Obituaries by LocationPurosky, Charles
June 6, 2000
Charles J. Purosky Sr., of Old Forge and Falls, died Tuesday at the Hospice Unit of the Mid Valley Hospital, Peckville.
Born Sept. 22, 1914, in Scranton, he was a son of the late Jonas and Mary (Dubravolskas) Purauskas. He was a graduate of the former Scranton Central High School and took courses in Radio and Communications, with schools in New York. He was the former owner of Purosky and Tuckerman Communications, Dickson City, whose company was formerly in Scranton. He was a member of St. Lawrence O'Toole Roman Catholic Church, Main Street, Old Forge.
Surviving are his second wife of four years, the former Kitty Ace; sons, William, Haslett; Mich.; Charles, Jr., Bloomsburg; stepsons, Wayne Jenkins, Westchester; and Brian Jenkins, Koeningstein, Germany; daughters, Marianne Dolgash, Yelm, Wash.; Eleanor Mitchell, Vero Beach, Fla.; and Margaret Griffin, Bloomsburg; stepdaughters, Margaret Durkin, Scranton; and Susan Pomeranz, Boca Raton, Fla.; 14 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; half brother, William Potts, Indianapolis; one cousin, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death
by his first wife, the former Regina Janosky; his daughter, Jeanne Specht; brother, John; and sister, Julia Sabitus; and half brothers, George Potts and Daniel Pottsevich.
The funeral will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday from the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, 517 N. Main St., Old Forge, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Lawrence O'Toole Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. Dr. Michael J. Kirwin will officiate. Interment will be in St. Casimir's Cemetery, Pittston. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Memorial donations may be made to Charles J. Purosky Sr. Hospice Fund, c/o Old Forge Bank Customer Service Department, 216 S. Main St., Old Forge, 18518.
Sheposh, Gladys
June 5, 2000
Gladys A. Sheposh, 68, of Jefferson Township, died Monday at her home.
Born in Mayfield, she was a daughter of the late William V. and Mildred (Zedlewski) Laskowski. She was a graduate of Mayfield High School and was a certified nurses assistant at the St. Mary's Villa. She was a member of St. Eulalia's Church, Elmhurst.
Surviving are her sons, Richard J. and Andrew F., both of Jefferson Township; sisters, Jean Krenitsky, Jermyn; Leona Warren, Pittsburgh; Julie Rinaldi, Carbondale; and Evelyn Wallace, Blakely; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard J.; sisters, Helen McDonald; Theresa Dagnello and Stella Norris; and brothers, John and Chester Laski and Walter Laskowski.
The funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday from the Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Home, Corner of Route 690 and First Street, Springbrook Township, with Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Eulalia's Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Uczen, Eleanor
June 6, 2000
Eleanor Uczen, of East Noble Street, Nanticoke, died Tuesday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Sept. 6, 1912, in Nanticoke, she was a daughter of the late Alexander and Mary (Perry) Frankiewicz. She was a member of St. Stanislaus Church, Nanticoke, Womens Catholic Council, Catholic Daughters Infant Jesus of Prague Court 1326, Post 350 American Legion Auxiliary, Nanticoke, and the Nanticoke Democratic Womens Club.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Sauers; second husband, Adolph Uczen; son, Joseph Sauers; and several brothers and sisters.
Surviving are her daughter, Carol Stobodzian, four grandchildren, four great-grandsons; brother, Leonard Frankiewicz, Deltona, Fla.; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Friday from the Earl W. Lohman Funeral Home, 14 W. Green St., Nanticoke, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis Church, Nanticoke. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The Womens Catholic Council will conduct services at 2 p.m. Thursday, The American Legion Auxiliary will conduct services at 7 p.m. Thursday and The Catholic Daughters will conduct services at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
Wegielewski, Mary
June 5, 2000
Mary Wegielewski, 92, of Scranton, formerly of Farber Court, Scranton, died Monday at the Allied Services Skilled Nursing Facility, Scranton.
Born in Krakow, Poland, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Rose (Wesoloski) Mazur. She was a member of the Dunmore Open Bible Church, Scranton.
Surviving are her daughters, Dolores Luongo and Irene Coyle, both of Scranton; Violet Ciambrone and Rosemary Bragg, both of Carbondale; sons, Joseph, Pittston; and James, Albany, N.Y.; 19 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanislaw; daughter, Martha Merrick; and son, Stanley.
The funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the Miller Bean Funeral Home, 436 Cedar Ave., Scranton, with services by the Rev. Richard A. Snyder. Interment will be in Dunmore Cemetery, Dunmore. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Wehr, Berlyn
June 6, 2000
Berlyn O. Wehr, 74, of Greenwood Street, Tamaqua, died Tuesday at the Gnaden Huetten Nursing Home, Lehighton, Carbon County.
Born July 30, 1925, in New Mahoning, Lehighton, he was the son of the late Oliver E. and Katie E. (Hunsicker) Wehr. He was a shovel operator and truck driver for Bethlehem Mines, Panther Valley, and farmed at his family farm in Mahoning Township. He was a charter member of the Mahoning Valley Fire Co. and member of the United Mine Workers.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Phyllis J. (Reinhart) Wehr; son, Glenn B., Lehighton; daughters, Kathy A., Hazleton; and Cindy Hartung, Tamaqua; and sister, Margaret Troxell, RD 2, New Ringgold; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Pauline Miller.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Inc., RD 2, New Ringgold, with the Rev. Paul M. Eberts officiating. Interment will be in St. Peter's United Church of Christ Cemetery, RD 3, Tamaqua. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association.
Borman, Elsie
June 7, 2000
Elsie F. Borman, 95, formerly of Oplinger Towers, Nanticoke, died Wednesday at the Mercy Health Care Center, Sheatown section of Newport Township.
Born in Hanover Township, she was the daughter of the late Christopher and Maria (Rogall) Poslock. She worked at T.P. Jones Furniture and Peoples Clothing Store. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Nanticoke; its Ladies Aide Society, president of The Cradle Roll; and member of Nanticoke Womens Republican Club.
He was preceded in death by her husband, Fredrick.
Surviving are her daughters, Muriel, Narberth; Charlotte Koepke and Ruth Walsh, both of Nanticoke; and Marilyn Linkiewicz, Blue Bell; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday from the Earl W. Lohman Funeral Home, 14 W. Green St., Nanticoke. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Budzeika, Celia
June 5, 2000
Celia Budzeika, of Franklin Street, Edwardsville, died Monday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Larksville, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Hedwig (Albouicz) Budzeika. She worked at the Tobyhanna Signal Depot.
Surviving are her daughter, Fran Day, Exeter; brother, Vincent, Detroit; and sister, Helen Berdy, Anderson, S.C.
Private Funeral Services will be held from the Andrew Strish Funeral Home, 11 Wilson St., Larksville, at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours.
Coopey, Louis
December 4, 1999
Louis H. Coopey Sr., of Mesa, Ariz., formerly of the Sheatown section of Newport Township, died Dec. 4, 1999, in Mesa.
Born Jan. 30, 1914, in Alden, he was a son of the late Lewis and Henrietta (Semmer) Coopey. He was an insurance agent for John Hancock Insurance Co. and a disabled U.S. Army veteran of World War II, who served as a quartermaster with the 83rd Infantry Division. He was a member of the Nanticoke Lodge 541 F & AM, Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, Bethel Congregational Church and American Legion Post 350, both of Nanticoke, high priest of Nanticoke Chapter, commander of Dieu le Veut Commandry 45, Wilkes-Barre, thrice illustrious master of Horeb Council 34 and Kych-Knight of York Cross of Honor of Penn Priory 6.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Rose Ur; brothers, Walter and Kenneth; and sister, Phyllis Swan.
Surviving are his sons, Louis and Glenn, both of Mesa, Ariz.; daughter, Barbara Amato, Union, N.J.; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and brother, George, Albuquerque, N.M.
Officers and members of Nanticoke Lodge 541 F & AM will conduct Masonic services at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Earl W. Lohman Funeral Home, 14 W. Green St., Nanticoke, with a Memorial Service following. The Rev. Tim Hall will officiate. Interment will be in Dorrance Cemetery. Members of American Legion Post 350 will conduct military services at the graveside.
Davies, Arthur
June 6, 2000
Arthur M. Davies, 78, of Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre, died Tuesday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born Aug. 26, 1921, in Asbury Park, N.J., he was the son of the late Arthur L. and Nellie (Humpleby) Davies. He was a 1938 graduate of Meyers High School and Bucknell Junior College, attended Penn State, Temple and Rutgers universities and earned a masters equivalent in education. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in Europe. He worked for Nicholson Machine, locally, and Vulcan Iron Works, taught at the Wyoming Valley Technical Institute and Bucks County Technical School. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Gertrude Jones; sister, Audrey Batey.
Surviving are his daughters, Lynn Barnett, Springfield; Susan Davies, Philadelphia; two grandchildren; sisters, Marion Keller, Moorestown, N.J.; Nancy Billet, Falls Church, Va.; and Joan Michael, Wilkes-Barre.
The funeral will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Williams Funeral Home, 114 W. Main St., Plymouth, with the Rev. Penelope Rahm officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Friends may call from 2 p.m. until time of service Sunday. Memorial donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; or the American Cancer Society.
Davis, Margaret
June 6, 2000
Margaret C. Davis, 85, of Center Avenue, Plymouth, formerly of East Shawnee Avenue, Plymouth, and Scranton, died Tuesday at the Mid Valley Hospital, Peckville.
Born in Plymouth, she was a daughter of the late Maurice and Mary Jane (Owens) Davis. She attended Plymouth High School and worked at Scranton Lace Co., Pioneer Dress Co., and was a payroll administrator at Seltex Industries. She was a member of First Welsh Baptist Church, Plymouth, where she was a Sunday school superintendent, member of the Missionary Society and Shawnee Senior Citizens.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Eleanor O.
Surviving are her cousin and Laura Reese Teal, Plymouth, with whom she resided.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today from the William A. Reese Funeral Chapel, rear 56 Gaylord Ave., Plymouth, with the Rev. Anita J. Ambrose officiating. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service today. Memorial donations may be made to the Riverside Adult Day Care Center, Plains Township; or to the First Welsh Baptist Church.
DePolo, Carol
June 7, 2000
Carol DePolo, of Plains Township, died Wednesday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Funeral services are pending from the Simon S. Russin Funeral Home, Inc., 136 Maffett St., Plains Township.
Evans, Cyrill
June 7, 2000
Cyrill M. Evans, of East Merritt Street, Plains Township, died Wednesday at home.
Born in Plains Township, he was a son of the late John and Mary (Capinas) Evans. He worked at Craft Associates, Keystone Automotive and Sunshine Market and served with the U.S. Navy. He was a member of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, Wilkes-Barre; The Rosary Makers and was a caretaker at St. Mary's Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Beverly Asbury; sisters, Mary Shovlin and Christine Wincek; and brothers, Bernard and William Evans.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, the former Dolores Jennings; daughters, Dolores McGeehan and Catherine Krugel, both of Plains Township; Cynthia Fernandez, Los Angeles; sons, Cyrill, Jr., Bear Creek; and Christopher Evans, Plains Township; 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Saturday from the Yeosock Funeral Home, 40 S. Main St., Plains Township, with Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Plains Township. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Parastas services will be at 8 p.m. Friday, with Father James Demko officiating.
Lewis, Helen
June 4, 2000
Helen J. Lewis, 84, of Phoenix, died Sunday at her home.
She was born in Berwick and she was an office manager.
Surviving are her brothers, Tom B. Girvan, Oregon; and Joseph P. Girvan.
Funeral services were held at the Camelback Sunset Chapel, Phoenix.
Payne, Earl
June 5, 2000
Earl E. Payne, of Shinglehouse, formerly of Blairsville and Sweet Valley, died Monday at the Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport.
Born Feb. 17, 1913, in Detroit, he was a son of the late Herbert and Adeline (Grover) Payne. He and his late wife, the former Clara L. LaBarr, owned the Foot Hills Coffee Shop in Sweet Valley, and he was vice president of operations at Telephone Utilities of Pennsylvania. He was a life member of George M. Dallas Lodge and F & AM, Dallas.
Surviving are his son, Richard E. Payne, Shinglehouse; daughter, Susan P. Smith, Pittsburgh; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; brother, Robert E., Export; sisters, Iris LaBarr, Shavertown, Kingston Township; and Mildred Delaney, Clearwater, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Clarence and Harold; and sister, Mary Alice Whitesell.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday from the Richard L. Shoemaker Funeral Home, 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Clair Cemetery, Greensburg. Funeral services were held at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 879 Hospital Road, Indiana, 15701-3971; the VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1265 Wayne Ave., Indiana, 15701; or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Spencer, Mary
June 7, 2000
Mary E. (Fink) Spencer, 89, of Klinger Hill Road, Benton, died Wednesday at her home.
Born March 13, 1911, in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Emil and Catherine (Patton) Fink. She was a 1928 graduate of Frankford High School, Philadelphia, worked in the mayor's office of the city of Philadelphia and served under the direction of Mayors Tate, Dillworth and others. She was a member of Christ the King Church, Benton.
Surviving are her daughter, Shirley M. Brocious, with whom she resided; son, Roy N., Kill Devil Hills, S.C.; eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Blanche Akens, Bloomington, Del.; and brother, Emil Dentworth, New York City.
She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Roy N.; and infant brother.
A Graveside Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne, with the Rev. William Reseigh officiating. Burial will follow at the Cemetery. Funeral arrangements will be by the McMichael Funeral Home, 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton.
Sulfaro, Frances
June 7, 2000
Frances (Scimone) Sulfaro, 89, of Trucksville, died Wednesday at the Bonham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Stillwater RR 1, where she was a resident for the past two years.
Born May 1, 1911, in Sicily, Italy, she was a daughter of the late Antonio and Maria Scimone. She was a graduate of a high school in Sicily, Italy, and was a dressmaker for the L & M Dress Co., Brooklyn, N.Y. She was a member of Our Lady of Grace Church, Avenue W, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Surviving are her son, Anthony A., Lido, Calif.; daughter, Linda Gulotta, Trucksville; three grandchildren; brothers, John Scimone, Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Pepino Scimone, Sicily, Italy; and sisters, Assunta D'Arrigo, Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Nina Scimone, Sicily, Italy.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 21 years, Antonio; brothers, Nino and Dominick Scimone; and sister, Rosa Cutuli.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Grace Church, with the Rev. Dominick F. Cutrone officiating. Burial will be in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. Funeral arrangements will be by the McMichael Funeral Home, 4394 Red Rock Road, Benton.
Summa, Theodore
June 7, 2000
Theodore J. Summa Sr., of North Bridge Street, Tunkhannock, died Wednesday at Mercy Hospital, Scranton.
Born June 30, 1942, in Scranton, he was a son of Pearl (Rapp) Summa, of Scranton, and the late Frank Summa. He was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School and received a licensed practical nurse certificate from Lackawanna County Area Vocational-Technical School in 1982. He worked for Clarks Summit State Hospital and was involved in the family operation of Bagel Boyz, Tunkhannock. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the Church of The Nativity BVM, Tunkhannock, St. Mary's of the Lake Holy Name Society, Tunkhannock Moose Lodge and served as the chef for the soup kitchen in Tunkhannock.
He was preceded in death by his son, John Michael.
Surviving are his wife of 34 years, Barbara (Schmitt) Summa; sons, Theodore, J., Jr., and Timothy J., both of Tunkhannock; daughters, Lisa M. Woodruff, Lewistown; Melissa M., Dunmore; Jennifer S. Spencer, Thornhust; Kimberly L., Moosic; Denise M. and Mary E., both of Tunkhannock; one granddaughter; brothers, Frank J., Hop Bottom; Michael, Scranton; and Paul J., Olyphant; and sisters, Nancy K. Hann, Scranton; Paulette Mott, Mount Cobb.
Funeral services will be at 8:15 a.m. Friday from the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, Inc., 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at the Church of the Nativity, BVM. Interment will be in Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Austin, Eugene
June 7, 2000
Eugene "Geno'' Austin, 64, of North Sprague Avenue, Kingston, formerly of the West Side, died Wednesday at his home.
Born March 12, 1936, in Wyoming, he was a son of the late Anthony W. and Mary (Legas) Austin. He was a 1954 graduate of Kingston High School and worked at Luzerne County Human Resources. He served with the U.S. Navy, was a member of St. Ignatius Church, Kingston, where he was an altar server, and member of the Boy Scouts, obtaining the rank of eagle scout. In 1994, he received a lung transplant at the University of Emory, Georgia.
Surviving are his wife of 40 years, the former Catherine "Kay'' France; sons, Eugene, Swoyersville; and Thomas, Kingston; two grandsons, one stepgrandson; brothers, Anthony, Robert and Thomas, all of Sweet Valley; and Richard, Dallas; and sister, Dorothy Melovitz, Stockton, N.J.
The funeral will be held Saturday at a time to be announced from the Maher-Collins Funeral Home, 360 N. Maple Ave., Kingston, with a funeral Mass at St. Ignatius Church. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery, Courtdale. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, or to the American Diabetes Association, all of Wilkes-Barre.
Carey, Harry
June 6, 2000
Harry P. Carey, 81, of Trucksville, died Tuesday at Hospice Community Care Inpatient Unit at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.Born Sept. 18, 1918, in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Harry and Louise Carey. He attended local schools and was an electrical contractor. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
Morris, Kathryn
June 10, 2000
Kathryn Flynn Curry Morris, of Brown Street, Newtown section of Hanover Township, died Saturday in Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Leo P. Lehman Funeral Home, 689 Hazle Ave., Wilkes-Barre.
Balog, John
June 11, 2000
Rev. John Paul Balog, of Wilkes-Barre Township, died Sunday.
Born July 26, 1941, in Kingston, he was a son of Helen (Pershalski) Balog, Edwardsville, the late Andrew Balog. He attended St. Hedwig's Roman Catholic School and West Side Central Catholic School, both of Kingston, and Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. He also attended the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saint Cyril and Methodius, Pittsburgh, was ordained to the priesthood and celebrated his First Solemn Liturgy of Thanksgiving at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, Kingston. He was the pastor of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Wilkes-Barre Township. He was the managing editor of Diakonia, John XXIII Center, Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y. His other assignments included: St. Michael's Church, Glen Lyon, Newport Township, St. Mary's Church, Nanticoke, and administrator of St. Mary's Church, Nanticoke.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his brother, James Andrew.
Divine Liturgy will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, with the Most Rev. Andrew Pataki and the Most Rev. Michael J. Dudick officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Edwardsville. Part I of Burial of a Priest will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Part II of the Office of Burial of a Priest will be at 7 p.m. Thursday. Friends and family may call at the church from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Connolly, Anne
June 13, 2000
Anne J. Connolly, 87, of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of Pringle, died Tuesday at the Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home, 420 Wyoming Ave., Kingston.
Fawcett, John
June 13, 2000
John Fawcett Jr., 74, of South Welles Street, Wilkes-Barre, died Tuesday at his home.
Relatives or friends should contact Luzerne County Deputy Coroner Robert Bednarski at 823-2962 or the Luzerne County Coroner's Office at 825-1664.
