Obituaries by LocationStefanko, George
Jan. 29, 2001
George "Trapper" Stefanko, 76, of Cliff Street, Pittston, died Monday at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.
Born in Pittston, he was a son of the late John and Barbara (Minchak) Stefanko. He attended Pittston City schools. He worked for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Section Department and before retiring was a machine operator for T & P Printing Co., Duryea. He was a member of St. Michael's Byzantine Church, Pittston, and a social member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1227, Duryea.
He was preceded in death
by his sisters, Mary Cannarella, Anna Mattei and Bertha Matterazzi; and brothers, Michael and John.
Surviving are his sister, Helen Deice, with whom he resided; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Thursday from the Paul F. Leonard Funeral Home, 575 N. Main St., Pittston, with Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Church. The Rev. Robert Kemeter will officiate. Interment will be in St. Michael's Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Parastas services will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Summerhill, Mary
Jan. 28, 2001
Mary E. "Bebe" Summerhill, 84, of East Walnut Street, Kingston, died Sunday at Balanced Care, Kingston.
Born Sept. 28, 1916, in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Herbert and Mary (Thomas) Evans. She was a graduate of Meyers High School. She was a member of Church of Christ Uniting, Kingston, where she was a joint-communion steward and the Sunshine chairwoman of the Tuesday afternoon Woman's Group.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Ellen McGowan and Jean McCarten; and brother, Herbert Evans Jr.
Surviving are her husband of 57 years, William R. "Bill," Sr.; son, Rev. Dr. William R., Jr., Kingston; daughter, Marilyn J. Bowman, Steelton; four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home Inc., 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. The Rev. Dr. James L. Harring will officiate. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. this evening and from 9 a.m. until time of service Wednesday. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Wilkes-Barre, or to the Church of Christ Uniting, Kingston.
Swelgin Jr., Joseph
Jan. 28, 2001
Joseph W. Swelgin Jr., 65, of the Miners Mills section of Wilkes-Barre, died Sunday at the Hershey Medical Center, Hershey.
Born in the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Joseph, Sr., and Mary (Drust) Swelgin. He worked for death by his sister, Dolores Kennedy.
Surviving are his wife, the former Altha "Toni" Salinis; daughters, Patricia Krushnowski, Miners Mills; and Nancy Hamm Swelgin, Wilkes-Barre; three grandsons; brother, Albert Miller, Wilkes-Barre; sisters, Teresa Goldner and Margaret Gawelko, both of Wilkes-Barre; and Mary Marose, Wilmington, Del.; nephews and nieces.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday from the Corcoran Funeral Home, 20 S. Main St., Plains Township, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at SS. Peter & Paul Church. Interment will be in St. Francis Cemetery, Plains Township. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society; or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Teetsel, Florence A.
Jan. 29, 2001
Florence A. Teetsel of RR 1, Noxen, passed away on Monday at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
She was born in Coventry, N.Y., on Sept. 2, 1927, daughter of the late Basil and Sadie (Cook) Hayner. She had been employed by the Ronox Dress Company in Noxen and retired from the Carpenter Care Center in Tunkhannock. She was a member of the Noxen Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Bowmen's Creek Free Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Teetsel; sons, Ernest, Jr. and Thomas; brothers, George Hayner, Elton Hayner and Bert Hayner; and sister, Shirley White.
Surviving are brothers, Donald Hayner, of Spring Hill, Fla.; Jerry Hayner, of Birchardville, Pa.; Jimmy Hayner, of Endicott, N.Y.; Harold Hayner, of Norwich, N.Y.; sisters, Eleanor Goble, of Noxen; Marguerite Cook, of Tunkhannock; daughter-in-law, Sandy Teetsel, of Noxen; granddaughter, Tammy Kaminstein, of Noxen; grandsons, Tom Teetsel and Jamy Teetsel, both of Noxen; four great-grandchildren; fiancee, Charles Setzer, of Factoryville; foster sons, John Smith, of Laceyville; Chester Smith, of Beaumont; foster daughters, Bernadine Karschner, of Mehoopany; Nancy Siglin, of East Lemon; and eight foster grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. from the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, with Pastor Lynn Mokwa, pastor of the Bownmen's Creek Free Methodist Church. Interment will be in Orcutt Cemetery, Noxen. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, 6 to 9 p.m.
Thieman, Verne
Jan. 29, 2001
Verne Thieman, of Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, died Monday at the Hospice Community Care of Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Walter W. Lisman Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre.
Uczen, Mary
Jan. 25, 2001
Mary Uczen, 73, of Piscataway, N.J., died Thursday at St. Peter's Medical Center, New Brunswick, N.J.
She was born in Wilkes-Barre. She worked for John Wiley and Sons, Somerset, N.J., for 17 years, retiring in 1991.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward.
Surviving are her sons, David, Toms River, N.J.; and Carl, Piscataway; daughters, Rosemary Primiano, Allentown, N.J.cq; and Karen Grammes, Annandale, N.J.; two grandchildren; brother, Thomas Kaminski, Wilkes-Barre; and sister, Martha Harris, Bridgewater, N.J.
A memorial Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. today at St. Francis Cabrini Roman Catholic Church, Piscataway. Entombment will follow in Resurrection Burial Park, Piscataway. Funeral arrangements are by the Piscataway Funeral Home, 18 Stelton Road, Piscataway, N.J.
Calaman, Mary
Jan. 26, 2001
Mary Angeline Calaman, 87, of Mildred, died Friday at the Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre.
Born Feb. 6, 1913, in Bernice, she was a daughter of the late Bernard and Marie Antoinette (Columbo) Calaman. She was a graduate of Mansfield State Teachers College and Columbia University. She taught in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for 40 years. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Mildred, and the Catholic Women's Guild.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Frank D., Anthony, Vincent, Eugene, Roy, Dominic, Victor and John; and sisters, Anna Martinelli, Josephine Bianchi, Madeline Basci, Margaret Cenciarini and Rose Arenda.
Surviving are her brother, Joseph J., Williamsville, N.Y.; 27 nieces and nephews, 69 grandnieces and nephews, and 68 great-grandnieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be at 10:15 a.m. Saturday from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church. The Rev. Michael B. Harris will officiate. Interment will be in the adjoining parish Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. The Rosary will be recited at 3 p.m. Friday and a Vigil service will be at 8 p.m. Friday. Memorials donations may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church Renovation Fund, or the Calaman Family, Education Trust Fund, attention: Joseph J. Calaman, 110 Culpepper Rd., Williamsville, N.Y., 14221-3640.
Gavlick, Peter
Jan. 29, 2001
Peter A. Gavlick, of Lincoln Avenue, West Wyoming, formerly of Swoyersville, died Monday at the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.
Born in Swoyersville, he was the son of the late Peter and Sophie (Nedelak) Gavlick. He was a 1947 graduate of Swoyersville High School. He was an air traffic control supervisor for the Federal Aviation Administration before retiring in 1980. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, serving as a sergeant. He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, West Wyoming.
He was preceded in death by his son, Kurt; and sisters, Mary Lutkavage, Barbara and Tillie Klenis and Mildred Risko.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years, the former Theresa Treckiewicz; sons, Ronald, McMurry; and Kirk, Bloomsburg; daughters, Christine Fuller, Frederick, Md.; and Susan Saal, Youngstown, Ohio; five grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Friday from the Joseph L. Wroblewski Funeral Home, 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. The Rev. Michael Rafferty will officiate. Entombment will be in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Haines, Virginia
Jan. 25, 2001
Virginia M. Haines, 83, formerly of and Kingston and Temple Apartments, Edwardsville, died Thursday at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Surviving are her daughters, Beth Moran and Judith Margavage, both of Forty Fort; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; sisters, Jeanne Wachob and Elaine Flick, both of DuBois; and brothers, Jack and Charles Peterson, both of DuBois.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday from the Hugh B. Hughes & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with the Rev. Michael Willis officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dorranceton United Methodist Church, 549 Wyoming Ave., Kingston.
Higgins, Mildred
Jan. 30, 2001
Mildred E. Higgins, of Harveys Lake, died Tuesday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc., Pikes Creek.
Hoyt, Jean
Jan. 29, 2001
Jean H. Hoyt, 80, of Beaumont, died Monday at home.
Born Feb. 16, 1920, in Noxen, she was a daughter of the late Henry and Edith (Beahm) Smith. She was a nurse's aide at the Smith Rest Home, Noxen, for 15 years, retiring 15 years ago. She was a member of the Emmanuel Assembly of God Church, Harveys Lake.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John L., Sr.; grandchildren, John Hoyt III and Alice Williams; brothers, Richard, Alton and Leo Smith; and sisters; Mildred Boice, Geraldine Baer, Dawn and Evelyn Smith.
Surviving are her sons, John L., Jr. and Joseph S., both of Harveys Lake; daughters, Donna Lee Wallace, Boca Raton, Fla.; Bonnie D. Binger and Deborah P. Holden, both of Ithaca, N.Y.; Cheryl E. Stambaugh, Joanne E. Race, Kathi J. Derhammer and Pamela D. Weidman, all of Harveys Lake; Suanne J. Headley, Lincolnton, N.C.; and Andrea B. Delicati, Dallas; 20 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and brothers, Doyle Smith, Noxen; Edward and Nolan Smith, both of Harveys Lake.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc., Pikes Creek, with the Rev. Lawrence D. Reed officiating. Interment will be in the Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Memorial donations be made to the Kunkle Volunteer Fire Co., RR 1, Box 301-A, Dallas, 18612.
Jackson, Deborah
Jan. 29, 2001
Deborah Jackson, infant daughter of Leo Jackson Sr. and Deborah Henderson, of Moosic, died Monday at Mercy Hospital, Scranton.
Surviving are her brother, Leo Albert Jackson III, at home; paternal grandparents, Leo Jackson, Scranton; and Andrea Palmiter Jackson, Moosic; maternal grandparents, John and Doreen Plotkin Henderson, West Scranton; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Marcy Cemetery, Foote Avenue, Duryea, with the Rev. Peter Caligiuri officiating. Interment will be in Marcy Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, 517 N. Main St., Old Forge.
Lombardo, Rita
Jan. 30, 2001
Rita Lombardo, 64, of Dupont, died Tuesday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born in Dupont, she was a daughter of Victoria Satkowski, Dupont, and the late Joseph Satkowski. She worked in the local garment industry. She was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Dupont.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Geralyn; brothers, Richard and David; and sister, Florence.
Surviving are her husband of 43 years, Angelo; daughter, Angela Szulewski, Dupont; son, Richard, Dupont; two grandchildren; sisters, Leona Byank, Dupont; Loretta Cushing, Kingston; and Mary Raulinavich, Howell, N.J.; brothers, Joseph, Michael and John Satkowski, all of Dupont; and Stephen Satkowski, Hughestown; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Friday from the Stephen M. Lokuta Funeral Home, 200 Wyoming Ave., Dupont, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Dupont. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society.
Murphy Sr., Robert Dr.
Jan. 28, 2001
Dr. Robert M. Murphy Sr., 75, of Salem Township, died Sunday at home.
Born Dec. 15, 1925, in Stratford, N.J., he was the son of the late Charles and Edith (Lawler) Murphy. He was a graduate of St. Joseph Preparatory School, Philadelphia, Villanova College, and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He was a psychiatrist at the former Retreat State Hospital, Hunlock Creek, and at Danville State Hospital. He served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph.
Surviving are his sons, Robert, Jr., Danville; and Kevin Murphy, Hawaii; daughters, Eileen Walp, Dallas; Kathleen Talarowski, Wilmington, Del.; Theresa Murphy and Tricia Bailey, both of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; seven grandchildren; and sisters, Mildred Hassler and Edith Emmel, both of Florida.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Mayo Funeral Home, 77 N. Main St., Shickshinny.
William Purcell, Rev.
Jan. 30, 2001
R ev. William Francis Purcell, pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Peckville, died Tuesday at Mercy Hospital, Scranton.
Born April 19, 1920, in Scranton, he was a son of the late John and Letitia (McAdams) Purcell. He attended St. Paul's High School. He studied at the University of Scranton and completed his theological studies at St. Bonaventure Seminary, St. Bonaventure, N.Y. He was ordained to the priesthood May 31, 1947, in St. Peter's Cathedral, Scranton, by the Most Rev. William J. Hafey.
He was an assistant pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Milford, St. John the Evangelist Church, Honesdale, Sacred Heart Church, Plains Township, St. Elizabeth's Church, Bear Creek, and St. John the Evangelist Church, Scranton. He was pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption, Wyalusing, Immaculate Conception Church, Scranton, and Sacred Heart of Jesus, Peckville. He was named pastor emeritus of Sacred Heart of Jesus upon retiring in 1997. He was the dean of the Olyphant Deanery from 1989 to 1994. He was a chaplain in the U.S. Armed Forces, earning the rank of major. He was chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Council, Honesdale, and member of the faculty at South Catholic High School, Scranton.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Gerard and Rev. John J.; and sister, Grace E. Donohue.
Surviving are his brother, Monsignor Paul J., Scranton.
A Pontifical Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Peckville, with the Most Rev. James C. Timlin, D.D., bishop of Scranton, officiating. Interment will be in Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. A Vigil Mass will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, with the Very Rev. Santino J. Fanucci, V.F., presiding. The viewing will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday and prior to the 11 a.m. funeral Mass Friday at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
Shoback, Mildred
Jan. 30, 2001
Mildred E. Shoback, 70, of Old Forge, formerly of Baltimore, died Tuesday at the Hospice Unit of Mercy Hospital, Scranton.
Born Sept. 8, 1930, in Old Forge, she was a daughter of Elizabeth (Podrasky) Malecki, Old Forge, and the late John Malecki. She attended schools in the Old Forge School District. She worked for Topps Chewing Gum for a short period and was also a homemaker. She was a member of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Old Forge.
Surviving are her husband of 45 years, Frank; daughter, Deborah Shoback, Lake Winola; brother, Anthony Malecki, Kansas; and sister, Dorothy Scott.
The funeral will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday from the Victor M. Ferri Funeral Home, 522 Fallon St., Old Forge, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Vine Street, Old Forge. The Rev. Joseph Brozena will officiate. Interment will be Monday in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. today.
Thieman, Verne
Jan. 29, 2001
Verne Thieman, of Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, died Monday at Hospice Community Care at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Nov. 9. 1922, in Swoyersville, she was a daughter of the late John and Susan (Yurkanin) Marcinko. She was a graduate of Swoyersville High School and the Empire Beauty School. She taught at the Empire Beauty School, Hazleton, for several years, and worked for several years for The Plymouth Beauty Salon. She was a member of St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre, its Altar and Rosary Society, and St. Conrad's Ladies Auxiliary.
Surviving are her husband of 58 years, Fred; daughters, Barbara Stahley, West Wyoming; and Sandra Yanora, Exton; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; brothers, Thomas Marcinko, Tucson, Ariz.; and Francis Marcinko, Hudson, Plains Township; sisters, Helen Lazar, Forty Fort; Susan Kamarunus, Dunmore; Marie Bernardoni, Swoyersville; Florence Venit, Maryland City, Md.; and Annmae Trypus, Port St. Lucy, Fla.; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Friday from the Walter W. Lisman & Son Funeral Home, 233 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Nicholas Church. Entombment will follow after the Mass. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Community Care, Kingston.
Wartella, Myron
Jan. 25, 2001
M yron M. Wartella, 68, of East Main Street, Ashley Falls, Mass., formerly of Sheffield, Mass., died Thursday at his home.
Born Sept. 24, 1932, in Sayre, he was the son of Metro and Nell (Sapar) Wartella. He was a graduate of Edwardsville High School, Mansfield State College and the New England Conservatory, Boston, with degrees in music. He was a band director and instrument teacher at Mount Everett Regional High School and taught at Northwest Area High School, Shickshinny and Wilkes College. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the U.S. Army Band.
Surviving are his wife of 23 years, the former Linda Cataw; children, Myron P., Great Barrington, Mass.; Kathy Jo Barrett, Lanesboro, Mass.; Nadine Hawver, Monterey, Mass.; Deborah Cook, Ashley Falls; five grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; and sisters, Nancy MacFarland, Westport, Conn.; and Nona Wartella, Springfield, Va.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires, or to the Sheffield Kiwanis Club through the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, Mass., 01230.
Ronchi, Enise
Jan. 30, 2001
Enise T. Ronchi, 79, of the Miners Mills section of Wilkes-Barre, died Tuesday at the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.
Born in the Keystone section of Plains Township, she was a daughter of the late Gionacchino "Charles" and Carole (Monacelli) Ronchi. She was a 1940 graduate of Plains Memorial High School. She worked in the dress industry for many years and last worked for Genetti's Hotel, Wilkes-Barre. She was a member of the parish community of St. John the Baptist, Blessed Sacrament and St. Francis Church, all of Miners Mills.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Aldo; and sisters, Susan, Mary and Irene.
Surviving are her brothers, Elio "Ted," Kingston; and Enrico, East Brunswick, N.J.; nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday from Blessed Sacrament Church, Miners Mills, with the Rev. Joseph Kearney officiating. Interment will be in Italian Independent Cemetery, West Wyoming. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are by the Corcoran Funeral Home, 20 S. Main St., Plains Township.
