Dr. Leo "Lavy" S. Oakchunas, 79, of Pittston, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 in Wesley Village, Jenkins Twp.

Dr. Oakchunas was born on Christmas Eve in 1943, in Plymouth, son of the late Leo A. and Adeline Rasemas Oakchunas. His parents owned and operated Lavi's Café on Main Street in Plymouth, PA in the 50's and 60's.

He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1961.  He went on to Palmer College of Chiropractic and graduated in 1966.  He then joined the Army and became a medic for four years during the Vietnam Conflict but was sent to Germany to work at a missile battery where he eventually made Specialist 5th Class.

He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1970.  In 1968 he married his wonderful wife, Marlene Melnick, who spent the last two years in Germany with him.

They came home to the Valley in 1970 and Dr. Oakchunas opened his chiropractic practice on Wyoming Avenue in Wyoming, PA.  He served many patients in the Wyoming Valley and Scranton areas for 52 years.

He was loved by many patients, family, and friends.  He was always ready to help friends and family when they needed him.

He served as president of the Shawnee Golf League which he started in 1978 for 20 years and the Shawnee Dart League which he started in 1981 for 39 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Pat Violini and her husband, Donald Violini; his sister, Marcella Drumetski and her husband, John Drumetski; and his brother-in-law, Edward Zawatski.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Marlene and their two sons, Dr. Leo A. Oakchunas and Brian Oakchunas; sister, Adeline Zawatski; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins who he loved deeply.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday from Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Maria Goretti Church, 42 Redwood Drive, Laflin.

Interment will follow in St. Casmir's Cemetery, Hunlock Creek, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen,  39 East Jackson St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.