Obituaries by LocationRobert T. Heid
(April 9, 1930 - August 19, 2015)
U.S. Veteran
Robert Theodore Heid, 85, of East Stroudsburg, died peacefully at PMC Hospice House on August 19, 2015 with his family, including Enoch Mensah, at his side. He was the devoted husband of the late Joan Helen (Dowling) Heid who passed away in June of 2012. They celebrated 54 years of marriage in September of 2011.
Born on April 9, 1930 in Allentown, he was the son of the late Daniel and Marietta (Leiser) Heid. With his extended Swiss family, he moved to Monroe County in 1935 where he has lived for the past 80 years. He attended Smithfield Elementary School and graduated from East Stroudsburg High School.
Robert joined the Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. He also served during the Korean War in Puerto Rico where he was trained as a demolitions expert.
Robert was the last surviving fireman involved in the Marshalls Creek Explosion of 1964 where he suffered multiple injuries. He was very fortunate to survive the explosion but always regretted that his demolitions experience learned in the Marines was of no use during the incident. After a long rehabilitation, he returned to work for the Patterson Kelly Company where he was a laboratory technician. During the later years of his career, he had the opportunity to travel for work to help set up and test equipment in South Africa, Italy and Switzerland. While in Switzerland, he sought out and was thrilled to meet two of his great uncles in the small town of Zurgen.
In 1992 just a month shy of his planned retirement, Robert suffered a devastating stroke. He was not expected to recover much mobility, but in classic “Poppy style” he worked very hard in rehabilitation at Good Sheppard and within two years was driving again. He went back to work at Fernwood Resort as a handyman for a short time but finally retired in 1996. During this time he enjoyed tinkering around his home, making bird feeders, and splitting fire wood with his hand made log splitter. He especially loved going to his daughter’s restaurant almost every day for breakfast always leaving with a special treat for his dog. He loved being the center of attention and he became a staple at the restaurant where Patricia always doted over him.
Robert enjoyed a lot of hobbies during his lifetime. Being that his parents and grandparents were employed in the silk milling industry, he learned to knit as a boy and made some amazing textiles in his younger years. He loved photography, obtained a pilot’s license, built his own radio controlled airplanes, made homemade root beer and wine, took his children strawberry picking and made delicious jelly, loved making homemade bread and tended over his large vegetable garden. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing for much of his life, a passion that he passed on to his son. He enjoyed these things locally and made many trips to the Delaware River in Bushkill, Ocean City NJ and Lake Ontario with friends and family, boat in tow.
After the death of his wife, Roberts’s wishes were to remain in his home, built largely with his own two hands, with the second love of his life, Ginger, his Golden Retriever. While it was not possible for Robert to stay at home alone due to his deteriorating health, with the dedication of his family, neighbors and kind, compassionate caregivers, he was able to stay in his home for the last three years of his life. Each and every day he enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, seeing the birds perch outside of his sliding glass window, and watching the daily parade of chipmunks and squirrels and their latest antics. He was thrilled this spring when a resident doe visited regularly with her three fawns.
His family is incredibly grateful to Dr. Giriwarlal Gupta, MD who provided 23 years of excellent care to “Mr. Heid”. He acted as his primary care physician as well as his neurologist shepherding him though many health related problems and procedures that without a doubt gave him many additional years to enjoy life.
They are also grateful to all of the home healthcare professionals that made it possible for Robert to stay in his home including Kristy, Georgie and Paula at Griswold Home Care who helped organize his care. Dorice VanBritsom, his very first caregiver who dad adored who showed the family the ropes, Ms. Macy Allison who unselfishly gave a year of dedicated service and friendship to Robert and Ginger, Henry Atiah who spent a year and a half with “The Captain” providing endless compassion, care and encouragement while sharing his spiritual wisdom with his family, and Enoch Mensah who fearlessly carried the baton across the finish line.
He is survived by four children, Elizabeth Kosmerl and her husband Kevin of Stormville, Susan Heid Miller of Belcamp, MD, Daniel Heid of Shawnee on Delaware and Christine Himler and her husband Eric of Sciota; four grandchildren, Courtney (Kosmerl) Knowlton and Kara Kosmerl of Quincy, MA, Matthew Miller of Belcamp, MD and Loren (Miller) Mueller of Louisville, KY; brother-in-law Walter Thomas and his wife Patricia Dowling of Chalfont and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death of his sister Ruth Hujik of Akron Ohio and her husband Steve and his beloved golden retrievers Ginger, Tawny and Goldie.
A memorial service in celebration of Robert’s life will take place at the William H. Clark Funeral Home on Saturday, August 29th with visitation starting at 10 AM followed by a service with military honors beginning 11 AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial remembrances be made to PMC Hospice House, East Stroudsburg PA, the Marshalls Creek Volunteer Fire Company or Good Sheppard Rehabilitation Hospital, Allentown, PA.
Thomas S. George
(January 28, 1952 - August 28, 2015)
Thomas S. George, 63, of East Stroudsburg, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2015 at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest.
Born on January 28, 1952 in East Stroudsburg, he was the son of the late Ernest and Malinda George.
Tom was the husband of Diane George for 42 years this month. His most precious things in life were his daughters, Michelle Felmly of Mountainhome and Allison LaBar of Florida; his granddaughters, Stephanie Felmly, Savannah and Eva Goguen.
He is also survived by a brother, LeRoy of Hawaii; a sister, Lillian Freideman of South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, April Kay Duganieri.
He will always be remembered for his generous giving ways by his extended family of many friends.
Tom was a welder and mechanic before becoming a bus driver for the East Stroudsburg School District before his disability. A "jack of all trades", he was always ready to help anyone in need. Tom was an honorary life-member of the Sons of the American Legion and George N. Kemp Post 346 American Legion; and a past-member of the VFW and Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was also a lifetime member of the Marshalls Creek Fire Company and was a volunteer mechanic for Bushkill Ambulance.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday, September 5, at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bushkill Emergency Corps, Marshalls Creek Fire Company or Wooddale United Methodist Church.
God speed our husband, father and friend!
Donald L. Henderschedt
(December 31, 1943 - November 16, 2014)
The Reverend Donald L. Henderschedt, entered into eternal life with his Lord on Sunday, November 16, 2014. Married to Bernice E. Henderschedt for 49 years, they lived in Stroudsburg for the past 37 years.
He dedicated his life to the Lord and the churches he served. In 1969 he was ordained as a minister of the Lutheran Church and his service started with a five church parish; Christ United Lutheran Church in Ashland, Lavelle, Gerardville, Gordon and Kimmels, PA. He then became a pastor developer for the Division for Mission in North America starting a new congregation, Holy Love Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO. He returned to Pennsylvania serving on Northeastern PA Synod Staff and Liaison for Division for Missions doing recreational ministry at local resorts, campgrounds and ski resorts. In 1982 he was called to serve St. John's Lutheran Church in Stroudsburg where he served for 10 years and had an integral part in the development of Rainbow Trail Day Care. He then went to St. John's Lutheran Church in Scranton for three years and after that served as interim pastor for Neffs Union Church; Jordan Lutheran Church in Orefield; St. John's Lutheran Church in Jim Thorpe; and St. John's Lutheran Church in Scotrun.
He was a member of Kiwanis and P.A.T.H. board.
In addition to his wife he is survived by two children, James G. Henderschedt and his wife Kelly of Marlborough, CT and Cheryl Henderschedt and her husband Rick Munson of Stroudsburg; five grandchildren, Emma, Owen, Lucy and Rosie of Marlborough, CT and Nicole of Stroudsburg; two brothers, Rev. James L. Henderschedt and his wife Betty of Allentown and Rev. Dale Henderson and his wife Rosemary of Fort Wayne, IN; a brother-in-law, Glenn Butler and his wife Frieda of Evans, GA; and two nephews and three nieces.
There will be visitation with the family from 7:00 to 9:00PM on Friday, November 21, and 10:00 to 11:00AM on Saturday, November 22, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 9 North 9th St., Stroudsburg. A memorial service of praise and thanksgiving for Donald's life will begin at 11:00AM Saturday at the church with the Rev. Dody S. Siegfried officiating. Private interment will take place at the convenience of the family at Laurelwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 9 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360; E.L.C.A. World Hunger c/o St. John's Lutheran Church in Stroudsburg; or National Parkinsons Foundation, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
Benjamin T. Harris, Sr.
(October 8, 1955 - September 1, 2015)
Benjamin T. Harris, Sr, born and raised in East Stroudsburg, Pa, passed away on September 1, 2015 at his home in Belleair Beach, Florida.
Born October 8, 1955, he was the son of the late William Wallace and Marie Gertrude (Adams) Harris.
He is survived by his son and family, Benjamin T. Harris, Jr, wife, Holly Harris, and his granddaughter, Callie Jo Harris, of Brackettville, Texas and his significant other, Carole Matyas, of Belleair Beach, Florida. In addition, he is survived by three brothers, William Wallace Harris Jr, of Delaware Water Gap, Pa, James Harris and Catherine Michaels, of Snydersville, and Timothy Harris and wife, DeAnn Harris, of East Stroudsburg, Pa; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by he ex-wife, Mary Jane Bierly, of Lewistown, Pa.
An avid sports fan, he didn't hide his love for his favorite teams, the New York Yankees, the Green Bay Packers, the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Edinboro Fighting Scots. Along with sports, he loved the outdoors. Stories of times passed about hunting and fishing on the Saw Creek were never a lost memory.
He will always be remembered for his kind heart and fun loving attitude toward life.
A memorial visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00PM on Saturday, September 12, at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main St., Stroudsburg, Pa, with a celebratory gathering to follow. Location will be announced at the visitation.
In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances may be made to the East Stroudsburg Fire Department, Acme Hose Co. #1, 380 Chestnut Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18360.
Michael A. Scarsella, Sr.
(August 27, 1960 - September 1, 2015)
U.S. Veteran
Michael A. Scarsella, Sr., 55, of Stroudsburg, laid down this life and picked up life eternal on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at home with his loving and caring family members around him. He was the loving husband of Teresa (Stallings) Scarsella with whom he was united in marriage on October 25, 1980 in Biloxi, MS.
Born on August 27, 1960 in East Stroudsburg, he was a son of Elizabeth (Gresick) Scarsella of Sciota and the late Joseph Scarsella. He was a life-time resident of Monroe County and a 1979 graduate of Stroudsburg High School. Following graduation, he served his country in the United States Air Force, in the "Electronic Security Command" from 1980 to 1984 and was a Lebanon/Grenada Veteran. Michael was a member and Past Commander of The American Legion, Charles Nelson Lobb, Post 502 in Pen Argyl and a recent transfer to the George N. Kemp, Post 346 in East Stroudsburg.
He was a graduate of East Stroudsburg University with a degree in Psychology and a graduate of the University of Scranton with a Masters of Science in Counseling. He was employed with the Stroudsburg Area School District as a guidance counselor and was the Student Information System Data Manager of the District for the past several years. Michael also loved to teach and was an adjunct psychology professor at East Stroudsburg University since 1996.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Michael A. Scarsella, Jr. and his wife Susan of Sparta, NJ and Daniel Scarsella of Stroudsburg. Michael comes from a large family and is survived by seven brothers and sisters: Joseph Scarsella of Sciota, Thomas Scarsella and his wife, Meredith, of Lancaster, Stephen Luke Scarsella of Citrus Heights, CA, Wanda Ace of Sciota, Marie Reish and her husband, Dean, of East Stroudsburg, Carol Scarsella of Stroudsburg, and John Scarsella and his wife, Lore, of Goldsboro, NC; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Amanda Marie Scarsella on June 10, 1996.
Michael loved sharing his faith and love of Jesus with everyone. He was a member of Christian Life Assembly, in Stroudsburg, since 1984 and had served as Sunday School Superintendent, Men's Ministry Leader, and was the usher's coordinator for many years.
Friends and family may call from 3:00 to 6:00PM on Friday, September 4, at Christian Life Assembly, 2209 West Main Street, Stroudsburg. A Celebration of Home Going will follow beginning at 6:00PM at the church, with Pastor Craig Johnson officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christian Life Assembly of Stroudsburg.
The family extends a special thank you to the VNA Hospice of East Stroudsburg for their professional care and compassion shown to Michael during his last moments with us.
