John S. “Roxx” Marafka Jr., 87, of Iselin, PA, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Veterans Oakland Hospital in Pittsburgh. A son of John S. Marafka Sr. and Johanna M. (Ploskunak) Marafka, he was born February 17, 1938, in Iselin, the eldest of nine children.

John excelled as an athlete, participating in football, basketball, baseball and track (hurdles) at Elders-Ridge High School. Upon graduation in 1956, he continued his athletic pursuits by playing baseball for local township and Indiana County league teams.  In 1959, John achieved a lifelong dream when he signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates joining their Class D Midwestern League, where he played left field alongside Willie Stargell and other notable players. Shortly after marrying the love of his life, Josephine Ann Danilowicz, in 1961, he was drafted into the United States Army 3rd Infantry Division and served his country as a Military Police Officer in Germany and Italy. While serving his country, he was selected to play in and represent the American baseball team to entertain the troops. His passion for sports extended to umpiring high school and county league baseball, coaching Junior/Senior Legion baseball, and refereeing high school basketball games for over 30 years. In recognition of his commitment to sports, John was inducted into the Indiana County PA Sports Hall of Fame for Baseball in 2011.

John was a dedicated husband, Dad and Pap, who worked hard to support his family, modeling the value of a solid work ethic for them. In his earlier years, he worked for Streams Tree Farm trimming and planting pine trees.  He had also been employed by the Ohio Brass Co., Robertshaw Controls Co., Z&L Lumber Co., and Carter Lumber Co. before retiring from Lezzer Lumber of Indiana.

John enjoyed hunting, gardening, playing cards, harvesting wild mushrooms and ginseng, and watching the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers play. But his greatest pleasure was found in fly fishing.  He loved his entire family and enjoyed family reunions, dancing to Polka music, and drinking a cold beer.  Above all, his grandchildren brought him the greatest joy. He was the proudest Pap sharing in their accomplishments.

John was a member of the former Holy Cross Catholic Church in Iselin, St. Matthew Catholic Church in Saltsburg, Saltsburg American Legion Post 57, Blackleggs Trout Nursery, Yellow Breeches Angler Conservation, and past Chief and Charter member of the Iselin Vol. Fire Co.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, JoAnn of Iselin; four daughters, Bernadette Shaffer (Lance) of Washington Township (Apollo), Lynnette Colton (Chuck) of Spring Church, Brigette Marafka (Doug Shupe) of Iselin, and Heather Shearer (Jeremy) of Iselin; seven grandchildren, Johnathan Cooper, Ethan Cooper, Tanner Colton, Lainie Shearer, Steven Shaffer, Javan Shearer, and Matt Shupe; siblings, Patricia “Patsy” Eisenman (William “Bill”) of Indiana, Elizabeth “Liz” Whitesel of Saltsburg, Richard “Paul” Marafka (Joyce) of Middletown; James “Jim” Marafka of Virginia Beach, VA, Dorothy Royer (Joel) of Indiana,  Janet Marafka of Indiana, Pamela “Pam” McGeary (Jim) of Indiana; brother-in-law, Paul Danilowicz of Canton, OH; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and Godchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Lillian Good; brother-in-law, Norman “Huey” Whitesel; and sister-in-law, Anne Danilowicz.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the Veterans Indiana Clinic and Oakland Hospital doctors, nurses and staff for their extraordinary care and compassion provided to John and his family.

Friends will be welcomed by his family on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 3-8 p.m. at the Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main St., Leechburg, PA 15656 (724-842-1051).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Noon on Friday, December 5, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 109 Owens View Ave., Apollo, PA 15613, with the Rev. Thomas More Sikora, O.S.B., as celebrant. Everyone attending is asked to please go directly to the church. Private interment will be held in Iselin Union Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Saltsburg American Legion Post 57. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of John be made to the Miracle League of Indiana County (where his grandsons play baseball), 60 Ben Franklin Rd. North, Indiana, PA 15701.