Yencha

Miner’s First Name:   John
Miner’s Middle Name:   Albert
Miner’s Last Name:   Yencha
Miner’s Picture:   
Birth Place of Miner:   Wilkes-Barre PA
Miner’s Country:   USA
Arrived in USA:   N/A

Miner Information:
John A. Yencha was the son of Michael and Mary (Baloga) Yencha. He attended school at Plains Township until the 9th grade, when he dropped out to find work to support his family. His first job was as a laborer for the Hudson Coal Company. He then went on to become a miner working for the Pine Ridge Collery and Delaware Collery. He married Mary Stanko in 1929 and they went on to have 4 sons. John was severely injured in a mine collapse in 1944, suffering a broken back, fractured pelvis, and multiple leg and knee injuries. He spent 6 months recovering in Nesbitt Memorial Hospital in Kingston, PA. After his release from the hospital, he could no longer work in the mines due to permanent effects of his injuries, so he attended school. He graduated from the National Radio Institute in Washington DC. After graduation, he set up his own business as a radio/TV/electronics sales and repairman. He succeeded in this business for many years before moving on to employment in the garment industry. John Yencha, along with Bernard Zaremba and Dr. Nicholas Mauriello were champions in miner’s health issues. They spoke before many governmental committees in Washington DC and were instrumental in getting Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis (aka “black lung”- a disease that develops from chronic inhalation of coal dust leading to significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease- COPD) recognized as a disease that qualified for disability benefits for miners. His legacy includes: 4 children, 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Place & Manner of Miner’s Death:   Wilkes-Barre, PA- complications associated with Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis (aka Black Lung)
Died:   October 3, 1999
Birth Date:   May 11, 1912

Married:   June 22, 1929
Place Miner Was Married:   St. Mary's Byzantine Church, Wilkes-Barre PA married by Father Chopay

Wife’s Name:   Mary
Wife’s Middle Name:   
Wife’s Last Name:   Stanko
Birth Place of Wife:   Bratislava, Czechoslovakia
Wife’s Country:   Czechoslovakia
Arrived in USA:   first arrived at 2yo. then went back to Czechoslovakia; returned at 10yo
Place & Manner of Wife’s Death:   Nanticoke, PA - complications of Right Heart Failure
Died:   June 8, 1999
Birth Date:   August 13, 1910

Number of Children:   4

Child Name 1:   John
Child’s Middle Name:   Francis
Child’s Last Name:   Yencha
Birth Date:   May 20, 1930

Child Name 2:   Thomas
Child’s Middle Name:   Arnold
Child’s Last Name:   Yencha
Birth Date:   March 15, 1933

Child Name 3:   Myron
Child’s Middle Name:   William
Child’s Last Name:   Yencha
Birth Date:   September 24, 1935

Child Name 4:   Edward
Child’s Middle Name:   Paul
Child’s Last Name:   Yencha
Birth Date:   June 8, 1940

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Author’s Name:   Erika
Author’s Middle Name:   Maria
Author’s Last Name:   Yencha
Phone Number:   302-530-9875
Relationship to Miner:   Granddaughter
Street Address:   6734 Sunningham Lane
City/Town:   Macungie
State:   PENNSYLVANIA
Zip:   18062
Email Address:   erikamyencha@yahoo.com