love was and is his family and friends.

SERVICES

A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Connell Funeral Home 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 from 11 AM to 1 PM followed by a Memorial Service at 1 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made in John's name to Notre Dame Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18018.