Obituaries by LocationSobocinski, Sophie
Jan. 5, 2001
Sophie Sobocinski, of Rose Avenue, Plains Township, died Friday at home.
Born in Plains Township, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin and Bertha (Zegarski) Sobocinski. She attended schools in the Plains Township School District. She worked at Midvale Paper Box Co., Plains Township, and in the garment industry. She was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Church, Plains Township, and the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.
She was preceded in death
by her sisters, Gail Sikorski; and brothers, Francis, Albert, Daniel and Thomas.
Surviving are her sister, Rita Sobocinski, Plains Township; brother, Joseph, Williamsport; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday from the Yeosock Funeral Home, 40 S. Main St., Plains Township, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at SS. Peter & Paul Church. Interment will be in SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Plains Township. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to may be made to SS. Peter & Paul Church, Hudson Road, Plains Township, 18705.
Wiechert, Richard
Jan. 4, 2001
Richard E. Wiechert, 85, of the East End section of Wilkes-Barre, died Thursday at Hospice Care of the Visiting Nurses Association at Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Wilkes-Barre Township, he was a son of the late Frank and Elizabeth (Stritzinger) Wiechert. He attended township schools. He worked in the coal mining industry and worked at Neyhard Painting Co., Wilkes-Barre, and for the Okonite Wire Co., New Brunswick, N.J. He was a member of the East End Primitive Methodist Church, Wilkes-Barre, an usher, member of its maintenance committee and a Sunday school teacher. He was a former baseball coach of the East End Little League and Teeners' League.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Anna Mae Hyder; and brothers, Wilbur, Henry, Frank, Bob and Norman.
Surviving are his wife of 54 years, the former Louise Jones; daughters, Louise McCabe, Kingston; Sheila Sales, Barkhamsted, Conn.; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; sister, Elizabeth Wiechert, Wilkes-Barre; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday from the H. Merritt Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 451 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. Marty Garms officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Shrine Cemetery, Carverton section of Franklin Township. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the East End Primitive Methodist Church, Wilkes-Barre.
Chesna, Robert
January 6, 2001
Robert S. Chesna, of Steve Street, Hanover Green, died Saturday morning at Hospice Care of the VNA at Heritage House.
He was born in Wilkes-Barre and resided in Hanover Township all of his life. He attended Hanover Township Memorial High School and St. Louis University. He owned and operated Chesna's Service Station for the past 30 years. He served as a former Democratic chairman of the Hanover Township and District Magistrate.
He was a member of the Hanover Township Firemen's Association, Hose Co. 1. He was a member of Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church in Buttonwood, where he served as an usher. He was the son of the late Anna Karl Chesna and William J. Chesna.
He was a loving husband to his wife of 37 years, the former Patricia Pirtko, and a devoted father to his daughters, Tracy Chesna, North Carolina; Lynn Harnen, Nashville, Tenn.; Mollie Dougherty, Elberon, N.J.; son, Robert, at home; grandson, Lucas; sons-in-law, James Harnen, Jerry Dougherty and William McCloud; brothers, Alex, Hanover Township; William, Mountaintop; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday from the James M. Desiderio Funeral Home, Inc., 2 Academy Road, Marion Terrace, Hanover Township, with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, Main Road, Buttonwood. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care Unit of the VNA Heritage House, Fox Chase Cancer Resource Center or the American Cancer Society.
Creekmore, Frances
January 2, 2001
Frances J. Creekmore, of Neptune, N.J., died Tuesday at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, N.J.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was a resident of New Jersey since 1966. She was a member of United Fellowship Baptist Church, Asbury Park, N.J., its First Aid, Floral Club, Tape Ministry and Food Ministry.
She was one of the founders and associate matron of the Lady Samaria Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and a chaplain in the Buena Vista Club.
Surviving are her husband of 41 years, Joseph Creekmore Sr.; daughters, Amanda Creekmore, Laurel, Md.; La Tanya Creekmore, Neptune; son, Joseph Creekmore Jr., Wilkes-Barre; brother, William Johnson, Harrisburg; sisters, Urcella (Johnson) Wright, Edwardsville; Lula (Johnson) Henson, Wilkes-Barre; Alberta (Johnson) Yates, Hempstead, N.Y.; three grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at United Fellowship Baptist Church, 603 Third Ave., Asbury Park, N.J. Interment will be in Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, N.J. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of services Tuesday. Arrangements are by the James H. died Saturday at his home.Born Dec. 13, 1942, in Duryea, he was the son of the late Alfred and Myrtle Dawes Frey. He was educated in the Moosic schools.
Fairchild, Florence
January 6, 2001
Florence L. Fairchild, 91, of Jamesburg, N.J., and formerly of Robert Street, in the Sheatown section of Newport Township, died Saturday at Medical Center at Princeton, New Jersey, where she was a patient for five days.
Born Oct. 22, 1909, in Nanticoke, she was the daughter of the late William and Sara Ann (Bath) Coombs. She attended Nanticoke public schools.
She was employed by the former death by her husband of 66 years, T. Gerald "Ponnie" Fairchild; infant daughter, Joan Coombs Fairchild; son, Thomas G. Fairchild; brothers, William, James, George, Arthur, Caleb and Frederick "Ted" Coombs; sisters, Phoebe Read and Martha Hostler; and two grandsons.
Surviving are her daughter, Jean Martin, with whom she resided; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday from Davis-Dinelli Funeral Home, 170 E. Broad St., Nanticoke, with the Rev. Barbara Saxe, her pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Nanticoke Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial donations may be made to Newport United Methodist Church, c/o Andrea McDonald, PO Box 85, Ashley, 18706.
Stark, Delia
January 6, 2001
Delia Stark, 79, of Wilkes-Barre, died Saturday at Valley Crest Nursing Home, Plains Township, where she was a guest.
Funeral arrangements are pending from McLaughlin Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre.
Grant, John
January 5, 2001
John B. "Bud" Grant, 79, of Dallas, died Friday at Hospice Community Care, Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late John B. and Catherine Schwartz Grant. He attended the Wilkes-Barre schools and was a graduate of Kingston High School.
Before retiring he was self-employed as a sales representative for Mac Tools. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict.
He was a member of Prince of Peace Church, Dallas; George M. Dallas Lodge 531 F.& A.M.; Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg; Irem Temple and its directors staff, Wilkes-Barre; and a life member of the NRA.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert; and sister, Catherine Grant.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years, the former Gloria Nelson; sons, Ronald B., Watsontown; John N., Jersey Shore; daughters, Gloria Zimmerman, Lake Ariel; Susan Shepherd, Dallas; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Prince of Peace Church, 420 Main St., Dallas, with the Rev. Robert A. Nagy officiating. Interment will be in Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Richard H. Disque Funeral Home Inc., 672 Memorial Highway, Dallas. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's research or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Kivler, Mary Ann
January 6, 2001
Mary Ann Kivler, of Hanover Township, died Saturday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Walter W. Lisman and Son Funeral Home, 233 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre.
Koons, Helen
January 3, 2001
Helen (Kunca) Koons, 90, of Summit Health Care, Wilkes-Barre, died Wednesday at Summit Health Care.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Constantine Rasimus. She was the owner and operator of Ray's Cafe, Wilkes-Barre.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond J. Koons; and son, Joseph Koons.
Surviving are grandchildren, David and Drew Koons and Diana Jo Trevethan.
Committal service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Maple Hill Chapel, Hanover Township. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are by Yeosock Funeral Home, Plains Township.
Kosmach, Christine
January 5, 2001
Christine Kosmach, 77, a resident of the Irishtown section of Hudson, Plains Township, died Friday in Dorrance Manor, Kingston, following a lengthy illness.
Born in Phillipsburg, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Edward and Stella Harding Yale. She attended the Phillipsburg schools.
She worked for the Plains Blouse Co., Plains Township, and was also a private seamstress for many years. Before retiring, she was a machine operator at Faith Shoe Co., Wilkes-Barre, for more than 16 years.
She resided in the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre and the Irishtown section of Hudson for most of her life. She was employed by LANI Post #6325, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Hudson, and was a member of its auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Kosmach; brothers, Henry, George and Edward Yale Jr.; sisters, Dorothy Howell, Mary Filipowich, Beatrice Gross and Flora Yale.
Surviving are her daughter, Beatrice Thomas, at home; step sons, Andrew Kosmach Jr. and Robert Kosmach, both of Plains Township; Joseph Kosmach, Mountaintop; sister, Eleanor Rossi, Phillipsburg; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Private funeral services will be Tuesday at the convenience of the family from the H. Merritt Hughes Funeral Home, Inc., 451 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. Thomas A. Flint, of Greater Nanticoke United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wyoming Valley Unit, American Cancer Society.
Miller, Michael
January 6, 2001
Michael G. Miller, 84, of Courtright Avenue, North End section of Wilkes-Barre, died Saturday at the Inpatient Unit of the Hospice Care of the VNA, Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late John and Anna Vdovec Miller. He was educated in the Wilkes-Barre city schools and was a member of St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, 663 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre.
Before retiring, he was employed by Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, the Faith Shoe Co. and Kanaar Corp., all of Wilkes-Barre. He was formerly employed by the Lehigh Valley Coal Co., Dorrance Colliery.
He was a P.I.A.A. official in baseball, football and basketball and was in charge of the Wilkes-Barre Area Recreation Softball Association for 40 years. He was also a recipient of a P.I.A.A. certificate for 25 years of service in football.
He was a member of the Rolling Mill Hill Bowling Association and the St. Nicholas Senior Citizens Club. He and his wife, the former Mildred Horensky, celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on June 7, 2000.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Andrew, John, Frank and Joseph; and sister, Anna.
Surviving, in addition to his wife at home, are a son, Ronald M., Mountaintop; daughter, Debbie Miller, Dallas; sisters, Emily Shevchuk, and twin, Mary Malocheski, both of Wilkes-Barre; Helen Blume, Lafayette, Ind.; five grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday from the John V. Morris Funeral Home, 625 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with services at 10 a.m. in St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Scott Kruse, vacancy pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Fern Knoll Burial Park, Dallas. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. A prayer service will be at 8 p.m., with the Rev. Paul Visoky, Pastor Emeritus, of St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, officiating. Memorial donations may be made to St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Nardone, Thomas
January 5, 2001
Thomas J. Nardone, 79, of South Grant Street, Wilkes-Barre, died Friday at his home.
Born March 4, 1921, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Alfonso and Anna Colarusso Nardone. He was a graduate of GAR High School, Wilkes-Barre.
He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from 1942 to 1946. Before retiring in 1989, he was employed by Nelson and Sons, Kingston, for many years.
He was a member of Holy Rosary Parish, 363 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre; the Teamsters Union; and the Knights of Columbus Council 302, Wilkes-Barre.
He was preceded in death by his son, Robert; brothers, Alfonso and Anthony; and sister, Clementine.
Surviving are his wife, the former Mary Thompson; daughters, Maryann Nardone, Harrisburg; Jacquelyn Cunningham, Exeter; Joan Clarke, Wilkes-Barre; sons, Thomas John Nardone, Alexandria, Va.; Donald Nardone, Williamsport; brothers, Joseph, Peter and Angelo Nardone, all of Wilkes-Barre; sisters, Mary Cramer and Marie Olympia Mahon, both of Wilkes-Barre; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Monday from McLaughlin Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today.Sun In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Holy Rosary Church Air Conditioning Fund.
Obitz, Raymond
January 5, 2001
Raymond J. Obitz, 50, of West Kirmar Avenue, Alden section of Newport Township, died Friday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born July 3, 1950, in Trenton, N.J., he was a son of James R. and Mildred A. (Balavage) Obitz. He attended Nanticoke Area High School. He was self-employed as a drywall hanger throughout the area. He was a member of the Italian American Sporting Club, Glen Lyon section of Newport Township.
He was preceded in death by his infant sister, Carolynn Obitz.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his companion, Barbara A. Piestrak, with whom he resided; daughters, Malinda Obitz, Hanover Township; Brenda Gwyn and Renee Wickkiser, both of Sugar Notch, and Kelly, Kimberly and Pamela Obitz, all of Wilkes-Barre; nine grandchildren; sisters, Mildred Cleary, Wilkes-Barre; Patricia Schell, Edwardsville; and Rosemarie Feddock, Larksville; brothers, Frank, Bear Creek; James and Douglas, Alden; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral serviceswill be at 9 a.m. Monday from the George A. Strish Funeral Home Inc., 211 W. Main St., Glen Lyon. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today.Sun Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Schomas, Libby
January 5, 2001
Libby Schomas, 17-month-old daughter of Blake and Mona Turner Schomas, of Laurel Lakes, Rice Township, died Friday at her home.
Born Aug. 5, 1999, in Kingston, she was christened at St. Jude's R.C. Church, Mountaintop.
Surviving, in addition to her parents, are her sister, K.C., at home; paternal grandparents, Les and Carol Schomas, Wheaton, Ill.; maternal grandparents, Greg and Pattie Turner Smith, North Stonington, Conn.; Jack and Becky Turner, Mokane, Mo.
A Mass of the Angels will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Jude's R.C. Church, South Mountain Boulevard and Church Road, Wright Township, with the Rev. Paul M. Mullen officiating. Private interment will be in Albert Cemetery, Wright Township. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Tuesday at the church. Memorial donations may be made to the Libby Schomas Fund, c/o Capt. Anthony Smith, Pennsylvania National Guard Armory, 280 Market St., Kingston. Arrangements are by McCune Funeral Home, Mountaintop.
