Obituaries by LocationKleppinger, Florence
Jan. 17, 2001
Florence A. Kleppinger, 79, of Hillcrest Drive, Macungie, Lehigh County, died Wednesday at her home.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late John and Jesse (Ralph) Allen. She was a 1940 graduate of Meyers High School. She was a bookkeeper/secretary for the Okanite Co. at its former Wilkes-Barre office. She was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church, Wescosville.
She was preceded in death
by her son, Gary B.
Surviving are her husband of 55 years, Ben; son, Brian S., Vera Cruz; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; sisters, Patricia Snyder, Hamilton, N.J.; and Catherine Plutar, Trenton, N.J.; and stepbrother, Thomas Williams, Elizabethtown.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Schmoyer Funeral Home, 8926 Brookdale Road, Breinigsville. Friends may call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Memorial donations may be made to the church, in care of the funeral home.
Munley, Gertrude
Jan. 17, 2001
Gertrude E. Munley, 89, of Cleveland Street, McAdoo, died Wednesday at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, Lehigh County.
Born in Hazleton, she was a daughter of the late Hugh and Mary Ferry. She worked for the former Wagner Electric Co., Weatherly. She was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, McAdoo.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James; brothers, Hugh, Charles, John, Paul and Joseph Ferry; and sisters, Grace Clark and Josephine Greir.
Surviving are her daughters, Catherine Bielen, with whom she resided; and Peggy Alex, Mount Lebanon; son, James, Mountaintop; 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret Sweeney, Easton; brother, James Ferry, Hazleton; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday from the Damiano Funeral Home, Blaine and Cleveland streets, McAdoo, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church. The Very Rev. Edward Zemanik will officiate. Burial will follow at the parish Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, when a Christian wake service will be held. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Turcan, Betty
Jan. 18, 2001
Betty (Schappert) Turcan, 73, of Wilkes-Barre died Thursday at home from cancer.
She was born in Wilkes-Barre. She was a graduate of St. Nicholas High School. She was a sales clerk at The Boston Store and Boscov's Department Store. She was a life member of St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Corey.
Surviving are her son, William, Exeter; daughters, Fran Lepo, Exeter; Joan Lepo, Swoyersville; Sandy Baiamonte, Warrior Run; and Sue Wielgopolski, Wilkes-Barre; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
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 9:30 a.m. at St. Nicholas Church. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Shavertown section of Kingston Township. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. this evening. Memorial donations may be made to Mercy Hospice, care of Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre; or to the American Cancer Society.
Wood, Edward
Jan. 16, 2001
Edward L. "Eddy" Wood, 68, of Kingston, formerly of the Heights section of Wilkes-Barre, died Tuesday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born Feb. 1, 1932, in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Charles and Ruth (Farrell) Wood. He attended St. Ann's Academy, was a graduate of St. Mary's High School, Wilkes-Barre, and earned a bachelor's degree from King's College in 1956. He was a personal insurance agent and sold plumbing equipment with R.J. Walker, Wilkes-Barre. He served eight years in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles and Robert; and sisters, Sister Helena (Mary Ruth) and Katherine Hubbs.
Surviving are his wife, the former Kathleen Smith; sons, Ned and Joe, both of Kingston; and Pat, Crystal Lake, Ill.; daughters, Kate Gardner, San Jose, Calif.; Liza Sproat, Admore; Molly Kanor, Forty Fort; and Anne Wood Trott, Austin, Texas; 12 grandchildren; brother, William F.L.; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. today from the McLaughlin Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Church Of The Immaculate Conception, Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Arzente, Rosemary
Jan. 18, 2001
Rosemary V. Arzente, 72, of Countrywood Drive, Hanover Township, and of Naples, Fla., died Thursday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born April 14, 1928, in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Silvio and Adeline V. (Finarelli) Perrella. She was a 1946 graduate of St. Ann's Academy and attended Marywood College. She worked at the First Valley Bank, Kingston. She was a member of St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre.
Surviving are her husband of 51 years, George C., Jr.; sons, George C., III, Melbourne, Fla.; and James, Brookline, Mass.; daughter, Maria Mattern, Wilkes-Barre; six grandchildren, one great-granddaughter; brothers, Nicholas Perrella, Flagler, Fla.; and Robert Perrella, Ormond, Fla.; and Gene Perrella, Plains Township; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Monday from the Nat & Gawlas Funeral Home, Park Avenue and South Street, Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Nicholas Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Bongiorno, Joseph
January 18, 2001
Joseph Bongiorno, 70, of Harveys Lake, died Thursday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born April 23, 1930, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Luigi and Anna Bongiorno. He attended the Brooklyn schools.
Before retiring he was employed for 20 years as a truck driver for the Friendly Frost Co., New York, and for 20 years as a school bus driver in New York. He was a U.S. Army and Navy veteran.
He was preceded in death by sisters, Jenny Dario and Anna Cincammino; brothers, Lenny, Stephen and Al Bongiorno.
Surviving are daughters, Ann Bocchiaro, Harveys Lake; Linda Thomas, Orangeville; companion, Betty Doyne, with whom he resided; sisters, Jean Esposito, Long Island, N.Y.; Katie Prostka, Florida; brother, William Bongiorno, New York; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday from the Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home, 140 N. Main St., Shavertown section of Kingston Township, with the Rev. Joseph Rafferty officiating. Interment will be in Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday.
Byank, William
Jan. 18, 2001
William Francis Byank, 79, Swoyersville, formerly of Dupont, died Thursday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, shortly after admission.
Born in Duryea, he was a son of the late John and Mary (Kubat) Byank. He was a graduate of Duryea High School. He worked for Durex in New Jersey, before retiring. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Aurelia; infant daughter, Frances Marie; brothers, John, Joseph and Walter; and sisters, Genevieve Cox and Josephine Abdinoor.
Surviving are his daughters, Cynthia Mahalick, Dallas; Cheryl Byank, Sicklerville, N.J.; and Dr. Victoria Teodurescu, Scarsdale, N.Y.; two grandchildren; sister; Marie Thorne, Duryea; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday from the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main St., Duryea, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, Duryea. The Rev. Charles Rokosz will officiate. Interment will be in Chapel Lawn, Dallas. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association.
Brazinskie, Aldona
Jan. 19, 2001
Aldona Brazinskie, formerly of Ash Street, Wilkes-Barre Township, died Friday at the East Mountain Manor Nursing Home, Plains Township.
Born June 22, 1902, in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Simon and Marcella (Tamaka) Peters. She was a 1923 graduate of Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre, and attended Penn State University. She was an activities director at Summit Nursing Home, Wilkes-Barre, for over 40 years. She taught arts and crafts and was a music and dance instructor for over 50 years with the YMCA, YWCA and the Wilkes-Barre Area Playground Associations. She was the original founder of the Senior Citizens in the Wilkes-Barre area.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; and brothers, Simon, Victor and Anasettas "Ted."
Surviving are her nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 N. Meade St., Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. William Frank officiating. Interment will be in Lithuanian Independent Cemetery, West Wyoming. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday and 9:30 to time of services Monday.
Beierle, Stanley
Jan. 19, 2001
Stanley E. Beierle, 74, of Holland Street, Wilkes-Barre, died Friday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born Feb. 7, 1926, in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Louis and Frances (Brown) Beierle. He attended St. Nicholas High School, Wilkes-Barre. He worked for Peerless Sportswear, prior to retiring in 1987, and at Wyoming Valley Garment, Wilkes-Barre. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater. He received the Purple Heart. He was a member of St. Boniface Church, Wilkes-Barre, its Holy Name Society, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9 and Chapter 102, American Legion Post 463, Plymouth, and the St. Nicholas Senior Citizens Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Mary F. Mayerhofer; and brother, Louis.
Surviving are his daughters, Marlene Avery, Wilkes-Barre; Donna Orzechowski, Wilkes-Barre; son, John, Hanover Township; seven grandchildren, two great-grandsons, and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday from the Nat & Gawlas Funeral Home, Park Avenue and South Street, Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Church. Entombment will be in St. Mary's Mausoleum, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Boniface Church, 225 Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre, 18702.
Chamberlain, Mary
Jan. 18, 2001
Mary (Golden) Chamberlain, 86, of Wilkes-Barre, died Thursday at Little Flower Manor, where she was a resident for the past 2 1/2 years.
Born Feb. 1, 1914, in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Helen (Panzak) Golden. She was a 1932 graduate of GAR Memorial High School, Wilkes-Barre. She was a clerk of elections for Luzerne County Bureau of Elections. She was a member of St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception, Wilkes-Barre, its Altar and Rosary Society and the Colony Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, John J.; sister, Elinorcq Rapchinski; and brother, Raymond Golden.
Surviving are her daughter, Maureen Chamberlain, Wilkes-Barre; son, John C., Mountaintop; two granddaughters, and several nieces.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday from the McLaughlin Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Church of the Immaculate Conception. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Memorial donations may be made to Little Flower Manor, Wilkes-Barre.
Churnetski, Anthony
Jan. 19, 2001
Anthony J. Churnetski, 88, of Hill Side Street, Sugar Notch, died Friday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born March 1, 1912, in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Frank and Veronica (Sikorsky) Churnetski. He was a 1930 graduate of Hanover Township High School. He was a coal miner for the Glen Alden Coal Co., working in the Sugar Notch Colliery No. 9, and was a letter carrier for the Postal Service in the Wilkes-Barre Branch for the past 35 years. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II, serving from 1942 to 1946. He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Local 115, Wilkes-Barre, United Mine Workers of America, District 25, American Legion Post 796 and Holy Family Church, both of Sugar Notch.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, John, Leo, Joseph, Frank and Zigmund; and sisters, Nellie Morgan and Alice Churnetski.
Surviving are his nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Monday 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 Family Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Mocanaqua. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Dobrowalski, Phyllis
Jan. 19, 2001
Phyllis Dobrowalski, 84, of Flat Road, Plymouth, died Friday at the Hospice Community Care Inpatient Unit of Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Oct. 9, 1916, in Plymouth, she was a daughter of the late Jacob and Mary (Sydlowski) Dobrowalski. She was a graduate of Plymouth High School and Bushwick Hospital, New York, where she received her degree in nursing. She was a registered nurse in New York for many years, the company nurse for the General Cigar Co. and worked for the Public Health Services, New York City and Nanticoke General Hospital. She was a member of St. Mary's-St. Stephen's Church Community, Plymouth.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, John, Joseph, Albert and Anthony; and sisters, Sophie Wychulis, Stella Saydock and Sallie Lawkins.
Surviving are her sister, Caroline Brozena, Plymouth; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday from the S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 W. Main St., Plymouth, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Mary's Nativity Church. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Community Care, Kingston; or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Embleton, Arnold
Jan. 19, 2001
Arnold Embleton, of the Inkerman section of Jenkins Township, died Friday at Hospice Care of the V.N.A., Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the H. Merritt Hughes Funeral Home, 211 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston.
Heidel, Howard
Jan. 15, 2001
Howard N. Heidel, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Luzerne, died Monday at the home of his son, Christopher, in Pittsburgh.
Born in Luzerne, he was a son of Nathan and Ruth (Newman) Heidel. He was a graduate of Luzerne High School and attended Penn State University. He worked for many years at United Airlines, New York City, and worked for Ponderosa Restaurants, Detroit, and McDonald's Restaurants, Wilkes-Barre. He was a veteran of the Korean War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He served with the Luzerne Volunteer Fire Department.
Surviving, in addition to his son, are his former wife, Orlean Garripee, Detroit; daughters, Laura Cude and Gloria Myatt, both of Michigan; several grandchildren; and brothers, William Heidel, Luzerne; and John Lockman, Swoyersville.
Services were held Wednesday in Pittsburgh. Interment will be held at a later date in Wilkes-Barre. Arrangements were by the McCabe Brothers, 5300 Pennsylvania Ave., Pittsburgh. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Loomis, Vera
Dec. 18, 2000
Vera M. Loomis, 79, of Orange City, Fla., formerly of Harveys Lake, died Dec. 18, 2000, at Florida Hospital-Fish Memorial, Orange City.
She was born in Ruggles. She worked for the Garment Workers Local, retiring in 1982. She was an member of United Methodist Women.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell C., Sr.
Surviving are her daughters, Sandra J. Race, Cornelius, N.C.; and Paulette J. Sturgis, Deltona, Fla.; sons, Darrell, Jr., Harrisburg; and Harry, Iron Station, N.C.; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and sister, Sarah Duko, Marcus Hook.
A Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. today at the Ruggles Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Heart and Lung Association; or The Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Arrangements were by the Lankford Funeral Home, Deland, Fla.
Laibinis, Elizabeth
Jan. 19, 2001
Elizabeth "Betty" Laibinis, 89, of Memorial Street, Exeter, died Friday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born March 12, 1911, in Exeter, she was a daughter of the late Simon and Mary (Valukonis) Abromavage. She attended Exeter schools. She worked at Consolidated Cigar Co., West Pittston, before retiring, and at Star Garment, Exeter. She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Exeter, and for many years was a member of St. Casimir's Church Choir, Altar and Rosary Society and Lithuanian Women's Club, Pittston.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard; brothers, Samuel, George, John, Stanley and Clement Abromavage; and sisters, Margaret Koval, Della Mundenar and Mildred Matalonis.
Surviving are her daughters, Bernadette Scholato, Pittsburgh; and Elizabeth Novack, Exeter; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday from the Kizis-Lokuta Funeral Home, 134 Church St., Pittston, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church. Interment will be in St. Casimir's Cemetery, Pittston. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
