Obituaries by LocationSmith, Jeanne
February 8, 2001
Jeanne "Frenchie" (Briand) Smith, formerly of Pringle, died Thursday at General Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Necy, Normandy, France, she was a daughter of the late Vincent and Josephine (LeMignon) Briand. She worked at the General Cigar Co., Kingston. She was a Girl Scout leader for more than 30 years in Pringle and was a member of the Pringle Firemen's Auxiliary. She baked party cakes as a hobby. She was a member of St. Mary's Annunciation Church, Kingston.
She was preceded in death
by her husband, Peter; and brother, Aristide Briand.
Surviving are brothers, Marcel and Christian Briand, and a sister, Paulette Bachot, all of France.
The funeral will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday from Kopicki Funeral Home, 263 Zerbey Ave., Kingston, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Mary's Annunciation Church. Interment will be in St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Cemetery, Pringle. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Yanus, Peter
February 7, 2001
Peter P. Yanus, 80, of RR 2, Hunlock Creek, died Wednesday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born June 27, 1920, in Plymouth, he was a son of the late Michael and Mary (Seroka) Yanus. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Alution Islands and the Phillipines. He worked for the Luzerne County Recreation Department at Moon Lake Park before retiring in 1982. He also worked for PennDOT. He was of Catholic faith.
He was preceded in death by brother, Theodore; and sisters, Mildred Mazur, and Adeline Mock.
Surviving are his brothers, Henry, Nanticoke; and Charles, Upper Askam; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday from the Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 22 Prospect St., Nanticoke, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 173 E. Green St., Nanticoke. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Plymouth Township, with the Rev. Christopher Clay officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Francis Assisi Church, 173 E. Green St., Nanticoke.
Aszuk, Emily
Feb. 9, 2001
Emily J. Aszuk, 95, of Plainfield, N.J., formerly of Wilkes-Barre, died Friday at her home.
Born June 11, 1905, in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Adam and Paula Beszchak. She was a teacher at St. Bernard's Parochial School in Plainfield for 17 years, retiring in 1982, and previously taught in the Wilkes-Barre and Kingston school districts. She was a communicant of Immaculate Heart Of Mary Church, Scotch Plains, N.J., and St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church, Plainfield.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Joseph C.
Surviving are her daughters, Joan Peterson and Barbara A. Aszuk, both of Plainfield; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 9:15 a.m. Monday at the Higgins Home for Funerals, 209 W. Eighth St., Plainfield, with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Scotch Plains. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery, Dallas. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Finn, Helen
Feb. 7, 2001
Helen V. Finn, of North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre, died Wednesday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Aug. 22, 1906, in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late George and Victoria (McCloskey) Grantuskas. She attended Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre. She was a clerk in the Wilkes-Barre City Tax Office, retiring in 1974. She was a member of Holy Trinity Church, Wilkes-Barre, its Christian Mothers, and the Wilkes-Barre Democratic Club and an associate member of American Legion Post 132, Wilkes-Barre.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Raymond Conrad; second husband, Patrick J. Finn; and brothers, George, Joseph and Anthony Grantuskas.
Surviving are her sons, Robert, Long Island, N.Y.; Albert, Mountaintop; and Edward, at home; daughters, Dolores Hadden, at home; and Pat Peterman, Kingston; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; brother, Albert Grantuskas, Garwood, N.J.; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Saturday from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 N. Meade St., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Bear Creek.
Hudak, Helen
Feb. 9, 2001
Helen C. Hudak, 96, of Monument Avenue, Wyoming, formerly of Mason Street, Exeter, died Friday at the home of her niece, Barbara Konopka.
Born in Exeter, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Anna (Pavlick) Cicon. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, Pittston, and its Christian Womens' Society.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John V.; sister, Anna Kowalewski; and brothers, Joseph, Charles and Michael Cicon.
Surviving are her brother, John Cicon, Exeter; sisters, Mary Cicon and Irene Cerza, both of Exeter; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday from the Frank A. Gubbiotti Funeral Home, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Exeter. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Memorial donations may be made to The Passionate Nuns, 631 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, 18411-8899.
Hunter, Mary
Jan. 31, 2001
Mary Hunter, formerly of Manhattan, New York City, died Jan. 31 at Pocono Medical Center, Stroudsburg.She was born Dec. 7, 1912, in Belfast, Ireland. She was a cook for Our Lady of the Scapular Catholic Church, New York City, for over 25 years.
Kapral, Andrew
February 9, 2001
Andrew Kapral, of Hill Street, Swoyersville, died Friday in the Hospice Care of the VNA Unit at Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre.
Born and raised in Swoyersville, he was the son of the late Charles and Barbara Yurko Kapral. He attended the Swoyersville schools.
He resided in Linden, N.J., before returning to Swoyersville. He was employed as a coal miner and later by Tencho Coffee, before retiring in 1974. He was a member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Swoyersville.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; brothers, Emery, Robert, Michael, Carl and George; sisters, Katherine Servillo, Mary Rusinko, Pauline Lazorick, Barbara Mussell, Helen Worrell and Margaret.
Surviving are sons, Andrew C., Swoyersville; daughters, Lorraine Lisman, Wilkes-Barre; Georgiann Helmstetter, Rochester, Mich.; M. Barbara Coniglio, Parker, Colo.; brothers, William, Wellingboro, N.J.; John, Levittown; Joseph, Trenton, N.J.; sisters, Madeline Rubitski, Binghamton, N.Y.; Irene Kasloski, Plymouth; Frances Stavish, Morrisville; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday from the Joseph L. Wroblewski Funeral Home, 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with Office of Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. in St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, with the Rev. Jody Baran officiating. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Swoyersville. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today.Sun Parastas services will be conducted at 7 p.m. by the Rev. Jody Baran. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of the VNA Unit at Heritage House.
Kluxen, Theresa
Feb 7, 2001
Theresa H. (Lech) Kluxen, 51, of Bloomfield, N.J., formerly of Wilkes-Barre, died Wednesday at Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville, N.J.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of Theresa (Hidock) Lech and the late Stanley Lech. She was a secretary with Three Ring Federal Credit Union, Springfield, N.J., for the past five years.
Surviving, in addition to her mother, are her husband, William F.; daughters, Lisa Tuting and Kristin Bethel; one grandson; sister, Rochelle Gill; and brother, Stanley Lech.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Monday from the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre St., Nutley, N.J., with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Bloomfield. Interment will be in Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield.
Michaels, Lottie
Feb. 9, 2001
Lottie A. Michaels, of North Welles Avenue, Kingston, died Friday at her residence.
Born in Kingston, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Hedwig (Sienkiewicz) Turel. She attended the Kingston area schools and was a graduate of the former Kingston High School. She worked for the former Acme Markets, Forty Fort, and Regency Catering, Wilkes-Barre, before retiring. She was a member of Sacred Heart/St. John's Parish Community, North Wilkes-Barre.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John W.; and brothers, Joseph, John, Stanley and Anthony Turel.
Surviving are her sons, James A., at home; and John F., Swoyersville; five grandchildren; sister, Sophie Skvarla, Kingston; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday from the John V. Morris Funeral Home, 625 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funer~al Mass at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, 601 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Dallas. Friends may call from 8:30 a.m. until time of services Monday. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter, Kirby Health Center, 71 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, 18701.
Ortolani, Natalie
Feb. 8, 2001
Natalie Ortolani, of Tiffany Court, Kingston, formerly of North River Street, Plains Township, died Thursday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Stella (Melman) Trosko. She attended Plains Township schools. She and her late husband, Anthony, owned and operated the Hollis and Grand Hotels in Manhattan. She was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Church, Plains Township.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Anthony, Joseph and John Trosko.
Surviving are her sons, Anthony, Long Island, N.Y.; and Dominic, Bear Creek; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday from the Michael J. Mikelski Funeral Home, 293 S. River St., Plains Township, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at SS. Peter & Paul Church. Interment will be in Italian Independent Cemetery, West Wyoming. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday and 8:30 a.m. until time of services Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to SS. Peter & Paul Church Building Fund.
Rzodski, Helen
Feb. 9, 2001
Helen A. Rzodski, 80, of Nottingham Street, Plymouth, died Friday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born March 22, 1920, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Catherine (Wagner) Madajewski. She attended Plymouth High School. She was a seamstress for United Pants Co., Plymouth, before retiring. She was a member of St. Mary's-St. Stephen's Parish Community, Plymouth, and the Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars Shawnee Post 1425.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mitchell C.; and brother, Harry Bower.
Surviving are her son, Mitchell J., Binghamton, N.Y.; twin daughters, Donna Skechus, Pittston; and Deborah Rzodski, with whom she resided; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild; sisters, Geraldine Dzanis, Miners Mills section of Wilkes-Barre; and Irene Rudick, Trenton, N.J.; aunts, one uncle, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 8:30 a.m. Monday from the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 W. Main St., Plymouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Mary's Nativity Church, Plymouth. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Plymouth Township. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. A Prayer service will be held Sunday at the funeral home. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Shawnee Post 1425 will conduct services at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, Wilkes-Barre; Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Luzerne County, 524 E. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, 18702; or to the Diabetes Association of America, Wilkes-Barre.
Shannon, Phillip
Feb. 9, 2001
Phillip "Butch" Shannon, of Harveys Lake, died Friday at home.
Born Sept. 25, 1942, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Norman and Sarah Jane (Zacharias) Shannon. He was a graduate of Tunkhannock High School. He was an electrician for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 102. He attended the Alderson United Methodist Church.
Surviving are his sisters, Judy Gramley, Beaumont; Betty Swire, Tennessee; and Virginia Steinruck, Hunlock Creek; two aunts, one uncle, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday from the Nulton Funeral Home, Route 309, Beaumont, with the Rev. W. William Kennard officiating. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Harveys Lake. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Turner Jr., Thomas
Feb. 8, 2001
Thomas Turner Jr., 26, of Center Street, Pittston, was found dead in Dupont on Thursday.
Born June 4, 1973, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of Theresa (Rinkavage) Marchel, Pittston, and Thomas Turner Sr., Nanticoke. He was a 1992 graduate of Pittston Area High School. He worked at Medico Industries, Plains Township.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Elmer and Elsie Turner.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his sister, Stephanie Marchel, at home; maternal grandparents, Edward Rinkavage, Pittston; and Maryann Jones, Baltimore.
The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday from the Kizis-Lokuta Funeral Home, 134 Church St., Pittston, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Casimir's Church, Pittston. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Metras, Donald
Dec. 31, 2001
Donald S. Metras, 63, of North Street, Harrisburg, died Monday in Harrisburg. Born April 12, 1938, in Glen Lyon, he was the son of the late Stanley and Mafalda (Pierontoni) Metras. He was a 1956 Newport Township High School graduate. He attended Wilkes-Barre Business College for two years. He was a clerk typist for the state Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Oil and Gas Management for 41 years, retiring in January 2001. He was a member of the Retired Public Employees, AFSCME Chapter 13, Sub Chapter 1001 of Pennsylvania, the Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick's Church, Harrisburg, and YMCA East Shore Branch.
Ruskin, Vincent
Dec. 28, 2001
Vincent J. Ruskin, 61, of Walnut Street, Coal Township, died Friday at home. Born June 17, 1940, in Nanticoke, he was the son of the late Dominic Ruskin and the late Laura (Fanucci) Ruskin Nardozza. He was educated in Newport Township Public Schools. He attended a Methodist college in Virgina and the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. Before retirement, he was a state trooper, serving at the Shamokin and Selinsgrove barracks. He entered the U.S. Navy on June 16, 1958, and served on the USS Canberra. He was a member of the former St. Dennis Church, Glen Lyon, and the Fraternal Order of Police. He was also active in the state police rodeo and coached the tigers midget football team years ago.
Feldman, William
Dec. 31, 2001
William M. Feldman, 25, of River Street, Forty Fort, died unexpectedly on Monday at home. Funeral arrangements are pending from the Hugh B. Hughes & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.
Killian, Anna
Dec. 30, 2001
Anna M. Killian, 103, died Sunday at Hampton House, where she had been a resident since 1983. She formerly resided in Huntington Mills and Shickshinny. Born Dec. 2, 1898, in Union Township, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Amanda Stephens Killian. She was educated in Union Township schools. She was an early telephone operator in Huntington Mills, managing the switchboard from her residence with her sister, the late Jenny Harvey. She was a member of the United Methodist Church.
Glosser, Mary
Dec. 31, 2001
Mary A. Glosser, 84, of Larksville, formerly of north Wilkes-Barre, died Monday at Manor Care Health Services, Kingston. Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late William and Susan (McDonough) Tremerka. She was a 1935 Coughlin High School graduate. She had been employed by the J.B. Carr Biscuit Co., Wilkes-Barre Lace Manufacturing Co. and Hickory Hat Co., all of Wilkes-Barre. She was a member of the Parish Community of Sacred Heart/St. John the Evangelist, Wilkes-Barre.
