Donald J. Panichi, 81, of Mildred, died Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at the Personal Care Home at Guthrie Towanda Memorial Hospital.
Born October 21, 1936 in Sayre, he was a son of the late Nicholas John and Mary Grace (Josbena) Panichi.
Donald was a Korean War veteran who served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy as a submariner for 20 years, and retired in 1991 from the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier.
Donald dedicated his life to Free Masonry and served as Past Master Union-Wyalusing Lodge No. 108, Towanda, Past High Priest Union Royal Arch Chapter, Towanda, Past Thrice Illustrious Master, Northern Council #24, Athens, Past Commander, Northern Commander #16, Towanda, Past Eminent Prior, Penn Priory #6, Mechanicsburg, Past Illustrious King, Council of Anoited Kings of PA, Past Worthy Master, St. Thomas of Acon, Pilgrim Chapel #1, Pittsburgh, Past Very Eminent Prectptor, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, Hazelton, Past Sovereign Master, Northeastern Coucil #333 Allied Masonic Degrees, Towanda, Past Grand Goverenor of PA, York Rite Soveriegn College of North America, Past Governor, Northeastern York Rite College #102, Towanda, Past Soveriegn, St. James Conclave, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, Shamokin, and Past Knightly Priest Gallicantu Tabernacle #75, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, Hazelton. He was also Holder of Grand Council Membership Apron, Grand Council of Royal and Select Master of Masons of PA, a member of Royal Order of Scotland, member of Irem Shriners, Dallas, member of Northeast Council #74 Knight Masons, Hazelton, member of Sullivan Forest #210, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Athens, Past Thirce Potent Master Valley of Towanda AASR, and member of Williamsport Concistory AASR. He received the Meritorius Service Award, PA Council of Deliberation and an Honorary Member of Supreme Council 33 AASR 1, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
He is survived by his only brother, Robert N. (Joyce A.) Panichi of Dushore.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, February 5, at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 119 Carpenter Street, Dushore, with Rev. Phyllis A. Pelletier officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Mildred. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home where a Masonic Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.mccartythomas.com.
