rms -- PAGE 8 THE POST OBITUARIES Sunday, December 3, 2006 ALICE JANE BROWN Life’s passion was caring for other family members Alice Jane Brown, 82, of Leh- man Township passed away sud- denly on Friday, Nov. 24, 2006 while recovering from heart sur- gery. She showed her usual cour- age in deciding to undergo the surgery, which carried the prom- ise of substantially prolonged life. During the recovery her two sons took turns staying by her side. She was a very hard-work- ing, compassionate and giving woman whose main mission and passion in life was caring for oth- er family members. She was born in Trucksville on May 14, 1924, the fourth of seven children born to the late Bert and Gladys (Dymond) Brace. She graduated from Dallas Township High School in 1943 and later that same year she married Earl Brown. They were able to share nearly 60 wonderful years togeth- er. After a brief period working in Connecticut, they returned to Dallas and lived there until Earl’s retirement from General Electric in 1983. They then undertook the design and construction of a new family home in Lehman Town- ship. Alice loved living in the country and she had a special ap- preciation for the wildlife, native plants, sunsets and night sky. She was a loving homemaker and caregiver for all of her life. In her husband, she cared in her home for her husband’s parents (Frank and Nellie Brown), her husband’s great uncle (Herbert Riley), and in later years, for her husband after he developed Alz- heimer’s disease. The joy she re- ceived from caring for others anid the kindness and respect she showed in providing that care was always apparent. Alice enjoyed traveling, partic- ularly to St. John in the Virgin Is- lands, where the family spent sev- eral wonderful vacations togeth- er. She loved dancing with her husband to big band music and was a great cook known for her pies and cookies. For nearly 60 years, she was an active member of the Dallas United Methodist Church, where she served as trea- surer of the Durbin/Colwell class. Alice is preceded in death by her husband Earl in 2003 and sur- vived by two sons, Allan of Fair- field; Roger of Stonington, Conn.; a brother and his wife, Elton and Janice Brace of Dallas; a sister and her husband, Barbara and Hank Evans of Gettysburg, Pa.; nieces, nephews; special friend, Dan Leonard and the family dog, Winston. Interment, Warden Cemetery in Dallas. Memorial donations may be made to Dallas United Methodist Church, the Visiting Nurse Association or to another charity of the donor’s choice. DANIEL R. CARR Considered everyone his buddy Daniel R. Carr, 53, of Dallas, lost his fight against pneumonia. He was born Aug. 15, 1953, in Kingston, Pa., to the late Cathe- rine H. Davenport and the late James L. Carr. In his later years Dan liked to relax and enjoy life in such activities as tearing out ads for the newspaper, trips to McDo- nald’s, shopping, and Sunday morning church. He especially enjoyed his vacations to Florida and Disney, the dinner dances put on by the Parent/Friend Group, and numerous activities put on by the Luzerne County Recreational Center. Danny at- tended Day Development Pro- gram, Kingston. He was one of the friendliest people you could have met. He always greeted you with a hug and a kiss for the la- dies. He considered everyone his buddy. Dan was preceded in death by sisters, Ethel Gray, Catherine L. Carr; brothers, Lawrence J. and David E. Carr; and stepfather, Ralph Naugle. Dan lived with his sister, Ann Karuza, who he lovingly referred to as “My Ann.” Dan also leaves stepmother, Barbara Carr of York, Pa.; sisters, Rose Lightner, York, Pa., Diane Stedge of Waver- ly, N.Y.; numerous nieces and ne- phews. Interment, Memorial Shrine Cemetery. addition to raising two sons with BETTE L. SNYDER Longtime board member of Back Mountain Memorial Library Bette L. Snyder of Or- chard West, Dallas, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006 at Wesley Vil- lage, where she had been a patient for the past year. Born in Milton on May 15, 1919, Bette was a daughter of the late S.C.B. Lynn and Sara Balliet Lynn of King- ston. She graduated from King- ston High School and Buck- nell Junior College. In 1940, she relocated to New York City, where she became an advertising personnel place- ment specialist with the Walter A. Lowen Agency. It was there that Bette met her husband, the late Char- les S. Snyder, whom she married in 1948. In 1959, Be- tte and her husband return- ed to the Wyoming Valley to work with her father’s fam- ily business, The Lynn Orga- nization Advertising Agen- cy. Bette was a faithful mem- ber of the Church of Christ Uniting in Kingston. She was an active member in her community, serving as a long time board member of the Back Mountain Library and the Wilkes-Barre SPCA. Her firm belief in voluntee- rism was evident during World War II, where she served others as a dedicated driver of the Motor Corps. She was a vivacious wom- an who believed in living each day to the fullest. She was an avid golfer, tennis player, and cherished her weekly bridge club. Bette was an accom- plished artist, specializing in oil painting and the skill of applying decoupage. She was extremely adept at nee- dlepoint and sewing. She also loved to travel, taking her last trip to Eu- rope at the age of 80. Bette is survived by her devoted sister and brother- in-law, Peggy and Matt Fields of Kingston; step- children Susan (Snyder) Harris and husband Larry of Naples, Fla.; and Peter Snyder and wife Barbara of Las Vegas, NV. She is also survived by nephews Chris Fields, Kingston; Mark Fields and wife Lori, New York City; Jeffrey Fields and his companion Josh Wun- ner, both of Kingston; niece Cathy (Fields) McHugh and husband John, Kingston; and great-nephew, Jesse McHugh. Interment, family mauso- leum in Paradise Valley in Milton. Memorial dona- tions may be made to the SPCA or the Church of Christ Uniting in Kingston. JOHN PAUL LUBA Decorated World War II veteran John Paul Luba, 83, of Lake Silkworth, passed away Friday, Nov. 24, 2006. He was born in Askam and lived in Elizabeth, N.J., Rah- way, N.J. and Warrior Run, where he served as mayor from 1980 to 1982 before moving to Lake Silkworth. He was em- ployed for 29 years by the Sing- er Corporation, Elizabeth, N.J., where he also served as chief shop steward. After retiring in 1978, he returned to Lake Silk- worth. Mr. Luba also main- tained a winter residence in Bradenton, Fla. He loved cruis- ing to the Caribbean and Flor- ida. He was a member of the Silk- worth Lake Commission, the Sweet Valley Golf Course, the Luzerne Posse Comitatus, V.EW. Post 2636 in Iselin, N.J., and the American Legion Post 0176, Warrior Run. He was a decorated World War II veter- an of the 16th Infantry Re- giment First Division, receiv- ing the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious action during the American first wave landing at Normandy Beach, Purple Heart Medal for injuries dur- ing the liberation of Germany, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Distin- guished Unit Badge, and the European African Middle East- ern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Service Stars. He was predeceased in 1969, by his wife of 21 years, Victoria (Mitros) Luba. He is survived by his daughters, Constance Lysko and her husband, John, of Ocean Twp., N.J.; Nancy Lu- ba of Lake Silkworth.; his brother, Walter P. Luba of Qua- kertown; and his sister Pauline Sterling of Encino, Ca. LORETTA KOKASKO Volunteered for church, civic and community groups Loretta Kokasko, of Dallas and Brentwood, N.Y., passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006 at the age of 77. She was the beloved wife of the late Frank A. Kokasko; the loving mother of Frankie (Cyn- thia) Kokasko, Evelyn (Joe) Scalise, Barbara (Pat) Cant- well, and Carol Barrett; the de- voted grandmother of Joey, Dawn, John, Christopher, Sean, Kim, Patrick, Brianna and Mykel; the cherished aunt of Robert Ekstrom and the faithful friend to Peggy, Joe, Mary, and Norma. She was a volunteer with church, civic and community groups and was a life-long member of the Brentwood Youth Organiza- tion. Interment, Long Island Na- tional Cemetery, Pinelawn, NY. What good IS equity if you don’t use it? JOHN J. GRULA JR. Loved entertaining family and friends at Harveys Lake home On Nov. 25, 2006, John J. Grula Jr. of R.R. 1, Harveys Lake, formerly of Luzerne and Swoyersville, went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and Peg lost the love of her life. After almost 20 years of successfully battling cancer, he lost the fight for his life in a brief but overwhelming battle with a sudden internal infec- tion. His reward for bravery, above and beyond the call, was a much-deserved trip home. John was born and raised in Luzerne on March 20, 1941. Upon graduation from Luzerne High in 1958, John worked in Connecticut and New Jersey until being drafted into the U.S. Army (June 1960 to March 1963). After his military obliga- tion was fulfilled, he worked for Automatic Vending, Amer- ican Cyanimid, Celotex, Bri- don American, and in 1983 he and his son, Michael, started the family business, J&G Cleaning Services. John and Peg were married Aug. 20, 1960. Beloved son John J. III was born in Alaska and second precious gift from God, son Michael Matthew, was born in Kingston. John loved to play guitar, lis- ten to music, fishing trips to Canada with his son Michael and his dear friends, and enter- taining family and friends at his home at Harveys Lake. John is preceded on the glo- rious trip home by his first- born son, John J. III, in 1982; mom Caroline (Mullish) Grula in 1954; and dad John J. Sr. in 1994. Surviving are his devoted wife of 46 years, Margaret “Peggie” Monforte Grula; pre- cious children Michael and Li- sa (Roginsky) Grula and their precious sons, whom he cher- ished, John J. IV and Matthew Michael. He is also survived by his brother, Robert J. Grula, and his wife, Margaret, Churchville, MD, their chil- dren, Bobby, Cindy and Steven Peters, Christine; sister Do- rothy and Joseph Popivachak and their children, Joseph, Su- zanne and Steven Meyers, and their grandchildren, Shelby and Trent Meyers, all of New Jersey; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; and all of his extended family. EDWARD G. DUBIL JR. Lifelong Steelers fan; Civil War enthusiast Edward G. Dubil Jr., 37, of Harveys Lake, passed away un- expectedly at home on Thurs- day, Nov. 23, 2006. Born Nov. 1, 1969, he was the son of Edward G. Dubil Sr. and Donna Bryant, both of Harveys Lake. Ed graduated from Lake- Lehman High School in 1987, and was a member of the Alder- son United Methodist Church, Harveys Lake. Throughout his life he has worked for the SPCA, as a state humane offi- cer, he volunteered for many veterinarians in the area, in- cluding his friend, Dr. Mark Stair of the Trucksville Animal Hospital. He was most recently employed by First Hospital, Kingston, as a mental health technician. Eddie was a devoted, life- long Steelers fan and he lived for the black and gold. He greatly enjoyed playing base- ball as a youth and softball as an adult. He was also a Civil War enthusiast. Along with his father, he founded the Ameri- can Battlefield Ghost Hunters Society and the White Dog Ghost Chasers, named after his American bulldog and con- stant companion, Brutus. To- gether they traveled the battle- fields of the Civil War from Get- tysburg to Andersonville, in search of battlefield spirits. Ed also gave tours in Gettysburg for his friend, Mark Nesbitt. Ed was preceded in death by his grandparents, whom he held dear, Joshua and Marga- retta Bryant Jr. and Michael and Marguerite Dubil. Surviv- ing, in addition to his parents, are a sister, Lori Giunta and her husband, Joseph, Harveys Lake, with a niece on the way; a great-aunt, Eleanor Puter- baugh; many uncles, aunts and loving cousins. Eddie will be sadly missed and never forgotten by all who came to know him. May his grandparents welcome him to heaven in their loving arms along with Jesus, his Savior. Interment, Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas. Memo- rial contributions may be sent to the Alderson United Metho- dist Church, P.O. Box 271, Har- veys Lake, PA 18618; or the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 E. Main St. Fox Hill Road, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. PAULINE E. POLACHEK Longtime member of Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas Pauline E. Polachek, 95, of Wilkes-Barre Township and formerly of Dallas, passed away Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006 at the Manor Care, Kingston. Born in Republic, she was a daughter of the late John J. and Anna Tomko Baloga. She at- tended the Sacred Heart School, Wilkes-Barre. She was a member of Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas, and was a life member of its Altar and Rosary Society, and was a life member of Mercy Center Auxiliary, Dal- las. She was preceded in death by her husband, John M., in 1973; daughter Susan Casey in 2001; and 16 siblings. Surviving are daughters Theresa Shiner, Wilkes-Barre; Mary Ann Balwierczak, Cotter, Ariz.; Monica Kormas, Hun- 18 great-grandchildren; and eight foster children. Interment, Sacred Heart Cemetery, Dallas. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. DONALD M. CRAGLE Worked on roads in Ross Township Donald M. Cragle, 80, of Sweet Valley, passed away Sun- day, Nov. 26, 2006, at the Hos- pice Community Care, Wilkes- Barre. Mr. Cragle was born in King- ston, and was the son of the late Theodore and V. Maude Cragle. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952. He worked on roads in Ross Town- ship and was a member of the Isaac Walton Farms, Red Rock. He was preceded in death by brothers Harold and Leo; sis- ters Gladys, Alma, Hazel, He- len, Arlene and Edna. He is sur- vived by his wife, the former Marsha Grey; children Donald, Chad, Matthew, Dawn Marie, Carol Lee; stepchildren Cindy, Harry, Alice, Carl; a brother, Kenny; nieces, nephews and 10 grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Outlet Bible Tabernacle, 134 Lincoln -St., Dallas, PA 18612 or the Sweet Valley Ambulance, P.O. Box 207, Sweet Valley, PA 18656. Member of Sons of the American Legion, Dallas David (Dave) Parks, 27, of Dal- las, passed away Friday, Nov. 24, 2006 in the Community Medical Center, Scranton, following inju- ries he sustained in a motorcycle accident. Known by many as Dave and Scooter, he was born in Wilkes- Barre, son of Art and Melanie (Zeveney) Parks of Dallas. He was a graduate of the West Side DAVID PARKS Vocational Technical School in Pringle. He was employed as a truck driver by Keystone Auto- motive; and for the past year em- ployed by Auto Transport of Ma- cungie. Dave was a member of L.A.N. and Sons of the American Legion Post 672, Dallas. Surviving, beside his parents, are a sister, Tara Parks Fenner, Dallas; niece, Alissa; nephew, Shawn; aunts and uncles. Interment, Orcutt Grove Cem- etery, Noxen. Memorial contri- butions may be made to the Armed Forces Relief Trust Dept. 6055 Washington, D.C. 20042- 6055. PATRICK O’DONNELL INO) AA 0) 4 ® Rt. 118, Next to WRGN R: Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs 11-5; Fri 11-4; Sat 10-2 Optical SWART AR WA 1S Judy Humenanski, O.D. Patrick O’Donnell, Optician until Dec. 10 Join Us For Our Open House on December 9th! Lehman Nursery Route 118, Lehman We will be accepting non- perishable food donations for the Hooves & Hoppers 4-H Club The food drive will benefit the Back Mountain Food Pantry Phone: 675-1829 Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm; Sunday 1pm-5pm lock Creek; 15 grandchildren; ® i | \ | HA Hd . I 1A
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers