Robert Bator Obituary

Robert J. Bator Sr., 98, of Wyomissing, formerly of Sinking Spring and West Hazleton, died peacefully of natural causes on Tuesday in Reading Hospital surrounded by his family. He was a resident in the Country Meadows of Wyomissing Retirement Community.

Born June 25, 1925, in West Hazleton, he was the son of the late Stanley J. Bator Sr. and Elizabeth (Bender Bator) Sisco and stepson of the late Nickolas Sisco and Anna C. (Evans Marshman) Bator.

In addition to his parents and stepparents, Robert was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy M. (Spangler) Bator, in 2015, with whom he shared nearly 71 years of marriage. They were married May 29, 1944, in North Carolina prior to Mr. Bator's deployment in World War II with the U.S. Marines to Midway and Okinawa. He was also predeceased by a daughter, Roberta; brothers, William J., Stanley J. Jr. and Joseph; a stepbrother, Stanley R.; and sisters, Mary and Eleanor Fritski and husband, William.

He was a graduate of West Hazleton High School, Class of 1943.

Robert was employed by Singer Sewing Machine Co. for 10 years and then by Prudential Insurance Co. for 30 years, where he achieved yearly "Million Dollar Sales Awards" prior to retiring in 1991. He was also president of the UFCW Local 8 for 15 years.

Robert raised three children and loved hunting, boating, water skiing, trips to Atlantic City and Florida and yearly family fishing vacations to Canada. He also enjoyed trips with his wife to Puerto Rico, Nassau and Denver. He was active as a coach and treasurer of the West Hazleton Little League and Biddy Basketball Association. He was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, West Hazleton.

He is survived by a daughter, June A. Becker and her husband, David, of Wernersville; two sons, Lawrence R. Bator and his wife, Rosemary, of Wilkes-Barre; and Robert J. Bator Jr. and his wife, Regina, of Wyomissing; four grandsons, Brian D. Becker and his wife, Alissa, of West Chester; Daran R. Becker and his wife, Amanda, of Villanova; Robert J. Bator III, Wyomissing; and Thomas M. Bator and his wife, Hannah, Westminster, Md.; and three great-granddaughters, Adriana, Ella and Willa Becker. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Catherine, widow of Chester Bartlinski, Hazleton; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Friday at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, 213 W. Green St., West Hazleton, PA 18202. The service will be preceded by a visitation at the church that will begin at 11 a.m. and run until the time of the service. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to Holy Name of Jesus Parish or the charity of the donor's choice.

Hilary J. Bonin Funeral Home, 99 W. Green Street, West Hazleton is assisting the family.