Obituaries by LocationParrella, Nicholas
Jan. 21, 2001
Nicholas J. Parrella, 82, of Susquehanna Avenue, Exeter, died Sunday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born June 8, 1918, he was a son of the late Dominick and Rosella (Pepe) Parrella. He was a graduate of Exeter High School, Bucknell Junior College and The University of Southern California, where he played in two Rose Bowls. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was injured at Okinawa, where he received the Purple Heart Award. Before entering the service, he worked at the Parrella Family Farm, Exeter. He was also a research chemist, serving in many administrative capacities for 23 years with the S.B. Penick Co., Newark, N.J. He was a life member of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Exeter.
He was preceded in death
by his sisters, Josephine Cefalo and Margaret Valenti; and brother, Joseph.
Surviving are his wife of 47 years, the former Helen Pierzchala; son, Eugene Warchal, Freehold, N.J.; daughter, Deborah Marshal, Huntington, Vt.; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; sister, Angela Parrella, Jenkins Township; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday from the Frank A. Gubbiotti Funeral Home, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church. Interment will be in St. Cecilia's Cemetery, Exeter. Friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m. this evening. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of donor's choice.
Pecushok, Luba
Jan. 21, 2001
Luba Pecushok, 81, of Bronx River Road, Yonkers, N.Y., died Sunday at St. Joseph's Medical Center, Yonkers.
Born Dec. 10, 1919, in Old Forge, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary Serniak. She attended Old Forge schools. She worked in the billing department of the Jacobson Pharmacy, Yonkers, N.Y., before retiring. She was a member of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, Yonkers.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael; and brother, Harry.
Surviving are her daughters, Karen Pecushok, with whom she resided; and Michele Pecushok, Sacramento, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Friday from the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, 517 N. Main St., Old Forge, with a funeral service at 9:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Church, Old Forge. The Rev. David Mahaffey will officiate. Interment will be in St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cemetery, Old Forge. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. A Parastas service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. David Mahaffey officiating.
Povalitis, Anna
Jan. 22, 2001
Anna Povalitis, 94, formerly of Exeter, died Monday at Dorrance Manor, Kingston.
Born in Plymouth, she was a daughter of the late Constantine and Elizabeth (Zakarauskas) Povalitis. She worked in the local silk mills, before retiring.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Marcavage; and brother, Joseph.
Surviving are her sister, Nellie Supon, Bethlehem; nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Thursday from the Frank A. Gubbiotti Funeral Home, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia's Church, Exeter. Interment will be in St. Casimir's Cemetery, Muhlenburg. There will be no viewing.
Romonko, John
Jan. 21, 2001
John Romonko, 64, of Union Street, Luzerne, died Sunday at the Meadows Nursing Center, Dallas.
Born in Luzerne, he was a son of the late John and Sophia (Kacar) Romonko. He attended Luzerne schools. He worked for different garment factories in the area before retiring. He was a member of Holy Family Parish, formerly Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Bernard and George.
Surviving are his sister, Anna Kaminski, Rochester, N.Y.; and aunt, Helen Drobenak, with whom he resided.
A Mass of Christine Burial will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Family Parish in St. Ann's Church, Bennett Street, Luzerne. Interment will be in St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Pringle. Arrangements are by the Betz-Jastremski Funeral Home Inc., 568 Bennett St., Luzerne.
Yorio, Adele
Jan. 21, 2001
Adele Yorio, 91, of West Pittston, formerly of Pittston Township, died Sunday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born March 11, 1909, in Dunmore, she was the daughter of the late John and Aurora (De Marco) Lomma. She worked in the area garment industry, including the J & R Dress Co., before retiring. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, West Pittston, its Altar & Rosary Society and the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; son, Peter; and daughter, Angela Miller.
Surviving are her daughter, Lucy Maria, West Pittston; son, John, Middletown, Conn.; 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one niece.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Thursday from the Graziano Funeral Home Inc., 700 Pittston Blvd., Pittston Township, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton section of Kingston Township. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Memorial donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, West Pittston.
Zawacki, Mildred
Jan. 21, 2001
Mildred R. "Mitzi" Zawacki, of Simpson Street, Swoyersville, formerly of Baltimore, died Sunday at Valley Crest, Plains Township.
Born in Swoyersville, she was a daughter of the late Felix and Anna (Malinowski) Zawacki. She was a graduate of Swoyersville High School. She was a key punch operator with the federal government, before retiring. She was a member of Holy Name-St. Mary's Church, Swoyersville.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Stella Krysick; and brothers, Albert Nervitt and Frank.
Surviving are her sisters, Helen Fender, Plains Township; and Nellie Zawacki, Swoyersville; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday from the Joseph L. Wroblewski Funeral Home, 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Holy Name-St. Mary's Church. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton section of Kingston Township. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. this evening.
Zielinski, Stasia
Jan. 21, 2001
Stasia S. Zielinski, 84, of Maple Street, Nanticoke, died Sunday shortly after admission at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in the Glen Lyon section of Newport Township, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Sophia Materewicz. She attended Newport Township schools. She was a waitress for the American Legion Catering for a number of years. She was a member of St. Stanislaus Church, Nanticoke, its Ladies Catholic Council and Sacred Heart Society and the American Legion Auxiliary of Post 350, Nanticoke.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Sylvester and George Materewicz.
Surviving are her husband, Leonard; son, Paul, Nanticoke; two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; brother, Phil Materewicz, Kingston; and sisters, Jean Pakosh, Middletown; and Adeline Huttenstine, Nanticoke.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday from the Grontkowski Funeral Home P.C., 51-53 W. Green St., Nanticoke, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Church. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Nanticoke. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. this evening. The American Legion Auxiliary Post 350 will conduct services at 7 p.m. this evening.
Ayers, Harold
Jan. 22, 2001
Harold W. Ayers, 89, of Mills River, Henderson County, North Carolina, formerly of South Brunswick, N.J., and Lady Lake, Fla., died Monday.
Born in Wilkes Barre, he was a son of the late Arthur and Genniecq (Diamond) Ayers. He worked for Okonite Wire & Cable, Wilkes-Barre, retiring in 1972 after 46 years of service. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Hendersonville, N.C. He helped start Little League Baseball in Wilkes Barre, and was a softball umpire for many years. He was a member of the World Series Bleacher Club, blood donor, and member of the Gallon Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Edna L. (Gabel) Ayers.
Surviving are his sons, Robert L., Trenton, N.J.; Harold J., Mifflintown; and James G., Mills River; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Church Street, Hendersonville. Memorial donations may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 16, Asheville, N.C., 28802; Four Seasons Hospice, PO Box 2395, Hendersonville, N.C., 28793; or to the donor's favorite charity. Arrangements are by the Thos.cq Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors, Hendersonville.
Allen, Dorothy
Jan. 20, 2001
Dorothy D. Allen, of Plantation, Fla., formerly of Kingston, died Saturday at the West Side Regional Hospital, Plantation.
Born Nov. 25, 1918, in Larksville, she was a daughter of the late Charles A. and Catherine (Heffernan) Dundon. She was a graduate of Larksville High School and Wilkes-Barre Business College. She worked at Pennsylvania Millers Insurance Co., until her retirement in 1980. She was a member of St. Therese's Church, Wilkes-Barre, and St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Plantation.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy F.; sisters, Margaret Ahouse and Irene G. Coyle; and brother, Charles J. Dundon.
Surviving are her daughter, Dorothy Allen George, Plantation, with whom she resided until her death; sister, Kathleen Gilbert, Glendora, Calif.; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday from the Leo P. Lehman Funeral Home, 689 Hazle Ave., Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. James Alco officiating. Interment will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Shavertown section of Kingston Township. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Plantation. Funeral services were held at T.M. Ralph Funeral Home, Plantation.
Blakeslee, Ned
Jan. 21, 2001
Ned Blakeslee, 67, of West Liberty Street, Newtown section of Hanover Township, died Sunday.
Born March 23, 1933, in Ashley, he was a son of Irene (Blakeslee) Otscavich and the late Harry Blakeslee. He was a 1951 graduate of Hanover Township High School. He was a truck driver for Roadway Express for 28 years, before retiring in 1995. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.
He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, Ashley, Coalville Lodge 474, Sugar Notch, Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, and Irem Temple AAONMS, where he was a charter member of the Transportation Unit. He was also a member of Newtown Fire Co. No. 2, Teamsters Local 401, Amvets Post 59, Hanover Township, American Legion Post 815, Wilkes-Barre Township, and social member of Catholic War Veterans, Post 274, Ashley.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, John Otscavich; sister, Judith Baranowski; and brother, Harry.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife of 42 years, the former Dorothy Edmunds; son, N. Jeffrey, at home; daughter, Susan Zeske, Kingston; sisters, Jacquelyn Howatt, Hanover Township; Jill Mendygral, Harveys Lake; Fay Brown, Southington, Conn.; and Betty Mack, Lake Placid, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home Inc, 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hanover Township. The Rev. Carol E. Coleman will officiate. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Memorial donations may be made to the Henry Cancer Center, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, 1000 E. Mountain Drive, Wilkes-Barre, 18711; or to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, c/o Irem Temple AAOMNS, P.O. Box 307, Dallas, 18612-0307.
Clapper Sr., Daniel
Jan. 23, 2001
Daniel O. Clapper Sr., 93, of RR 3, Clapper Hill, Laceyville, died Tuesday at his home.
Born Aug. 9, 1907, on Clapper Hill, he was a son of the late Orell D. and Lena (Smith) Clapper. He and his late wife, the former Sylvia "Sib" Repsher lived their entire life on the family farm on Clapper Hill. He was the third generation of Clapper's to own the farm. He was a member of the Beaver Meadows United Methodist Church.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Daniel O., Jr.; and brothers, Clifford, Ernest and Lynn.
Surviving are his sons, Douglas, Clapper Hill; and Dennis, Monroe, N.C.; daughters, Donna Harvey, Clapper Hill; and Madge Kershner, Towanda; 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; sisters, Verna Davis, South Auburn; and Blanche Woodruff, Chenango Forks, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main Street, Laceyville. Interment will be in the Beaver Meadows Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Beaver Meadows United Methodist Church, c/o Donna Bennett, RR 1, Box 1184, Laceyville, 18623.
Dickson, Helen
Jan. 23, 2001
Helen Dickson, of died Tuesday at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
Born in the Plainsville section of Plains Township, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Magdalena (Leshinski) Maksimik. She was a 1937 graduate of Kingston High School. She was a member of St. Vladimir's Church, Edwardsville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert, Sr.; son, Albert, Jr.; brothers, Walter and John Maksimik; and sisters, Annette Boback, Anna Cooper and Mary Maksimik.
Surviving are her nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Friday from the Kopicki Funeral Home, 263 Zerbey Ave., Kingston, with Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. at St. Vladimir's Church. Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Larksville. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Parastas services will be at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, with the Very Rev. Archpriest Alex Burak officiating.
Diestel, Louise
Jan. 7, 2001
Louise (Mowery) Diestel, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, died Jan. 7 at the Apache Junction Health Care Center, Apache Junction, Ariz.
Born Nov. 2, 1917, in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Sterling and Harriet (Rees) Mowery. She was a 1935 graduate of GAR High School.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William; and brother, Russell Mowery.
Surviving are her sisters, Florence Hayman, Bloomsburg; and Gertrude Coleman, Apache Junction; and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were by the Mountain View Memorial Gardens, Mesa, Ariz.
Jordan, Theresa
Jan. 23, 2001
Theresa M. Jordan, 80, a resident of the Allied Services Skilled Nursing Facility, Scranton, formerly of Old Forge Manor, Mulberry Towers, Scranton, and Sussex Street, Old Forge, died Tuesday at the skilled nursing facility.
Born Oct. 18, 1920, in Old Forge, she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Theresa (Roche) Jordan. She was a graduate of Old Forge High School. She was a member of St. Peter's Cathedral, Scranton.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Marie.
Surviving are several cousins.
Cremation will be at Maple Hill Crematory, Hanover Township. A Memorial Mass will be held at the convenience of the family in February at St. Peter's Cathedral. Interment of her cremainscq will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Scranton. Arrangements are by the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, 517 N. Main St., Old Forge.
Jones, Shirley
Jan. 22, 2001
Shirley J. Jones, of Hazleton Street, Ashley, died Monday at her home.
Born Jan. 4, 1934, in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late John and Mary (Kishbaugh) Davis. She was a 1952 graduate of Ashley. She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, Ashley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; brothers, Reese, Jack, Walter and Bruce Davis; and sisters, Elizabeth Dowey and Dorothy Cosgrove.
Surviving are her daughter, Sue Sipsky, Larksville; two grandchildren; sisters, Linda Mullaney, Bloomfield, N.J.; and Ann Kosicki, Plymouth; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday from the Mamary-Durkin Funeral Home Inc., 59 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. Harriet Santos officiating. Interment will be in Chapel Lawn Cemetery, Dallas. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today.
