Obituaries by LocationJumper Sr., Kenneth
Jan. 22, 2001
Kenneth L. Jumper Sr., 70, of White Haven, died Monday at home.
Born in White Haven, he was the son of the late Alfred and Cornelia (Schoch) Jumper. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving 20 years. He a U.S. Air Force veteran Korean War. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, White Haven, Kidder Fire Co. and White Haven Fire Co. Social Clubs.
Surviving are his wife of 50 years, the former Eleanor Soika; sons, Kenneth, Jr. and Richard, both of White Haven; daughters, Veronica Jumper, Atlanta; and Januarycq McAuley, Corpus Christi, Texas; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday from the Joseph E. Lehman Funeral Home Inc., 403 Berwick St., White Haven. Interment will follow in Laurel Cemetery, White Haven. The Rev. Michele Kaufman will officiate. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. until time of services Friday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 414 Berwick St., White Haven, 18661.
Kunkle, Mary
Jan. 22, 2001
Mary E. Kunkle, of Evans Falls, died Monday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born Sept. 9, 1917, in Forty Fort, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Susan (Swainbank) Rodda Evans. She attended Courtdale and Beaumont schools. She was a member of the Bowman's Creek Free Methodist Church and its Women's Missionary Society.
She was preceded in death
by her husband, Lloyd; son, Lloyd, Jr.; brothers, Fred, Jr., Howard and Robert Rodda; and sisters, Mildred Weber, Ruth Karpinski and Dorothy Belcastro.
Surviving are her daughter, Shirley Mae Brody, Jenks; two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; sisters, Leah Russell, Shickshinny; Clara Interment will be in Orcutt Grove Cemetery, Noxen. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Kubasti, George
Jan. 23, 2001
George Kubasti, 67, of Orchard Street, Exeter, died Tuesday at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Township.
Born in Swoyersville, he was a son of the late Andrew and Susan (Skareiner) Kubasti. He worked for American Chain & Cable Co., West Pittston, before retiring, United Foundry, Wyoming, and last worked for SCC Graphics, Pittston. He was a U.S. Army veteran and spent three years as a prisoner of war during the Korean War. He was a member of St. Anthony's Church, Exeter, Black Diamond Treasure Hunters Club, and the Senior Citizens Center, Pittston.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Nancy Smutko; and brother, Thomas.
Surviving are his daughter, Linda Ninotti, Harding section of Exeter Township; one granddaughter; brothers, Andrew, Wilkes-Barre; and Robert, Levittown; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 8:30 a.m. Thursday from the Frank A. Gubbiotti Funeral Home, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Anthony's Church. Interment will be in St. John's Slovak Cemetery, Exeter. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. this evening.
Lewis Jr., Russell
Jan. 23, 2001
Russell Lewis Jr., 76, formerly of Forty Fort, died Tuesday at Dorrance Manor, Kingston.
Born Sept. 22, 1924, in Kingston, he was a son of the late Russell, Sr. and Catherine (Gaynor) Lewis. He was of the Catholic faith. He attended the United Cerebral Palsy Adult Training Program until retiring in 1993.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Harold and Theodore.
He was the last member of his immediate family.
A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. today from the Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home, 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. Peter O'Rourke officiating. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from noon until time of the service today.
Liput, Edward
Jan. 7, 2001
Edward A. Liput, 87, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., formerly of Buffalo, N.Y., died Jan. 7 in Port St. Lucie.
He was born in the Alden section of Newport Township. He was a graduate of Newport Township High School. He was the founder and retired president of the Hearing Aid Center, Buffalo, N.Y., with branch offices in East Aurora and the City of Tonawanda, N.Y. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Naval Submarine Division in the Pacific Theater. He was the president of the New York Hearing Dealers Association.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 32 years, the former Celia Baron; brothers, Jack, Martin, Kazimer and Joseph; and sisters, Julia and Helen.
Surviving are his second wife, the former Mary Destefano; daughters, Joyce Gallagher, Chicago; Lorraine Powers, Phelps, N.Y.; son, Larry, Tonawanda; stepsons, Stephen and James, both of Tonawanda; 15 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Stanley, Florida; and sisters, Mary Veronick, Alden; Stephanie Klemm, Pitman, N.J.; and Jean Michalek, Kingston.
Memorial Masses were offered in Florida, Chicago, Tonawanda and Nanticoke. A Memorial Service will follow in Tonawanda, N.Y., as soon as weather permits. Funeral arrangements were by the Aycock Funeral Home, Jensen Beach, Fla.
Makarewicz, Nancy
Jan. 22, 2001
Nancy Ann Makarewicz, of Vulcan Street, Wilkes-Barre, formerly of Mountaintop and Harveys Lake, died Monday at Hospice Community Care of Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Mountaintop, she was a daughter of the late Raymond and Julia (Bobalko) Mack. She was a 1940 graduate of Fairview High School. She worked at Carpenter Nursing Home and Maher Nursing Home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael.
Surviving are her sons, Matthew, Plymouth; Michael, Wilkes-Barre; Raymond, White Haven; John, Pittston; Joseph, Dallas; and Anthony, Hanover Township; daughters, Sophie Hertel, Mansfield; Stephanie Engelman, Tunkhannock; and Veronica Makarewicz, Kingston; 19 grandchildren, one great-grandson; brothers, George Mack, Georgia; Warren Mack, Florida; and Edward Mack, Mountaintop; and sisters, Elizabeth McClosky, Mountaintop; Helen Mack, North Carolina; and Catherine Songaila, Sugarloaf.
The funeral will be held Thursday at the convenience of the family from the Yeosock Funeral Home, 40 S. Main St., Plains Township, with Archpriest Michael Slovesko officiating. Interment will be in Fern Knoll Burial Park, Dallas. Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, Wilkes-Barre; or to the American Heart Association, Wilkes-Barre.
Muchler, Robert
Jan. 23, 2001
Robert C. Muchler, 66, of Hanover Township, died Tuesday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes Barre.
Born April 25, 1934, in Wilkes Barre, he was a son of the late James and Louise (Royal) Muchler. He was a graduate of Plymouth High School. He was a baker at Mr. Donuts, Exeter, before retiring. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Wilkes-Barre.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Carlie Jean Homa, Ruthie and Lorraine; and brothers, James, Bill and Gardner.
Surviving are his wife of 27 years, the former Frances G. Clayton; sons, Jamie, Sweet Valley section of Ross Township; Jerry Poepperling, Mountaintop; Bernard Poepperling, State College; and Dwayne Poepperling, Shavertown section of Kingston Township; daughters, Connie Kopp, Middleburg; Charline Eckhart and Rebekah Muchler, both of Wilkes-Barre; 14 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles, New Jersey; and Paul, Johnstown; sister, Elsie Sasko, Lyndwood section of Hanover Township; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday from the Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home Inc., 465 S. Main St., Wilkes Barre, with the Rev. Robert F. Sauers officiating. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Wilkes- Barre.
Murray, Raymond
Jan. 21, 2001
Raymond G. Murray, 51, of South Market Street, Nanticoke, died Sunday in Kingston.
Born Aug. 9, 1949, in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Raymond H. and Dorothy (Rood) Murray. He was a 1967 graduate of Coughlin High School. He owned and operated L & M Gas Station, Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, for several years, and lastly was a registered male nurse for Retreat State Hospital, Hunlock Creek, and the Clarks Summit State Hospital, for the past 20 years.
Surviving are his daughters, Tania, Nicole and Rachel Murray, all at home; and Angelene Murray, Austin, Texas; one grandson; sister, Patsy Ecrote, Wilkes-Barre; brother, Ronald, Pittston; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday from the George A. Strish Inc. Funeral Home, 105 N. Main St., Ashley, with the Rev. Carol E. Coleman officiating. Interment will be in Bloomingdale Cemetery, Ross Township. Family and friends are asked to meet at 10 a.m. Saturday to attend the Memorial service.
Orlando, Jennie
Jan. 21, 2001
Jennie K. Orlando, 88, of Hudson, Fla., formerly of Park Lane, Exeter, died Sunday at the Sterling House, Spring Hill, Fla.
Born in Budapest, Hungary, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Barbara Kozma. She was a homemaker. She was a member of the Forty Fort United Presbyterian Church, Forty Fort.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; sister, Dolores Purner; and brother, Alex Kozma.
Surviving are her son, John, Hudson, Fla.; one grandson; and brother, William Kozma, Swoyersville.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday from the Hugh B. Hughes & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with the Rev. William N. Lukesh officiating. Interment will be in Wyoming Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Memorial donations may be made to the Forty Fort United Presbyterian Church, Forty Fort.
Olzinski, Chester
Jan. 22, 2001
Chester J. Olzinski, 75, of South Hanover Street, Nanticoke, died Monday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Stanley S. Stegura Funeral Home Inc., 614 S. Hanover St., Nanticoke.
Petrokonis, Thaddeus
Jan. 23, 2001
Thaddeus S. Petrokonis, 81, of Broad Street, Nanticoke, died Tuesday at home.
Born in Nanticoke, he was a son of the late Anthony V. and Stella M. (Supkowski) Petrokonis. He was a 1937 graduate of Nanticoke High School and attended Penn State University, majoring in electrical engineering. He was a plant supervisor of Hunlock Creek Power Station for 31 years. He was an U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the South Pacific.
He was a member of St. Francis Church, Nanticoke, American Legion Post 350, Nanticoke, founding member of Tilbury Fire Co, West Nanticoke, Lape Fire Department, Nanticoke Volunteer Ambulance, Advisory Board of Wilkes-Barre Vocational-Technical School and Wyoming Valley Radio & T.V. Association, Knights of Columbus Council 913, Nanticoke, Bishop Hafey Assembly, as a fourth degree knight.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Mark; and brother, Joseph.
Surviving are his wife of 58 years, the former Betty G. Davis; sons, Ronald, Texas; and Alan, Nanticoke; daughter, Kathleen Voitek, Swoyersville; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; brother, Gerald A., Birdsboro; nieces and nephews.
The American Legion Post 350 will conduct a military funeral at 8:30 a.m. Friday from the Grontkowski Funeral Home P.C., 51-53 W. Green St., Nanticoke, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Francis Church. Internment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Nanticoke. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Rev. William Langan will conduct a Wake Service at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Thompson, Arthur
Jan. 23, 2001
Arthur L. Thompson, of New Street, Hudson section of Plains Township, died Monday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born in West Hamlin, W.Va., he was the son of the late Ezra and Viola (Rose) Thompson.
Surviving are his wife, the former Julia M. (Appenzellar) Thompson, Hudson; and children.
The funeral will be from the Todd Funeral Home, 340 Third St. Beaver. Local arrangements are by the Yeosock Funeral Home, Plains Township.
Waver, Anna
Jan. 23, 2001
Anna T. Waver, of Maffett Street, Plains Township, died Tuesday at the Hospice Care of the VNA at Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Yeosock Funeral Home, 40 S. Main St., Plains Township.
Bell, Elsie
Jan. 28, 2001
Elsie G. Bell, a former resident of Daniel J. Flood Towers, Kingston, died Monday at Manorcare Health Services, Kingston.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the H. Merritt Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 451 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre.
Conklin, E. Curtis
Jan. 28, 2001
E. Curtis "Curt" Conklin, 67, of the Oldwick section of Tewksbury Township, N.J., died Sunday at The Little Brook Nursing Home, Lebanon Township, N.J.
Born June 19, 1933, in Exeter Township, he was a son of the late A. Kenneth and Minnie (Swartwood) Conklin. He was a manufacturing engineer for the Ronson Corp., Woodbridge, N.J., for 20 years, retiring in 1999, and was previously involved in farming for 26 years. He was a member of the Clinton Church of the Nazarene, Annandale, N.J., and he held a helicopter pilot's license.
He was preceded in death by his son, James; brother, Wendell; and sisters, Mabel Brace and Shirley Ann Conklin.
Surviving are his wife, Mary D. (Jacobs) Conklin; sons, Curt R., South Brunswick, N.J.; Gary P., Long Valley, N.J.; and Todd A., Holland Township, N.J.; daughter, Debra A. Sloan, Alexandria Township, N.J.; 12 grandchildren; brothers, Glen, Lancaster; Ernest, Exeter Township; Brice, Wapwallopen; and Donald, Tucson, Ariz.; sisters, Marie Shaffer and Peggy Thomas, both of Exeter Township; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday from the Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home, 26 Main St., Lebanon, N.J. Interment will be in Rural Hill Cemetery, Whitehouse, N.J. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Contessa, J. Charles Col.
Jan. 11, 2001
Col. J. Charles Contessa, 84, of Gainesville, Fla., formerly of the Wilkes-Barre-Scranton area, died Jan. 11.
Born in Swoyersville, he was a son of the late Joseph and Josephine Contessa. He was a graduate of Wyoming High School and received his dental surgery degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry. He was on staff at the Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C., and was a director of medical records at Putnam Memorial Hospital, Palatka, Fla. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a dentist for more than 25 years. He served in England, France, Korea and the European Theater. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal, Africa.
He was preceded in death by his son, Philip; brother, Thomas; and sisters, Genevieve Shillea and Mary Genardi.
Surviving are his wife, the former Huguette Mosny; son, Lorenzo, New York City; daughter, Elizabeth Wuts, Mattawan, Mich.; one granddaughter; brother, James, Dunmore; sisters, Phyllis Marfisi, Philadelphia; Grace Di Rienzo, Dickson City; and Anita Gammaitoni, Dunmore; one aunt, one uncle, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Memorial Mass was held at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Gainesville. Arrangements were by the Forest Meadows Funeral Home, Gainesville.
