Obituaries by LocationThomas, Thalia
January 5, 2002
Thalia Ann Thomas, 66, of Forty Fort, died Saturday at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born April 22, 1935, in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of Alice C. Thomas, Forty Fort, and the late Thomas C. Thomas. She was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, and College Misericordia, Dallas. She completed graduate work at Pius XII Institute of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy, and earned three master's degrees: fine arts and fine arts in education from Columbia University, painting from the University of Guanajuanto, Mexico, and art therapy from Marywood. She was a faculty member at Marywood University where she was an assistant professor of art and served as assistant chairperson of the graduate and undergraduate departments of art.
She exhibited her art in Harrisburg; New York City; Florence, Italy; San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; and Nottingham, England.
She served on the search committee for the Everhart Museum and volunteered for the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, WVIA annual phonathon and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
She received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to scholarship and art.
She was preceded in death
by her brother, Charles.
Surviving, in addition to her mother, are her sisters, Miriam Noussair, Forty Fort; Theresa Habib, Kingston; Janice Joseph, Boca Raton, Fla.; brothers, Thomas C., Jr., Forty Fort; John J., Forty Fort; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday from McLaughlin Family Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass 10 a.m. at St. Anthony's Maronite Church, Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105, or to the Thalia Ann Thomas Scholarship Fund, Marywood University, Advancement Office, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, 18509.
Gay, Ruth
Jan. 6, 2002
LShe was born June 4, 1915, in Verona, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of the late Rev. George Ralph and the late Maude (Stark) Ralph.
She marriage George Gay on July 4, 1939, in Perth, Ontario and worked as a teacher in Tunkhannock and in Canada. She was a member of the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church and was the former choir director and a member of the choir for over 50 years. She also worked at the family business, Gay's True Value in Tunkhannock. She was a member of the Tunkhannock Women's Club, Tunkhannock Chapter 74, Order of the Eastern Star, volunteer at Tyler Memorial Hospital for many years, and was involved in the bridge club of Wyoming County and Ladies Bible Study Group of Tunkhannock.
She is survived by her husband, and three sons, George, of Waldorf, Md., and Doug and Dave, of Tunkhannock. She was proceeded in death by three sisters, Cora, Mabel and Jesse, and a brother, Wilfred. She has eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. Roger Richards will preside.
Interment will be at the Sunnyside Cemetery, Tunkhannock.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, at the Harding-Litwin Funeral Home, 123 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Tyler Health Foundation, 880 State Route 6, Tunkhannock, 18657.
Fennick, Adolph
January 6, 2002
Adolph F. Fennick, of East Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre Township, died Sunday at his home.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre.
Franklin, Sharon
January 5, 2002
Sharon M. Franklin, 44, of Main Street, Laceyville, died suddenly Saturday at Tyler Memorial Hospital, Tunkhannock.
Born April 19, 1957, in Meshoppen, she was a daughter of Francis H. and Jennie M. (Wandall) Owen, Laceyville. She attended Wyalusing Valley High School.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Eugene.
Surviving, in addition to her parents, are her son, Stanley, Laceyville; daughters, Shelly and Stacey, both of Tunkhannock; brothers, Carl and Dennis, both of Laceyville; sisters, Carol Estell, Montrose; and Sandra Thompson, Laceyville; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday from the Sheldon Funeral Homes, Main Street, Laceyville, with the Rev. Ruth Breitweiser, retired Methodist minister, officiating. Interment will be in Lacey Street Cemetery, Laceyville. Friends may call from noon until the time of the service Wednesday.
Helfrich, Gloria
January 5, 2002
Gloria "Mitzi" (McAvoy) Helfrich, 74, of Linden, N.J., died Saturday at home.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was a 1948 graduate of the Mercy Hospital Nursing School, Wilkes-Barre. She worked many years as a registered nurse at the Linden Board of Health, Linden, and at Elizabeth General Medical Center, Elizabeth, N.J. She was a member of St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, Linden, and had worked as its bingo caller for many years.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Harold and Joseph; and sisters, Emily Jones and Margaret.
Surviving are her husband of 53 years, John O., Linden; sons William J., Linden; Jack J., Clark, N.J.; daughter, Sharon M. Cifello, Linden; six grandchildren; and sister, Doris McAvoy, Wilkes-Barre.
Funeral services will be 9:15 a.m. Thursday from the Werson Funeral Home, 635 N. Wood St., Linden, N.J., with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa's Church. Interment will be in St. Gertrude's Cemetery, Colonia, N.J. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Shrine of St. Jude, 205 W. Monroe St., Chicago, IL, 60606.
Hill, Edith
January 6, 2002
Edith Hill, 90, of West Shawnee Avenue, Plymouth, died Sunday at Riverstreet Manor, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Plymouth, she was a daughter of the late Owen and Edith (Hughes) Williams. She was a 1929 graduate of Plymouth High School. Before her retirement, she had worked for many years as a civilian employee for the U.S. Air Force in Middletown and in Ogden, Utah. She was a member of the former Welsh Presbyterian Church, Plymouth, where she served as treasurer. She was also a member of the First Welsh Baptist Church, Plymouth. She was a life member of the Welsh Gymanfa Ganu Association, the Plymouth Cambrian Club, N.A.R.F.E. and the Silver and Gold Senior Citizens Club, St. Vincent's Church, Plymouth.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Trevor, Fred, Kenneth and George; and sisters, Annie and Ruth.
Surviving are her sister, Dorothy Klimchak, Plymouth; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday from the William A. Reese Funeral Chapel, rear 56 Gaylord Ave., Plymouth, with the Rev. Anita J. Ambrose officiating. Interment will be in Edge Hill Cemetery, West Nanticoke. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial donations may be sent to the Plymouth Public Library.
Inman, Roy
January 5, 2002
Roy C. Inman, 80, of Kingston, died Saturday at the Hospice Community Care Unit at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Feb. 26, 1921, in Luzerne, he was a son of the late Mark and Stella (Nulton) Inman. He was a 1939 graduate of Luzerne High School, a 1941 graduate of the Dean School of Business at Wyoming Seminary and a 1947 graduate of the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre extension. Before his retirement, he worked at Nesbitt Hospital, Kingston, as the manager of patient accounts and credit manager. He worked previously for First National Bank, Wilkes-Barre; Standard Equipment Co., Kingston; and at the life and health insurance coordinator for the Pennsylvania Gas & Water Co., Wilkes-Barre. He was a member of the Dorranceton United Methodist Church, Kingston; Kingston Lodge 395, F.&A.M.; and was active in many committees and community organizations.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Kenneth, Albert and James.
Surviving are his wife, the former, Margaret Fry; sons, Mark, Follansbee, W.Va.; and John, Endicott, N.Y.; three grandchildren; sister, Madeline Burns, Luzerne; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Dorranceton United Methodist Church, 549 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, with the Rev. William Townsend officiating. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call at the church from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday. Kingston Lodge 395 will conduct Masonic services 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Memorial donations may be made to the church, or Hospice Community Care, 385 Wyoming Ave, Kingston, 18704. Arrangements are by the Karl E. Blight Funeral Home, Kingston.
Krolikowski, Eugene
January 4, 2002
Eugene Krolikowski, 94, of East Main St., Glen Lyon, died Friday the Hospice Community Care in Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Glen Lyon July 10, 1907, he was the son of the late Alexander and Josephine (Mihalski) Krolikowski.
He was a life-long resident of Glen Lyon. He was a graduate of Newport Township High School and Bloomsburg State Teachers College.
He was an elementary school teacher in Newport Township.
He was preceded in death by brothers Walter and Joseph; sisters Antoinette Meshinski, Johanna Anskis, Stephanie Krolikowski and Helen Krolikowski. He is survived by several nieces.
The funeral will be held at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday from the George A. Strish Inc. Funeral Home, 211 West Main St., Glen Lyon with a Mass of Christian Burial at Corpus Christi Parish, St. Adalbert's Church, Market St., Glen Lyon. Interment will be in the Parish Cemetery. Friends may call From 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of service.
Munchberg, Sophie
January 5, 2002
Sophie M. Munchberg, 90, of Manville, N.J., formerly of the Korn Krest section of Hanover Township, died Saturday in Manville.
Born April 3, 1911, in Nanticoke, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Antonia (Marklewicz) Klus. She and her late husband, Henry, owned and operated Munchberg's Food Market in Korn Krest for many years. She was a member of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, Buttonwood section of Hanover Township, the former Ladies Social Welfare Club and the Ladies Excelsion Club, Wilkes-Barre.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Edward and Henry Pazgan; sisters, Mary Stryzynski, Celia Garnett, Helen Rhodes and Stella Wanchisen.
Surviving are her daughters, Rita Jones, Manville; and Joan Oldsey, Freehold, N.J.; brother, Tony Pazgan; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Leona Adamski and Florence Pazgan, both of Nanticoke.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday from Charles V. Sherbin Funeral Home, 630 Main Rd., Hanover Green section of Hanover Township, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the church.
Sirak, Theodore
January 5, 2002
Theodore Sirak, 74, of Main Road, Hunlock Creek, died Saturday at the Veterans Medical Center, Plains Township.
Born Dec. 28, 1927, in the Buttonwood section of Hanover Township, he was a son of the late Michael and Anna (Kotlar) Sirak. He attended Hunlock Creek United Methodist Church. He was a veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Local 5 Brick Layers Union.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Audrey Flynn; sister, Mary Dran; and brother, Stephen.
Surviving are his sons, Larry and Bruce, both of Wanamie; two grandchildren; sisters, Anna Zeveney, Olga Uhas and Julia Yuhas, all of the Buttonwood section of Hanover Township; brothers, Michael, Buttonwood section of Hanover Township; Joseph, Wilkes-Barre; Peter, Askam; and John, Nevada.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Clark Piatt Funeral Home, Inc., 6 Sunset Lake Rd., Hunlock Creek, with the Rev. Karen Allen officiating. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Pikes Creek. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Skillens, Leonard
January 6, 2002
Leonard Skillens, of St. James Street, Plains, died Sunday at the Hospice Community Care Unit of Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Plains Township, he was a son of the late Joseph an Theodora (Kulikowski) Skillens. He attended Plains Township schools. Before his retirement, he was employed by the Chamberlain Corporation, Scranton. He was a member of St. Francis Church, Miners Mills section of Wilkes-Barre.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Helen Pelzar; brothers, Walter Kulikowski and Bernard Skillens; and sisters, Helen Ebert and Catherine Kulikowski.
Surviving are his sister, Beatrice Skillens, New York; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 9 a.m. Wednesday from the Michael J. Mikelski Funeral Home, 293 S. River St., Plains. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Church. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Plains. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Andes Jr., Robert
Jan. 7, 2002
Robert J. Andes Jr., 61, of Panther Valley, Allamuchy, N.J., formerly of Byram, N.J., died Monday at his home. Born May 4, 1940, in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of Robert J. Andes Sr., Texas, and the late Marion (Stevens) Andes. He was a provisional manager for Western Union International, Piscataway, N.J., retiring in 1996. He served in the Navy from 1958 to 1962. He was a past post commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10059 from 1994 to 1996. He was a member of the American Legion Post 278, Musconetcong, N.J., where he was post adjutant. He was a member of Veterans of Vietnam Association Chapter 327. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge 2414, Piscataway.
Puscavage, Mary
Jan. 6, 2002
Mary (Costello) Puscavage, 75, of Pittston, died Sunday at Hospice Community Care at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre. Born July 23, 1926 in Pittston, she was a daughter of the late Angelo and Louise (Sorce) Costello. She was a 1944 graduate of Pittston High School. She worked in the garment industry, before retiring in 1988. She was a member of St. Rocco's Church, Pittston.~
Stiller, Lillian
Jan. 8, 2002
Lillian Stiller, 95, formerly of White Haven, died Tuesday in Morgantown, W.Va.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Joseph E. Lehman Funeral Home Inc.
Zurla, Rosemary
Jan. 7, 2002
Rosemary Zurla, 75, of Exeter, died Monday at the Mercy Center Nursing Unit, Dallas.
Born June 6, 1926 in Duryea, she was a daughter of the late Vito and Philomena (Noto) Degillio. She was a graduate of Duryea High School and earned her nursing diploma from Pittston Hospital School of Nursing, bachelor of science degree in nursing education from College Misericordia and master's of science degree in education from the University of Scranton. She was director of the Pittston Hospital School of Nursing since 1967 and then Geisinger Wyoming Valley School of Nursing, until it closed in 1988. She was a member of the American Nurses Association, National League of Nursing and the Diploma Council of the American Hospital Association. She was a charter member of the Health Systems Agency of Northeast Pennsylvania and Nursing Education Consortium and executive board member of the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania. She was a member of the Diploma Council, past president of the Mental Health Association of Luzerne County, served on the professional advisory board of the Visiting Nurses Association and was past board member of the Pennsylvania Nurses Association. She was also a member and past president of the Business and Professional Women Organization.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis; brothers, Vincent, Nick, Alfred, George and Bill; and sisters, Esther and Romain.
Surviving are her daughter, Lois Macr~i, Dallas; three grandchildren; sister, Eleanor D'Elia, Exeter; and brothers, Fred, Michigan; and John, New Jersey.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday from the Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home, 140 N. Main St., Shavertown, Kingston Township, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Mercy Center, Dallas. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton, Kingston Township. Friends way call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Mercadante, Anthony
Jan. 6, 2002
Anthony John Mercadante, of Seattle, died Sunday at Harbor View Medical Center, Seattle.
Born Dec. 16, 1942 in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Anthony and Rose (Nardone) Mercadante. He attended GAR Memorial High School. He was a chef in Florida and Washington.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph; and sisters, Rosemary Perillo, Angie Hughes and Antoinette.
Surviving are his close friend with whom he resided, Mark Cronk; brothers, Carmen, Wilkes-Barre; and Philip, Wilkes-Barre; and sister, Josephine Farrell, Wilkes-Barre.
Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Kazokas, Charles
Jan. 8, 2002
Charles Kazokas, 88, of North Street, Luzerne, died Tuesday at home.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Betz-Jastremski Funeral Home Inc., 568 Bennett St., Luzerne.
