Obituaries by LocationLois Wagner Libbe
(August 21, 1937 - June 6, 2017)
Lois Wagner Libbe, of Tannersville, died Tuesday evening, June 6, 2017, at Hospice of The Sacred Heart in Dunmore surrounded by her loving family. She was the widow of Charles F. Libbe who died December 10, 2011.
Born on August 21, 1937 in Mt. Pocono, PA, she was a daughter of the late George S. and Anna (Titus) Wagner, and lived in Monroe County since the early 1960's. In later years, she enjoyed living at the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, PA. For the past several years Lois lived at The Pines of Clarks Summit Senior Living where her outgoing witty personality emerged. She developed friendships with the fellow residents, aides and staff, keeping them on their toes with her humorous comments.
She was a 1955 graduate of Stroudsburg High School and in 1956 earned a business degree from Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton.
Lois worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Department of Army at Tobyhanna Army Depot and at East Stroudsburg University.
She was a member of Dorothy Lim Memorial Court Order of Amaranth and enjoyed traveling and playing Mahjong.
Most special to Lois was being surrounded by her family. She inquired about them always and expressed how much they meant to her.
Lois loved all music, especially Biblical hymns, classical music and her many trips to Philadelphia and NYC to attend symphony concerts. She displayed her musical love with her piano playing; even most recently playing for The Pines residents. She earned several "piano performance awards" as a young adult.
Special thanks are extended for the exceptional love and care provided by aides and staff of The Pines of Clarks Summit, the Hospice of The Sacred Heart; Pat Ephault, Katie Hopkins, Liz Hovencamp; and to those at Geisinger CMC that gave her wonderful care.
Surviving are two sisters, Ruth Edmondson and husband Harold of Elizabethtown, PA and Shirley W. Eagen of Clarks Summit, PA; nieces and nephews, Jay M. Eagen and wife Cathy of Durango, CO, Gretchen Ann Eagen and fiancé Matthew D. Mackie III of Waverly, PA, Scott Libbe and wife Jane, and Rudney Libbe; and grandniece and grandnephew, Brianna R. Eagen and Keiran J. Eagen. In addition to her husband she was preceeded in death by a brother in law, James M. Eagen.
Graveside funeral services will begin at 11:00AM on Saturday, June 10th, at Laurelwood Cemetery, Bryant Street, Stroudsburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to Elm Park United Methodist Church, Scranton, PA or Lois Libbe memorial fund, C/O Gretchen Eagen, PO Box 189, Waverly, PA 18471
William M. Brown
(May 22, 1920 - June 7, 2017)
U.S. Veteran
William M. Brown, 97, a medic in the South Pacific who waded ashore with the American invasion force at Luzon in 1945 and who spent the rest of his life devoted to and loved by his family and his friends, passed away June 7 in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida. His wife of 69 years, Hilda C. Brown, predeceased him.
Mr. Brown, the first in his family to go to either high school or college, graduated from East Stroudsburg High School and from East Stroudsburg State Teachers College. He was inducted into the U.S. Army in January, 1942 and served with the 7th Evacuation Hospital until August, 1945, when he was discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He was a medic in the Solomon Islands, on Guadalcanal and in the Philippines and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal.
Following his discharge, Mr. Brown was for over 25 years the co-proprietor with his parents of Brown’s Market in Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg. When Brown’s Market closed, Mr. Brown worked as a case worker with the Monroe County Children’s Bureau until his retirement in the mid-1980’s.
Mr. Brown loved speaking with other people. Everyone and everything interested him and he always wanted to hear what everyone had to say. Although he and his wife, a longtime elementary school teacher at Morey School, traveled widely and together visited most of the 50 States, as well as such distant cities as Capetown, Moscow and Istanbul, Mr. Brown most liked being at his home in Stroudsburg.
Mr. Brown was an active member of Temple Israel in Stroudsburg. His parents were among the founders of the Temple and Mr. Brown was a member of the Brotherhood and a committed congregant.
Mr. Brown is survived by his sons, Elliot of New York City, Mark of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida and Marvin of Raleigh, North Carolina; his daughters-in-law, Vicki and Gena; four grandchildren, Sam, Aubree, Megan and Sari-Rose, a granddaughter-in-law, Sarah, and a great-grandson, Huck. Mr. Brown’s parents and his brother, Lester, a prominent Stroudsburg attorney, and Lester’s wife, Judy, all predeceased him.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, at Temple Israel, 711 Wallace St., Stroudsburg followed by interment in the Temple Israel Cemetery, Marshalls Creek.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Israel, 711 Wallace St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360 or to the East Stroudsburg University Foundation for the William and Hilda Brown Scholarship Fund, 200 Prospect St., East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.
Richard C. Smith
(August 28, 1922 - June 5, 2017)
U.S. Veteran
Richard C. Smith, 94, of Swiftwater, died Monday, June 5, 2017 at home. He was the widower of Sadie K. Smith and Calista Smith.
Born on August 28, 1922 in Reisterstown, MD he was a son of the late George W. and Hannah (Dudley) Smith. He and his family moved to Tannersville in 1954 from Baltimore, MD where he lived until 1984 when he moved to El Paso, Texas. In 2008 he returned to Monroe County.
He was a World War II veteran having served in the United States Army; and worked at Tobyhanna Army Depot from 1954 to 1984.
Richard was Catholic and a former member of Our Lady of Victory Church in Tannersville.
He enjoyed activities at the Barrett Township Senior Center, dancing, and feeding the deer and birds.
Surviving are a son, Lawrence R. Smith and life partner Victor W. Strunk of Swiftwater; companion, Lois Rothrock of Swiftwater; four step-grandchildren, Daniel Costanzo and wife Jayne, Dean Costanzo and wife Marta, Desiree Casares, and Dorothy Matula and husband Bruce; and four step-great grandchildren, Victoria, Ali, Sarah and James. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Arthur, Lawrence and Neil Smith; and a sister, Thelma Dixon, .
Viewing will begin at 1:30PM followed by a prayer service at 2:30PM on Thursday, June 8, at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg. The Rev. Richard Czachor will officiate. Graveside services and burial will be at 1:00PM Friday, June 9, at Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville, MD.
Shirley M. Gonzalez
(July 11, 1929 - May 22, 2017)
Shirley May Gonzalez, 87, of Stroudsburg, died Monday afternoon, May 22, 2017, while under hospice care at home. She was the widow of Julius Martin Gonzalez who died April 18, 1992.
Born on July 11, 1929 in Union Township, Luzerne County, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Hazel (Werman) Carle and lived in Monroe County since 1984.
Surviving is a brother, Edwin Carle of Seminole, Florida; a daughter, JoAnn Hickey of Avon, Colorado; a son, Leon F. Gonzalez of Morris Plains, NJ; and a daughter, Debra Reilly of Ocean City, NJ. In addition, there are seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
As per her request, her body was gifted to science through Humanity Gifts Registry of Philadelphia. There will be no services.
Memorial remembrances should be made in her name to the American Cancer Society.
Bonnie L. Gorse
(June 11, 1955 - May 19, 2017)
Bonnie L. Gorse
Bonnie L. Gorse, 61, of East Stroudsburg, died suddenly Friday morning, May 19, 2017. She was the wife of John Gorse.
Born on June 11, 1955 in East Stroudsburg, she was a daughter of the late Charles S. Rode and Freida Possinger.
In addition to her husband, surviving are two sons, Matthew Shook and Timothy Eck; a grandson, Tyler Eck; and a sister, Joann Jennings.
Cremation was private and services will take place at the convenience of the family.
Lorna B. Hilliard
(October 24, 1924 - May 12, 2017)
U.S. Veteran
Lorna Bowman Hilliard, 92, formerly of Swiftwater, passed away early Friday morning May 12, 2017 at Weston Senior Living Center, Easton, PA.
Born on October 24, 1924 at home at Shadybrook in Swiftwater, she was the daughter of the late David W. Bowman Jr. and Lorna (Storm) Bowman. She was a lifetime resident of Monroe County.
She graduated from Pocono High School, Tannersville. Her nursing education was at The Babies Hospital of the City of New York (part of Columbia University) .
She was a World War II veteran, having served in the Army Air Corps. Her service included care of military babies and children, and of the returning wounded servicemen at Fort Indiantown Gap Military Hospital. After leaving the service she did in-home private duty nursing.
Surviving are her four children, Amelia “Amy” Jo Albert (Paul) of East Stroudsburg, Clarissa “Lisa” Lee Drake of Tamaqua, Cynthia Irene Cramer of Scranton and Charles David Hilliard of Reeders; two grandsons, Christopher P. Albert (Rebecca) of Effort and Owen D. Albert of East Stroudsburg; one great grandchild, Elena L. Albert of Effort; four sisters, May B. Chase of Great Falls, MT, Margaret B. Buttrell of Laurel, MT, Jane B. Sebring (Joseph) of Church Creek, MD and Patricia B. Helvey of Helena, MT; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by eight siblings in the following order: Arthur “Cap” Bowman, John H. Bowman Sr., Richard D. Bowman, David W. Bowman III, Elinor B. Karnes, Nancy B. Carlton, Garrison S. Bowman Sr. and Anne B. Rother.
She will be remembered for her roadside garden that was enjoyed by all who passed on Bowman Road. Friends and family could always turn to her for gardening advice. She was always willing to share her knowledge and any extra plants she had grown.
“Taffy” was known to share her delicious homemade baked goods with those that did her a kindness. When she held the position of baker for The Hawthorn Inn, Mount Pocono, she was in her glory.
Services will be held at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Viewing will begin at 10:00AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00AM. A private cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your favorite animal charity, at Lorna’s request.
