John "Fast Eddie" Kalbach

John "Fast Eddie" Kalbach of Hegins, passed away at Hershey Medical Center in the early morning hours of November 11, 2016.  Family visited during the day and we were able to give him thier love, thanks and whispered goodbyes.  His leaving was peaceful, just a breath away from heaven.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, Hilda Klouser Kalbach and Chester C. Kalbach, half brothers Robert and Howard Kalbach and his sister-in-law Kathleen Miller Vaughn.

Eddie was a dedicated employee of Vito Rinaldi Chevrolet since he was a young man.  He loved the business and the interaction with thousands of people over the years.  He enjoyed many hobbies including motorcycles,  ATVs, collecting, trading and shooting firearms, ballroom dancing, wheeling and dealing, fishing, playing cards with his Valley cronies, staring contests and skeet at various gun clubs.  He loved bluegrass and the fellowship with friends who gathered to listen and play.  A member of the social group the Lucky Dawgz, he spent much time in recent years at gatherings on Rooney Mountain and at music festivals and picking parties where love and music made his last months full of joy.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 51 years Joanne 'Joey' Miller Kalbach, a daughter Amy A Kalbach; sons C. Curtis Kalbach and K. Nicholas, husband of Tara Marie Rosas Kalbach. He is also survived by his grandchildren Brandon T. Kalbach, Robert Curtis Kalbach and Whitney DiBenedictus.  His beloved sister Eleanor Kalbach Wernet  wife of Charles Wernert survives along with  his sister-in-law Trish Miller Smith wife of David Smith as well as 8 much loved nieces and nephews.  He also considered Kimberly A. Booble, Kenneth G. Johnston and many others (they know who they are) as his adopted children.

At Eddie request there will be no formal funeral services and his burial will be held at the convenience of his family.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to  his son Nicholas's current humanitarian project  - Media Artists Serving Humanity at Standing Rock, which was a great source of excitement and pride for his father.  More information  about the important project can be found on Facebook page "MASH Tent at Standing Rock" and donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/media-tentrelief-for-standing-rock.