William "Bill" J. Faust, Sr.

“He means so much to me!  These few lines barely touch the many facets of the man I married.  He was my other half, my friend, my sweetheart, my confidante and my sparring partner.  He served me as a defender, a nurse, an encourager, and he always straightened me out when I lost my way in a store or on the road.  He bossed me in MY kitchen, baked wheat bread just for me, served me hot tea, and had the opposite opinion of everything that came up.  We navigated the sea of life together since we were sixteen, and as Mr. and Mrs. since we were both nineteen.  We’ve been together a lot of years, through sorrow and through joy, and I thank the lord for the day I met my true love, my country boy!  I love you so much!”  Connie

William J. Faust Sr., 85, born in Shamokin on Sept. 28, 1940, went to be with his Lord and Savior May 1, 2026.  He was a man of generosity and integrity.  He was well known for his strength, skill and his determination to do the job right as an independent local contractor.  But, what compelled him to go to work every day was his love and faithfulness to his God and family. 

He is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Constance M. (Rutkoskie) Faust, and his five children: Cynthia Zosh, Susan Madara and husband Ferdie R. Madara, Carol Kalinowski and husband Anthony R. Kalinowski Jr., Amy J. Machita and fiancé Matthew C. Whitney,  and William J. Faust Jr. and wife Theresa M. Faust.  He is also survived by 13 grandchildren:  Zosh family: Chelsey (Young), Jason, Michael and Kimberly, Madara family: James, Jonathan, Wesley, Kathryn, and Ferdinand, Kalinowski Family: Matthew, Aaron and Joshua, Machita family: Alexandra (Underwood) and Bradley, Faust family: Haley (Bauman) and William III, 16 great-grandchildren and various spouses, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents Blair W. and Anna M. Faust, 8 brothers: Clinton, Walter, Lewis, Blair, James, Donald, Benjamin and Edward, 7 sisters: Marian, Elizabeth, Hilda, Betty, Anna, Helen and Lillian, and a son-in-law Michael A. Zosh Sr.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 10:00-11:00am, immediately followed by a funeral service at Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, 35 S. Second St., Shamokin.  Pastor Ferdie R. Madara, son-in-law, will preside at his service.  Interment will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Coal Twp. Arrangements are entrusted to the Foust Funeral Home, LLC, Trevorton. A memory tribute may be placed at www.foustcares.com.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, 35 S. Second St., Shamokin.

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