Francis John Nikolaj Kotsur, 78, of 78 Broad St., Beaver Meadows, died Tuesday evening at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born in Beaver Meadows, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary (Krupa) Kotsur.
Francis was a member of St. Stephens Russian Orthodox Church, Old Forge.
He served in the Navy.
Prior to retiring, Francis was a Pennsylvania State Policeman from 1951 to 1981, retiring from Troop R, Dunmore, as a corporal. He received the 1969 State Policeman of the Year Award.
He was a member of the FOP O’Rourke Memorial Lodge 38.
Francis was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman, chief warden of Tunkhann Fishing Association, a master woodworker, a steam locomotive enthusiast, active in his church and enjoyed spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, Francis was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ellen Nicro; and a brother, Eugene.
Surviving are a son, Rick Markich, and his wife, Debora, Harmony; sisters, Elizabeth Musial, Weatherwood; and Suzanne Bzdil, Drifton; grandchildren, Jennifer Brumley, Richard E. Markich Jr. and Lauren and Alexander Markich; great-grandchildren, Jesse and Gabe Bromley and Aidan and Nadia Markich; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. from Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc., 542 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton.
Divine Liturgy with Office of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon in Christ the Savior Russian Orthodox Church, Sugar Notch.
Interment will take place in Ss. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Coxeville.
Friends and relatives may call at the funeral home today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Parastas will be held today at 7 p.m.
Donations in Francis’ memory to Lupus Foundation of America Inc., 200 L St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036, would be appreciated by the family.
Enlisted: 11/15/1951 Retired: 05/29/1981 DOB: 06/05/1930 Died: 01/13/2009
PA Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 38 