Obituaries by LocationVisneski, Paul
July 20, 2000
Paul P. Visneski, of Maple Lane, Tunkhannock, died Thursday at his home.
Born Dec. 13, 1931, in Eaton Township, Wyoming County, he was a son of the late Benjamin and Anna (Stacknick) Visneski. He was a 1950 graduate of Tunkhannock High School and boiler maker with Local 13, serving as Eastern Field supervisor for Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Co. He was a member of the Church of Nativity BVM, Tunkhannock, and the Father Francis Perkowski Knights of Columbus.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Ellie (Ross) Visneski; sons, Dr. Paul E., Lancaster; Gary W., Danville; Todd A., Clarks Summit; and Mark D., Highland Lake, N.Y.; eight grandchildren; and sister, Isabelle McArther, Duryea.
He was preceded in death
by his brothers, Chester and Benjamin; and sister, Wanda Berginski.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Monday from the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at the Church of Nativity BVM. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Nativity BVM, 90 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, 18657; or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Yateshin, Frances
July 21, 2000
Frances Yateshin, of South Empire Street, Wilkes-Barre, died Friday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Feb. 16, 1925, in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Skrzenta) Kotarba. She attended Marymount Grade School and was a 1943 graduate of Coughlin High School, both of Wilkes-Barre. She was a seamstress with several dress factories and a member of St. Mary's Church of The Maternity, Wilkes-Barre; and the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Victoria Bilski; and brothers, Stanley, John, Walter, Joseph and Frank.
Surviving are her husband of 52 years, John; son, John, Las Vegas; and sisters, Josephine Washick and Helen Pacewicz, both of Wilkes-Barre; and Florence Casey, Ashley.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 N. Meade St., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Church of The Maternity. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, West Wyoming. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Zelasko, Josephine
July 20, 2000
Josephine Zelasko, 85, of Hazle Street, Swoyersville, died Thursday at the Frankford Hospital, Langhorne.
Born Sept. 11, 1914, in Wyoming, she was a daughter of the late John and Sophia Krawietz. She was a member of Holy Name-St. Mary's Church and American Legion Auxiliary Post 644, both of Swoyersville.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward Ruzicki; second husband, Stanley Zelasko; brothers, John, Joseph and Frank; and sisters, Mary, Stella, Sophie, Blanche and Jennie.
Surviving are her daughters, Sylvia Luther, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Genevieve Pasek, Levittown; and Sandra Baron, Milford; son, Edward Ruzicki; Swoyersville; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Leo Krawietz, Trucksville section of Kingston Township; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday from the Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Holy Name-St. Mary's Church. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Swoyersville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Swoyersville Ambulance Fund.
Kachur, Stephen
July 19, 2000
Archpriest Stephen Basil Kachur, 86, died July 19 in Tucson, Ariz., from complications from the onset of acute leukemia.
He was born Aug. 15, 1913, in Novoe Davidkovo, Austro-Hungary. He was a graduate of the Pontifical Urbanium University, Vatican City, Rome, with a baccalaureate degree in philosophy and doctorate in sacred theology, and received a Juris doctorate from John Marshall Law School, Chicago. He was admitted to the Illinois bar and was a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Bureau of the United Charities of Chicago. He was a pastor of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Edwardsville, and was received by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1951. His pastorate was in Crossingville, Edwardsville, Chicago, and also served at the Russian Orthodox Church of the Assumption of The Holy Virgin Mary, Clifton, N.J.
He was preceded in death by his son, Mark.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, the former Elizabeth Dolores Deak; sons, Stephen, Oakland, Calif.; Paul, New York; Timothy, Sussex, N.J.; Matthew, Tuckahoe, N.Y.; and John, Pittsburgh; daughter, Daria Hagen, Seattle; 11 grandchildren; brother, Basil, Sydney, Australia; and sister, Olena Kachur, Ukraine.
Burial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery Church, South Canaan, with the Archbishop Herman officiating. Interment will be in St. Tikhon's Orthodox Cemetery, South Canaan. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery, South Canaan; or to St. John's Orthodox Monastery, Hiram, Ohio. Arrangements are by the Russin Funeral Homes, Plains Township and Edwardsville.
Peterson Jr., Robert
July 21, 2000
Robert C. Peterson Jr., 82, of Buck Mountain Road, Zion Grove, died Friday at his residence.
Born Nov. 10, 1917, in Stockton, he was a son of the late Robert, Sr., and E. Gertrude (Frey) Peterson. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and received the Purple Heart Award for his service during the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member and church council member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Nuremberg, member of the United Mine Workers Union, F & A Masons Frackville Lodge 737 and Shenandoah Lodge 511, and Ringtown Post of the American Legion and a 32nd degree Mason of the Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg.
Surviving are his wife of 52 years, the former Bernice Lasko; son, Robert, III, Mountaintop; daughters, Miriam Kosatschkow and Mary Ellen Laberta, both of Hazleton; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Bewley, Wallingford; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Esther Habbersett and Miriam Sundy; brother, John; and grandson, Douglas Stein.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Nuremberg, with the Rev. Thomas Beam officiating. Relatives and friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Stauffer-Heizenroth Funeral Home, 412 W. Main St., Ringtown, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in the Mount Zion Cemetery, Zion Grove. Arrangements are by the Stauffer-Heizenroth Funeral Home.
Dymond, Jean E. and Robert S.
July 11, 2000
Robert S. and Jean E. Dymond, of Roanoke, Va., and formerly of West Pittston, passed away on Tuesday, July 11.
Surviving are their beloved children, Leon R. Dymond, Everson, Wash.; Gail K. Dymond, Charlotte, N.C.; Leigh E. Dymond, Roanoke; three grandchildren, Frederick A. Coots III, Jennifer B. Coots and Bridget L. Lynch; as well as numerous dear friends and loving relatives, especially first cousins, Leon D. Emmanuel and wife Jean, West Pittston; William K. Emmanuel and wife Martha, Elwyn.
Robert "Bob," son of Mary Kleintob and Ernest L. Dymond, is survived by a brother, Glenn F. Dymond, West Pittston. Bob was a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in World War II; member of the Amityville, N.Y., Lodge #977 A.F.& A.M.; member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Rockville Center, Long Island, N.Y.; a noble of the Kismet Shrine Temple, New Hyde Park, N.Y.; and a retired carpenter with the Amityville School System, Long Island.
Jean, daughter of Arthur B. Emmanuel and Lenora Smith, is survived by a sister, Marietta E. Gay, Dallas. Jean was a registered nurse who attended Nesbitt Memorial School of Nursing, Kingston, and was a past Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star.
Bob and Jean were members of the Orange United Methodist Church, Orange.
The Rev. Jackson Cox will officiate a memorial service at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at Orange United Methodist Church, West Eighth Street, Orange. Interment will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Orange United Methodist Church or to the Shriners Children's Hospital.
Jefferson, Ruth
July 21, 2000
Ruth K. Jefferson, 85, formerly of Shoemaker Avenue, West Wyoming, died Friday in Wesley Village Nursing Center, where she was a resident for the past three years.Born April 24, 1915, in Mount Zion, she was the daughter of the late Bert W. and Lula Long Kitchen. She graduated from West Pittston High School and Pittston Hospital School of Nursing.
Deppner, Lewis
July 21, 2000
Lewis J. Deppner, of Hyde Park, N.Y., died Friday at St. Francis Hospital after a brief illness.Born July 24, 1936, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Lewis J. and Elizabeth Williams Deppner. He was a 1954 graduate of Coughlin High School and attended King's College. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force, after serving four years.
Edgar, Irene
July 22, 2000
Irene E. Edgar, 87, formerly of Goss Trailer Park, Mount Holly, N.J., died Saturday at ManorCare Health Services, Kingston.
Born June 23, 1913, in Larksville, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Elizabeth Petchu Bertos. She attended St. Stephen's Parochial School, Plymouth.
She was preceded in death by her companion, Harry Fields; husband, Pierce E. Edgar; sisters, Mary Bellas and Elizabeth Pascavage.
Surviving are nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at the convenience of the family from the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 W. Main St., Plymouth. Interment was in St. Stephen's Cemetery, Lehman.
Marsico, Patrick
July 22, 2000
Patrick J. Marsico Sr., 75, of Fallon Street, Old Forge, died Saturday at the Mercy Hospital Hospice Unit, Scranton, after a brief illness.
Born May 31, 1925, in Old Forge, he was the son of the late Anthony and Helen Tedesco Marsico. He was educated in the Old Forge School District.
Before retiring, he was employed in the maintenance department of the Pennsylvania Gas & Water Co. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Old Forge.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Elizabeth D'Amico; second wife, the former Carmel Pizzichemi; brother, Louis; and sister, Lucy Sassi.
Surviving are his sons, Patrick J., Jr., Plattsburgh, N.Y.; David M., Old Forge; brothers, John and Joseph, both of Old Forge; sisters, Josephine LaPresti and Rose Angeli, both of Old Forge; five grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday from the Victor M. Ferri Funeral Home, 522 Fallon St., Old Forge, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, West Grace Street, Old Forge. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Austin Heights section of Old Forge. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday.
Valigra, Matthew
July 22, 2000
Matthew Bartholomew Valigra, 80, of Bethlehem, died Saturday at St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill.
Born Jan. 24, 1920, in Ambridge, he was the son of the late Stanley and Natalia (Olszewska) Valigra. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Wilkes University and a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work, Philadelphia.
He worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the Eastern Pennsylvania Council for the Blind, Wilkes-Barre, and was also a psychiatric social worker at the Lehigh Valley Guidance Clinic, Allentown. He last served as the executive director of Northampton County Assistance, retiring in 1985.
He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem and the National Association of Social Workers.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Irmgard (Foertig) Valigra.
Surviving are his daughters, Rosemarie Rue, Reisterstown, Md.; Lori Valigra, Cambridge, Mass.; and two granddaughters.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday from the First Presbyterian Church Chapel. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Connell Funeral Home, Inc., 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem. Interment will be in Bethlehem Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem.
Van Why, Rita
July 22, 2000
Rita M. Van Why, of Park Avenue Towers, Wilkes-Barre, died Saturday in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.Funeral arrangements are pending from the Leo P. Lehman Funeral Home, 689 Hazle Ave., Wilkes-Barre.
May, Anthony
July 22, 2000
Anthony May, formerly of Wyoming, died Saturday at the Hospice Care of the VNA, Wilkes-Barre.Born in West Wyoming, he was the son of the late Dominick and Dorthea Bargiacchi Mei. He resided in Nebraska for 40 years before moving to Wyoming 17 years ago.
Nolan, Robert
July 22, 2000
Robert B. "Bud" Nolan, 86, of Atlantic Beach, Fla., formerly of Mountaintop, died Saturday at St. Luke's Hospital.
Born July 5, 1914, in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Patrick and Jane (Early) Nolan.
He was a graduate of St. Mary's High School, Wilkes-Barre, and the Wyoming Seminary Dean School of Business, where he was inducted into the sports hall of fame. He earned a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University where he was quarterback on the football team and earned All-American Honorable Mention.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving as a lieutenant platoon leader in the Fifth Infantry Regiment and as a major battalion executive officer after the war.
He was president of the Nolan Sales Co.
He was a member of St. Jude's Parish and the Wyoming Valley Country Club, and a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by his brother, John J.
Surviving are his daughters, Helen Judith Cahill, Darien, Conn.; Patricia Jane Nolan, Carmel, Calif.; Maura Nolan Holdampf, New York; Deirdre Nolan, Frederick, Md.; and Kathy McWilliams, Ponte Vedra, Fla.; sons, Robert B. Jr., Greenwich, Conn.; and John J., Tustin, Calif.; nine grandchildren; sisters, Jane Nolan Smith, Coles Point, Va.; and Katherine Nolan Klein, Montoursville.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday from the McLaughlin Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception, Wilkes-Barre.
Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Ancas, Carmela M.
July 20, 2000
Carmela M. (Rizzo) Ancas, of Brookline, Mass., formerly of New Cumberland, died July 20, 2000.
She was the wife of the late John R. Ancas; beloved mother of Richard J. Ancas, of Shrewsbury, N.J.; and Karen A. Ancas-Santos, of West Roxbury, Mass.; sister of Margaret Harmanos, of Duryea; Catherine Richards, of Piscataway, N.J.; Rose Scavo, of Old Forge; and the late Michael Rizzo. She is also survived by three grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from the Graziano Funeral Home, 700 Pittston Blvd., Pittston, Wednesday at 9 a.m., with a funeral Mass at St. Casimir's Church, Pittston, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be prior to the funeral Mass. Burial will be in St. Casimir's Cemetery, Pittston. Donations in memory of Carmela may be made to The American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, Mass., 01701. Arrangements were completed by the Keefe Keohane Funeral Home, 8 Spring St., corner of Centre Street, West Roxbury, Mass.
Knorr, Harry
July 22, 2000
Harry R. "Skeeter" Knorr, 44, of East Sixth Street, Berwick, died Saturday in the emergency room at the Berwick Hospital Center.
Born Dec. 18, 1955, in Berwick, he was a son of Katherine (Peters) Knorr, Briggsville, and the late Robert Knorr.
He was a 1974 graduate of Berwick High School.
He was a salesman for Siegel Distributing Co., Breiningsville, and a plant manager at Skytech Systems, Bloomsburg.
He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Nescopeck, and the Berwick Elks, junior warden of Knapp Lodge No. 462 F&AM, and past fire chief of the Nescopeck Township Fire Co.
Surviving in addition to his mother are his wife of four years, the former Bobbi Jo Kishbaugh; sons, Harry Jr., Berwick; and Michael and Brian, both of Nescopeck; stepsons, Steven Schloyer, stationed aboard the U.S.S. Eisenhower, Norfolk, Va.; and Eric Schloyer, at home; brother, Robert, Syracuse, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Nescopeck.
Interment will be in Elan Memorial Park, Lime Ridge.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Heller Funeral Home, 633 E. Third St., Nescopeck, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Masonic service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Elks service will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Memorial donations may be made to the memorial fund of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 335, Nescopeck, Pa. 18635, or to the scholarship fund of Knapp Lodge No. 462 F&AM, 1337 Orange St., Berwick, Pa. 18603.
Hibbert, Loretta
July 22, 2000
Loretta S. (Brankey) Hibbert, of Eaton Terrace, Tunkhannock, died Saturday at her home.
Born Dec. 30, 1919, in Chicago, she was a daughter of the late John and Lena (Schneider) Brankey.
She was a member of the Church of the Nativity B.V.M., Tunkhannock.
Surviving are her husband of 58 years, Harry; daughters, Maria Elena McKee, Patchoque, N.Y.; Cynthia Louise Hibbert, Rensseleaer, N.Y.; and Melissa Tucker, Roslindale, Mass.; sister, Viola Ekstrom, Lemont, Ill.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday from the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Nativity B.V.M.
Interment will be in Pieta Cemetery, Tunkhannock.
Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
