John Norman Palansky Jr., 84, of Slatington, died peacefully May 15, 2025, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Bonnie Lee (Klotz) Palansky. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late John N. Palansky Sr. and the late Florence Perma Esther May (Schneck) Backus. He grew up in Slatington, where he lived most of his life, with a cherished chapter spent in Potter County from 2002 until returning home in 2020 following the passing of his beloved wife.

He was a hardworking man who spent 40 years at American Nickeloid, Walnutport, retiring in 2002. Earlier in his life, he also worked at Lehigh Valley Dairy and the former F&M Foundry. Known by many as “The Old Indian,” he was passionate about the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and trap shooter and a proud member of the Ontelaunee Rod & Gun Club, where he shot trap for over 50 years. He also held lifetime memberships with the Blue Ridge Rod & Gun Club, Walnutport and the Slatington Skeet Club, and was one of the founders of Springside Sportsmen Club, Slatington. His deep respect for wildlife and conservation was reflected in his memberships with the NRA and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

He cherished time spent in Potter County, “God’s Country.” He especially loved teaching his grandchildren to hunt and fish, drinking a Labatt Blue and Friday nights at Country View with his favorite haddock platter.

He was a member of St. John’s U.C.C., Slatington.

He will be remembered for his love of the outdoors, his deep devotion to family and the wisdom and traditions he passed on to the generations who will carry his legacy forward.

He is survived by daughter, Lori Heintzelman and her fiancé, Frank J. Hock Jr. of Walnutport; son, Lorne D. and his wife, Debbie, of Slatington; grandchildren, Carley Heintzelman and her husband, David Peifer, Zach, Emily (Palansky) Zwigard and her husband, Andrew; great-grandchildren, Louis, Maxwell, Samuel, Luke, Easton, Noah, Hanna, Huxley, Gryffin and Vivienne.

He was preceded in death by his brother, David Scheffler.

Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville, was in charge of arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Springside Sportsmen Club and/or St. John’s U.C.C. Memorial Fund both in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, 18078-0196.