Obituaries by LocationKarsian, Gail
Aug. 19, 2000
Gail E. Karsian, of Charlotte, N.C., died May 6 at her home.
She was the daughter of Mary (Miller) Harding, Wesley Village, Jenkins Township, and the late Claude R. Harding.
Surviving, in addition to her mother, are her son, Laurence V. La Nave, Charlotte; daughter, Lisa C. La Nave, Charlotte; three grandchildren; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Committal Service for the ashes of Gail E. Karsian will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the graveside in Hanover Green Cemetery, Hanover Township. Arrangements are by the H. Merritt Hughes Funeral Home, Inc., 451 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre.
Kocylowski, Stanley
Aug. 14, 2000
Stanley Kocylowski, 86, of East Lansing, Mich., formerly of Detroit, died Monday.
Born in Wilkes-Barre Township, he was a son of the late Anthony, Sr., and Margaret (Wasik) Kocylowski.
He was preceded in death
by his brothers, Edmund, Harry and Joseph; and sister, Regina Podmonski.
Surviving are his wife of 63 years, the former Constance Kabalka; daughter, Mary Brown, East Lansing; brother, Anthony, Jr., Bear Creek; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be private. Funeral arrangements are by the Gorsline-Runciman Co., East Chapel, East Lansing.
Mellner, Esther
Aug. 15, 2000
Esther (Goose) Mellner, 90, of South Welles Street, Kingston, died Tuesday at the Jewish Home of Northeast Pennsylvania, Scranton.
Born in New York City, she was a daughter of the late Kalman and Edel (Shamus) Goose. She worked for the Boston Store and Isaac Long's Department Store, was active with her husband's business, Mellner Window Cleaning Service and was a member of Ohav Zedek Synagogue, Wilkes-Barre, and Jewish Community Center and worthy matron of the Queen Ether Chapter Order of the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Isaac.
Surviving are her son, Alan, Shavertown section of Kingston Township; daughter, Naomi Doren, West Bloomfield, Mich.; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. today from the Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, 348 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Rabbi Meir Rosenberg will officiate. Interment will be in Ohav Zedek Cemetery, Hanover Township. Shiva will be observed in the home of her son, Alan Mellner, 374 Green Pond Road, Midway Manor, Shavertown, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 2 to 4 p.m. Friday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday. Memorial donations may be made to the Esther & Isaac Mellner Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o United Hebrew Institute, Kingston, or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Pastula, Conrad
Aug. 16, 2000
Conrad "Connie" Pastula, of Jersey Road, Plymouth, formerly of Larksville, died Wednesday at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Township.
Born in Larksville, he was a son of the late Peter and Frances (Stelmak) Pastula. He attended Larksville High School and was a electrician for UGI, Hunlock Creek. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater of War, where he received the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph; brothers, Edward, Bernard and Stanley; and sister, Helen Brolet.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, the former Helen Wallace; daughter, Constance "Connie," at home; foster son, Peter Kuscavage, West Nanticoke; brothers, Michael and Donald; sisters, Mary Friedman, Theresa and Arlene Kraynak; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday from the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 W. Main St., Plymouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, Larksville. Interment will be in St. Mary's Nativity Cemetery, Plymouth. A family viewing will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Siwak, Helen
Aug. 15, 2000
Helen Siwak, 80, of West Hollenback Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, died Tuesday at the Riverstreet Manor, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Gregory and Sophie (Pietrowski) Siwak. She attended Wilkes-Barre City schools, was a switchboard operator at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, and member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church, Wilkes-Barre.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Anna and Martha Prela, Julia Panczak and Mary Kusyk; and brother, Emil.
Surviving are nieces and one nephew.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday from the Mary A. Harostock Funeral Home, 480 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be the parish Cemetery, Plains Township. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. A Wake Service will be at 7 p.m. Friday with the Rev. Joseph Horanzy officiating.
Spano, Salvatore
Aug. 9, 2000
Salvatore Spano, 59, of East Grace Street, Old Forge, died August 9 at home.
Born in Scranton, he was a son of the late Peter and Eleanor (French) Spano. He attended Scranton public schools, was a laborer at the Chamberlain Ammunition Corp., Scranton, and member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Old Forge.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas.
Surviving are his wife, the former Charlotte Lee; son, Ronald, Virginia; daughter, Debra Peck, Old Forge; three grandchildren; brothers, Peter and Timothy, both of Scranton; and sister, Edith Richardson, Scranton.
A Memorial Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, West Grace Street, Old Forge. Interment will be in Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 123 W. Grace St., Old Forge, 18518. Arrangements are by the Victor M. Ferri Funeral Home, 522 Fallon St., Old Forge.
Stull, Wayne
Aug. 15, 2000
Wayne A. Stull, 73, of Parkway Manor, Kingston, died Tuesday at his home.
Born in Kingston, he was a son of the late Willard and Althea (Lyons) Stull. He attended Kingston schools and art school in Philadelphia, and was an artist. He worked for the family business, Stull Brothers, formerly in Kingston, and was a member of the Dorranceton United Methodist Church, Kingston, Kingston Lodge 395, F&AM, Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, and Irem Temple, Wilkes-Barre.
Surviving are his sister-in-law, Gertrude Stull, Luzerne, who was his caregiver; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A Private graveside service will be held at Fern Knoll Burial Park, Dallas, with the Rev. Michael Willis officiating. Interment will follow. Memorial donations may be made to the Dorranceton United Methodist Church, Kingston. Arrangements are by the Hugh B. Hughes & Son, Inc., Funeral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.
Teller, Stephen
Stephen Andrews Teller Jr., 90, of North Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, died Tuesday at his home.
Born Dec. 27, 1909, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Stephen Andrews, Sr., and Sarah (Fell) Hughes Teller. He was a 1927 graduate of Wilkes-Barre High School, graduate of Wyoming Seminary, Dickinson College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He practiced law in Wilkes-Barre, where he was a public prosecutor, was a district attorney of Luzerne County, assistant and first assistant district attorney of Luzerne County and prosecutor of the coal mine operators responsible for the Knox Mine Disaster.
He was the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving as lieutenant on a French ship in the Atlantic Theater as a liaison officer to the French navy out of Casablanca, North Africa. He was also the chief trial judge advocate at the United States Naval Base at Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands during World War II.
He was a member and elder of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wilkes-Barre, served the Lackawanna Presbytery and the Trinity Synod, involved with the Shickshinny and Wilkes-Barre rotaries. He was a member of the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, American Bar Association, Penn Club, St. David's Society, Westmoreland Club, Masons and Irem Temple.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Esther Chambers; and grandson, Noah Antrim Lottick.
Surviving are his children, Sally Teller Lottick, Kingston; Dr. David Chambers Teller, Seattle; Susan T. Goodman, Atlanta; Rev. Gailey T. Stoddard, Elmira, N.Y.; and Jonathan C., Esq., New York City; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Hanover and Westminster Streets, Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in Hollenback Cemetery. The Rev. Frank S. Deming Jr. will officiate. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home, Inc., 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wilkes-Barre.
Tepo, Kevin
Aug. 13, 2000
Kevin Tepo, eight months, of Charles Street, Wilkes-Barre, died Sunday at Warren Hospital, Hackettstown, N.J., as a result of an automobile accident. Born Jan. 3, 2000, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of Marcos Tepo and Yesenia Mejia.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his maternal grandparents, Meliton and Sarah Mejia, and paternal grandparents, Candido and Esperanza Tepo, all of Mexico; aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today from the Leo P. Lehman Funeral Home, 689 Hazle Ave., Wilkes-Barre. Monsignor Michael Delaney will officiate. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until time of service today.
Johns, Albert
Aug. 16, 2000
Albert D. "Big Al" Johns, 68, of Avon Road, Bethlehem, died Wednesday at his home.Born April 17, 1932, in Plymouth, he was a son of Harriet W. (Bevans) Johns, Plymouth, and the late Robert Johns. He owned and operated the Al Johns & Son Sanitation Service, Bethlehem, was on the Bethlehem Police Department, a route salesman for Abbotts Dairy and crane operator for Bethlehem Steel.
Stolarick, George
Aug. 21, 2000
George M. Stolarick, 59, of RR 4, Dallas, died Monday at the Hospice Care of the VNA of the Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Feb. 4, 1941, in Dallas, he was a son of the late John and Mary (Galetti) Stolarick. He was a 1958 graduate of Lake-Lehman High School, attended Penn State University, was an administrative assistant at Lake Lehman School District and a notary public. He was a member of Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas, life member and president of the National Association of Educators.
Surviving are his companion, Eleanor Hontz, Dallas; brother, John, Wyoming; two nephews, one niece and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday from the Frank A. Gubbiotti Funeral Home, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas, with Father Jack Lambert officiating. Interment will be in Italian Independent Cemetery, West Wyoming. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today.
Ciardi, Jennie
Aug. 22, 2000
Jennie I. Ciardi, of B'nai B'rith Apartments, Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre, formerly of Manchester, N.Y., died Tuesday at Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Philomena (Rossi) Finarelli. She was a graduate of GAR High School and member of St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas; and brothers, Nicholas, Alfred, Camille and Albert Finarelli; and sister, Helen Triolo.
Surviving are her daughter, Rose Dimon, East Rochester, N.Y.; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, nieces and nephews.
Private services will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Walter W. Lisman and Son Funeral Home, 233 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the VNA.
Fierman, Lena
Aug. 23, 2000
Lena H. (Hertz) Fierman, 97, of Wilkes-Barre, died Wednesday at the Riverstreet Manor, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Luzerne, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Hannah (Goldstein) Hertz. She was a 1920 graduate of Wilkes-Barre High School and member of Ohav Zedek Synagogue, its sisterhood, Queen Esther Ladies Aid Society, Talmud Torah, Hadassah and other religious and civic organizations.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis; and daughter, Hannah.
Surviving are her son, Sydney, Malvern; daughter, Paula Newirth, Kingston; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.
Graveside funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Ohav Zedek Cemetery, Hanover Township. Rabbi Meir Rosenberg will officiate. Arrangements are by the Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, 348 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Shiva will be observed at the Newirth Home, 630 Westmoreland Ave., Kingston, 7 to 9 p.m. today and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Memorial donations may be made to the Louis Fierman Scholarship Fund at United Hebrew Institute; or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Horowitz, Julius
Aug. 23, 2000
Julius Horowitz, 81, of Wyoming Avenue, Kingston, died Wednesday at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Township.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, 348 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre.
Maciun, Agnes
Aug. 23, 2000
Agnes "Babe" Maciun, of South Main Street, Ashley, died Wednesday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born Jan. 13, 1923, in Ashley, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Theresa (Guba) Pollock. She was a 1941 graduate of Ashley High School and owner and operator of Pollock Cafe, with her husband, Al. She was a member of the Holy Rosary Church, Ashley, Hanover Township, and its Altar and Rosary Society and St. Vincent De Paul Society.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Marie A. Cleary, Margaret Gatusky and Barbara Hahn.
Surviving are her husband of 54 years, Algard; son, Thomas, Ashley; daughters, Margaret Perkins, Shavertown section of Kingston Township; and Marianne Zoranski, Ashley; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Friday from the George A. Strish, Inc., Funeral Home, 105 N. Main St., Ashley, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today. There will be a Christian wake service at 2 p.m. today at the funeral home. Members of the Altar and Rosary Society and members of St. Vincent De Paul Society are to meet at the funeral home for the Christian Wake Service and to meet in a body at 9 a.m. Friday at Holy Rosary Church to form an honor guard.
Neuman, Frieda
Aug. 22, 2000
Frieda Neuman, of Edison Street, Wilkes-Barre, formerly of New Jersey, died Tuesday at Summit Health Care Center after a short stay.
Born Sept. 27, 1921, in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Samuel and Theresa (Carpenito) Cecere. She was a 1939 graduate of GAR Memorial High School, did secretarial work at The Mennen Co., Morristown, N.J., and The Hartford Insurance Claim Office, Wilkes-Barre, where she was a field claim office supervisor. She was a member of Holy Rosary Church, Wilkes-Barre, where she was a member, president and secretary of its Sacred Heart and Rosary Society, and an officer on the executive board of the Scranton Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cyril.
Surviving are her sisters, Mary Rallo, Wilkes-Barre; and Elizabeth Desiderio; and several nephews and one niece.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Friday from the James M. Desiderio, Jr., Funeral Home, 2 Academy Road, Marion Terrace, Hanover Township, with a funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church. Entombment will be in St. Mary's Chapel Mausoleum, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. today. Members of the Sacred Heart and Rosary Society will recite the Rosary at 3 p.m. today. Memorial donations may be made to The Passionist Nuns, Monastery/Retreat House, 631 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, 18411; or to a charity of one's choice.
Rau, Mildred
Aug. 23, 2000
Mildred J. Rau, 85, of Brown Street, Wilkes-Barre, died Wednesday at her home.
Born Dec. 24, 1914, in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Julia (Millman) Simmons. She was a seamstress for Stanley Manufacturing, worked for Penn Tobacco and was a member of the Parrish Street United Methodist Church and the Legion Ladies of Irem Temple.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; and brother, Earl Simmons.
Surviving are her daughter, Jane Hirel, Wilkes-Barre; one granddaughter and two nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday from the Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home, Inc., 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. Father Jerry Doublisky will officiate. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Rifenbery, William
Aug. 23, 2000
William G. Rifenbery, of Beaumont, died Wednesday at his home.
Born Jan. 17, 1918, in Luzerne, he was a son of the late John and Ruth (Barber) Rifenbery. He worked for the Kingston Provision Meat Packing Co., Hazel Meat Packing Co., and Procter and Gamble Plant, Mehoopany, and was a bus driver for the Tunkhannock Area School District. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, member and deacon of the Beaumont Union Gospel Church, where he was a superintendent of the Sunday school. He was also president of the Child Evangelist Fellowship of Wyoming County and caretaker of the Beaumont Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Frederick A.; and sister, Margaret Ann Clark.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Clara (Smith) Rifenbery; son, Robert W., Beaumont; daughters, Ruth Lewis, Sarasota, Fla.; and Wilma Hopfer, Noxen; 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, one godson; and brother, Robert M. "Merton," Beaumont.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday from the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, with Pastor Dominick Petillo and Jerry Mattocks officiating. Interment will be in Fern Knoll Cemetery, Dallas. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Beaumont Union Gospel Church, RR 2, Box 440, Harveys Lake, 18618.
Ryan, Janie
Aug. 23, 2000
Janie B. Ryan, 78, of Boland Avenue, Hanover Township, formerly of Thornhurst and Hanover Township, died Wednesday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, shortly after admission.
Born in Durham, N.C., she was a daughter of the late William and Athelyn (Dunn) Robbins. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Church, Bear Creek.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; son, Michael; and several brothers and sisters.
Surviving are her daughters, Patricia, Seattle; and Mary Wallace, with whom she resided; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; brothers, Harry Robbins, Waynesville, N.C.; John Robbins, Santa Maria, Calif.; Albert Robbins, West New York, N.J.; Phillip Robbins, Chesapeake, Va; and Ben Robbins, Seattle; sisters, Mae Miller, Walnut Creek, Calif.; and Liza Carson, Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Saturday from the Walter W. Lisman and Son Funeral Home, 233 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth's Church. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Crestline, Ohio. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Memorial donations may be made to St. Elizabeth's Building Fund, c/o the church.
Tomchak, Mary Ann
Aug. 23, 2000
Mary Ann (Yanek) Tomchak, 92, of Center Avenue, Plymouth, died Wednesday at the Mercy Center, Dallas.
Born June 24, 1908, in Plymouth, she was a daughter of the late Stephen and Juliana (Kuharik) Yanek. She attended Plymouth Borough schools and worked for Lazarus Department Store, Wilkes-Barre. She was a member of St. Stephen's-St. Mary's Church Community and St. Vincent De Paul Church, both of Plymouth, Confraternity of Christian Mothers and Ladies Club of St. Stephen's Parish and special minister of communion and a Christian Service Center volunteer at St. Vincent's Parish. She was also a member of the Silver and Gold Club of St. Vincent's Church and Girl Scout of America Leader in Plymouth.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter J.; brothers and sisters; and great-granddaughter, Miranda Tomchak.
Surviving are her daughter, Ann Marie Smith, Plymouth; sons, Robert, Wilkes-Barre; and Leonard, Larksville; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 7 p.m. this evening at St. Vincent De Paul Church, Church Street, Plymouth. Interment will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery, Lehman. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. until funeral time today at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Christian Service Center, c/o St. Vincent's Church, Plymouth; or to the Mercy Center, Lake Street, Dallas. Arrangements are by the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 W. Main St., Plymouth.
