Obituaries by LocationCarey Sr., James
February 4, 2001
James M. Carey Sr., of Kingston, died Jan. 5. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday from the Karl E. Blight Funeral Home, 392 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. The Rev. Michael Willis will officiate.
Haas, Gary
February 4, 2001
Gary C. Haas, 47, of the Hazleton area, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, died Sunday at Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Simon S. Russin Funeral Home Inc., 136 Maffett St., Plains, 18705.
Baron, Louise
February 7, 2001
Louise (Casella) Baron, 96, of Thomas Street, Old. Forge, died Wednesday at Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton.
Born Nov. 1, 1904, in Old Forge, she was a daughter of the late Pasquale and Angela (Mastondon) Casella. She attended Old Forge schools and worked at Butler Silk Mill., Old Forge. She was a member of St. Mary's of the Assumption Church, Old Forge.
She was preceded in death
by her husband, Sidney; brothers, Vito, Frank and Anthony; and sisters, Antoinette Peperno and Margaret Chromey.
Surviving are her sons, Alfred and Vincent, both of Old Forge; daughter, Betty Pash, Fresno, Calif.; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Vito, Frank and Anthony; and sisters, Antoinette Peperno and Margaret Chromey.
Williams, John
February 6, 2001
John L. Williams, Tunkhannock, formerly of Towanda, died Tuesday at the Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
Born Feb. 22, 1942, in Towanda he was the son of the late Roy and Louise L. (Richards) Williams. He was a 1960 graduate of Towanda High School. He was an avid musician. He enjoyed playing his accordion for several local nursing homes and senior citizens groups and churches.
Surviving are his sister, Mary Louise Bamberger, Rochester, N.Y.; half sister, Margurite Cobb, Wyalusing, and a niece.
Funeral and committal services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday from the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, with the Rev. Rick Wormer officiating. Interment will be in Wysox Cemetery, Wysox. Friends may call from 1 p.m. Saturday until time of service.
Leandri, Linda
February 7, 2001
Linda Leandri, 51, of New Haven, Conn., formerly from Luzerne, died Wednesday at Hospice Community Care Inpatient unit of Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Nov. 12, 1949, in Kingston, she was a daughter of Rudy B. and Jean D. (Blassic) Leandri. She was a graduate of Central Catholic High School and Penn State University. She also attended Wilkes College, was a seminarian at Yale University Divinity School, studying for her Masters of Divinity in the area of Biblical studies. She has traveled to Israel several times and studied at Jerusalem University on Mount Zion. In 2000 she was awarded the Two Brothers Fellowship to Study abroad. She was formerly employed as a manger of Walden Books in the Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre.
Surviving are her son, Joshua Wardell, Chicago; brothers, William, Dallas; Richard of Francestown, N.H.; Daniel, North Wales; David, Jacksonville, Fla.; sisters, Norma Swartwood, Dallas; and Elena Leandri, Forty-Fort; and nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday from the Betz-Jastremski Funeral Home Inc., 568 Bennett St., Luzerne, with a Mass on Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m. from Holy Family Parish in St. Ann's Church, Bennett Street, Luzerne. Interment will be in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Community Care, 385 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, 18704 or Branford Hospice Center, New Haven.
Schweizer, Irving
February 7, 2001
Irving Schweizer, 75, of Dorrance Manor, Kingston, formerly of West Pittston, died Wednesday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes Barre.
Born Oct. 20, 1925, in Stanton Island, N.Y., he was a son of the late Frederick and Marion (Gaffney) Schweizer. He attended Stanton Island High School. He worked at B.F. Goodrich Tire Co., Exeter. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, West Pittston.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary (Campo) Schweizer.
Surviving are his second wife, the former Jessie Allen Rooney Schweizer; son, Joseph Schweizer, Stanton Island; step-sons, Allen Rooney, West Pittston; Charles Rooney, South Carolina; Eugene Rooney, West Pittston; and Samuel Rooney, Laflin; daughter, Eileen Nix; step-daughters, Barbara Ann Vutano, Stanton Island; Elizabeth Romanowski, Harding; brothers, Fred, Norman, and Bernard, all of Florida; one grandson, 12 step-grandchildren and 15 step-great-grandchildren.
A Private Viewing and Funeral Services will be at the convenience of the family from the Howell-Lussi Funeral Home, 509 Wyoming Ave., West Pittston, with the Rev. Michael Piccolla officiating. The family requests flowers be omitted and memorial donations be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Roberts, Shirley May
February 6, 2001
Shirley May (Bolton) Roberts, 69, of Wright Township, died Tuesday at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born Nov. 5, 1931, in Wright Township, she was a daughter of the late Abraham J. and Margaret (Hughes) Bolton Sr. She attended GAR High School, Wilkes-Barre. She was a seamstress at Wilkes-Barre area garment manufacturing companies.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter J.; sister, Delores Bove; and brothers, Charles and Abraham J. Jr.
Survived are her son, Walter J., Jr., Mountaintop; two grandchildren; sister, Margaret Fitz, Mountaintop; and brother, William B., Mountaintop.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday from the McCune Funeral Home, 80 South Mountain Blvd., Mountaintop, with the Rev. James Wert officiating.
Interment will be in the Albert Cemetery, Wright Township. Friends may call on from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Dorris, Matilda
February 8, 2001
Matilda R. Dorris, of West Green Street, Nanticoke, died Thursday at home.
Born April 8, 1921, in West Nanticoke, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Tillie (Kaminski) Harris. She worked at the American Cigar Co. and Stookey's Barbecue prior to retirement. She was a member of St. Francis Church, Nanticoke.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Joseph and Louis; and sister, Frances Fino.
Surviving are her husband, Daniel J.; daughters, Susan Ruse and Lisa Szczucki, both of Nanticoke; sons, Daniel P., Nanticoke; and David W., Drums; seven grandchildren; sisters, Caroline Litchkowski, Nanticoke; Mary Cease, Bloomsburg; and Henrietta Bruza, West Nanticoke; and brother, Phillip Harris, Nanticoke.
The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday from the Earl W. Lohman Funeral Home, 14 W. Green St., Nanticoke, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Haas, Gary
February 4, 2001
Gary C. Haas, 47, of the Hazleton area, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, died Sunday at Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia.
Born April 3, 1953, in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Fredrick Christian and Kathleen (Hiney) Haas. He attended Wilkes-Barre schools. He was trained at the Savoy Hotel, London, England, in the art of pastries. He was a chef at Arnaud's of New Orleans, and the Western Ilikai Hotel, Waikiki Island, Hawaii. He also was a carpenter.
He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Christian.
Surviving are his wife of nine years, Maureen "Moe" Givnin-Haas, Zion Grove (at home); son, Keoki Haas, at home; sisters, Mary Ann Phillips, Kingston; and Kathy Haas, Wilkes-Barre; one niece and one nephew.
A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 190 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. Jane Wigen officiating. Friends may call from 3 p.m. until time of service Sunday at the church. Memorial donations may be made to the Bobby Sherman Fund; Liver Transplant Program; 132 S. 10th St.; Suite 460; Main Building; Philadelphia, Pa., 19107. Arrangements are by the Simon S. Russin Funeral Home, 136 Maffett St., Plains Township.
Haskins, Margaret
February 8, 2001
Margaret Rose (Verbitsky) Haskins, 92, of Rock Street, Hughestown, died Thursday at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.
Born Nov. 28, 1908, in Pittston, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Sarpolas) Verbitsky. She attended Pittston schools. She was a housekeeper. She was a member of St. Casimir's Church, Pittston.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; a grandson, Anthony Petrosky; brothers, Anthony and Joseph Verbitsky; sisters, Anna Chernavich, Helen Boguzus and Mary Komer.
Surviving are her son, Anthony Petrosky, Vineland, N.J.; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; sister, Sally Brodbeck, Hughestown; and nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday from Kizis-Lokuta Funeral Home, 134 Church St., Pittston, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Casimir's Church. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Pittston. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Keele, Harold
February 7, 2001
Harold H. Keele, 91, of Pine Creek Road, Shickshinny, died Wednesday at Berwick Retirement Village II.
Born Nov. 9, 1909, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Steven and Ada (Hamilton) Keele. He was a landscaper in New York.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Eunice Stage.
Surviving are his step-daughter, Eleanor Arnold, Mountaintop; step-sons, Robert Frank, Long Island, N.Y.; and Steven Frank, Missouri.
Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Albert Cemetery, Wright Township, with the Rev. James Davis officiating. There will be no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are by the Clarke Piatt Funeral Home Inc., 6 Sunset Lake Road, Hunlock Creek.
Koplish, Daniel
February 6, 2001
Daniel T. "Blonde Tiger" Koplish, 86, of Allentown, formerly of Clifton, N.J., died Tuesday at Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown.
Born in Nanticoke, he was a son of the late Frank and Elizabeth (Wolk) Koplish. He was a World War II veteran, serving as a "seebee" and as a member of the first underwater demolitions team in Europe and Africa. He was a compressed air foreman for various contractors for 37 years before retiring in 1979. During that time, he worked on the Lincoln and Holland tunnels and was a business agent for Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Plains Township. He was a member of the Catholic War Veterans, Wilkes-Barre; a life member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Wilkes-Barre and Clifton; and a YMCA volunteer in New York and New Jersey. He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Allentown.
He was the 1934 American Amateur Athletic Association Welter Weight Champion, boxing under the name "Blonde Tiger." He was inducted into the New York Boxing Hall of Fame in 1980 and the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 1984.
Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Marie (Palsha) Koplish; son, Daniel E., Allentown; two grandchildren; brother, John, New Milford, N.J.; and sister, Elizabeth Macar, Long Island, N.Y.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at K.V. Knopp Funeral Home, 46 E. Susquehanna St., Allentown, with a Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Church. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Lehigh Valley Chapter.
Masonis, John
February 7, 2001
John Masonis, 77, of Spring Street, Hanover Township, died Wednesday, a victim of a fire at his home.
Born in Luzerne, he was the son of the late Peter and Victoria (August) Masonis. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in Hawaii. He was a retired U.S. government employee, having worked for the Social Security Administration in Maryland.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph, Andrew, Charles, Daniel, William, Anthony and Walter; and sister, Mary Rydzewski.
Surviving are his wife, the former Geraldine Stemplewski; and sister, Verna Zubris, Wilkes-Barre.
Private funeral services will be at the convenience of the family from the Gosciewski Funeral Home, 845 N. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre.
Matthews, Mary
February 8, 2001
Mary R. (Aulisio) Matthews, 84, of West Scranton, died Thursday in the Hospice Unit at Mercy Hospital, Scranton.
Born Aug. 27, 1916, in Old Forge, she was a daughter of the late George and Rose (Chelland) Aulisio. She was a 1934 graduate of Old Forge High School and also attended medical secretary school. She was a medical secretary for the former Taylor Hospital. She was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, West Scranton. She also was a member of St. Patrick's Quilters and the church's former Altar Rosary and Convent Guild Society, now the Society of the Faithful. She enjoyed spending her summers at Lake Ariel and loved to cook, read and spend time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Dominick, Calvin, Joseph, and infant brother; and sisters, Nancy Kowalcik, Lena Volpe, Ann Prenesti, and infant sister, Viola.
Surviving are daughters, Mildred Matthews, Lake Ariel; Marjorie Gillespie, Chevy Chase, Md.; and Marnel Winn, Island Heights, N.J; brother Leo Aulisio, Lakeland, Fla.; and nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday from the Durkan-Cuff-Kearney Funeral Home, 125 N. Main Ave., West Scranton, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Jackson Street, West Scranton. Interment will be in Marcy Cemetery, Duryea. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton, or Mercy Hospital Hospice Unit; 746 Jefferson Ave.; Scranton, 18510, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Ortolani, Natalie
February 8, 2001
Natalie Ortolani, formerly of Tiffany Court, Kingston, and North River Street, Plains Township, died Thursday at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Michael J. Mikelski Funeral Home, 293 S. River St., Plains Township.
Pawloski, Pauline
February 8, 2001
Pauline A. (Knapp) Pawloski, 87, of Miner Avenue, the Wanamie section of Newport Township, died Thursday at the Hospice Community Care Inpatient Unit of Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Jan. 3, 1914, in Mocanaqua, she was a daughter of the late Alexander and Mary (Kohler) Knapp. She attended Mocanaqua schools. She was a sewing machine operator for Christy Fashions, the Glen Lyon section of Newport Township. She was member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, Local 327. She was a member of St. Adalbert's Church, Glen Lyon.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Louis Sekulski; second husband, Walter Pawloski; son, Edmund; sister, Helen Kisch; brothers, Joseph Vincent and Daniel Knapp.
Surviving are daughters, Louise Sekulski Salva, Rochester, N.Y.; Theresa Walker, Wanamie; son, Stanley Pawloski, Warrington; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Elizabeth Knizner and Anne Wexler, both of Arizona; Alberta Sharpe, Pottstown; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday from the George A. Strish Inc. Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., Glen Lyon, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Adalbert's Church. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Glen Lyon. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with the Rev. Mike Quinnan officiating.
Sims, David
February 8, 2001
David G. Sims, Carver Street, Plymouth, died Thursday at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia.
Born Dec. 6, 1929, in Larksville, he was the son of the late Clarence and Eliza (Warman) Sims. He attended Larksville schools. He worked at Ormond Long Co., Wilkes-Barre. He was a member of Larksville Mountain Full Gospel Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Ethel Singer; son, David Jr.; brothers, Stanley, Clarence and John; and sisters, Alberta, Anna, Mary Melodick, and Doll McElwee,
Surviving are his daughters, Charlotte Shinko, Deborah Davison and Mary Tobin, all of Larksville; and Priscilla "Dolly" Coleman, Ashley; daughter, Angela, at home; 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mildred Price, Larksville; and Stella Rodda, the Sweet Valley section of Ross Township; and nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday from the Williams Funeral Home, 114 W. Main St., Plymouth, with the Revs. Alan C. Bone and Weldon Hettesheimer officiating. Interment will be in Albert Cemetery, Mountaintop. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
