Oliver James Behm

Mr. Oliver James Behm, 64, a lifelong resident of the North End section of the city, fell asleep in the Lord at his home unexpectedly Sunday afternoon.

Born July 12, 1953 in Harrisburg, he was the son to the late Oliver Amos and Elizabeth (Wasinda) Behm.

Educated locally, Oliver was a graduate of the Saint Mary's Byzantine Catholic Parochial School in 1967; a 1971 graduate of the James M. Coughlin High School Wilkes-Barre, where he was a member of the National Honor Society Vocational Electrical Program. He attended the Foley-Beslaw School of Small Combustion Engine Repair in Kansas City, MO; and furthered his education by attaining his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the former Wilkes College in 1976. He then took extensive Master's Degree courses at Wilkes in the study of Business Administration from 1977 until 1981.

He realized a number of awards and citations over the years including the rank of Dean's List at Wilkes in 1973; Was "Patriot of the Year" in 2001 and 2002 from the Hospitalized Veterans Organization, and was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Disabled Veterans Association.

He was a an active member of Holy Assumption of Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church North Wilkes-Barre, where he held annual membership in the parish "300 Club"; was previously a member of the altar boy society from 1959-1967 and would often participate in various ethnic food festivals at church.

Holding our nation's heroes close to his heart, he was a member of several support organizations for the AMVETS, The Military Family Assistance organization as well as the Walter Reid Hospital casualty Assistance organization for Iraqi and Afghanistan war veterans.

He was a support member of the Knights of Columbus at Saint Mary's Church, gave aid to the homeless and depressed veterans of the Vietnam Conflict, A food supply association support member for the Iraqi and Afghanistan Soldiers; Participated in voter awareness for the Pro-Life Society; served as an advertising sign distributor for the annual parish festival and would distribute educational materials for the Kirby Health Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Previously, Mr. Behm was employed as a laboratory instructor for the electrical engineering course at Penn State University Wilkes-Barre campus; worked in the Eugene Farley Library of Wilkes University and in the mailing room of the Times Leader newspaper, Wilkes-Barre.

Left to mourn his passing are his sister, Mrs. Mary C. Tomeo and her husband Mel of Mountain Top; Nieces and nephews, including Tom Manganiello and his wife Rebecca of Richardson, TX, Mel Tomeo of Pittsburgh, Lisa Hahn and her husband Michael, Mountain Top and Tony Tomeo also of Mountain Top; Several great-nieces and a great-nephew.

Funeral services with Panachida for Oliver will be conducted on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. from the North Wilkes-Barre chapel of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 625 North Main Street followed by Parastas at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Assumption of Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, 695 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. The Reverend Father Michael Kerestes, pastor, will serve as celebrant.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in the parish cemetery, Lake Street, Dallas.

Relatives and friends may join Oliver's family for visitation and remembrances Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Panachida at the funeral home.

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