PAGE 4 THE DALLAS POST Sunday, January 9, 2011 OBITUARIES ALLAN - Donna Sekera, died Monday, December 27, 2010, at the Hospice Community Care Unit of Geisinger South, Wilkes- Barre, due to complications re- lating to her battle with cancer. She was a graduate of Dallas High School, class of 1970, and was formerly employed by Merle Norman Wilkes-Barre, M.E. Moore Realty and presently Le- with & Freeman Realty, King- ston. She was a member of the Back Mountain Harvest Assembly, was a licensed real estate agent in the state of Pennsylvania, and a member of the Board of Real- tors. She was also a former member of the Junior League of Wilkes-Barre. Surviving are her fiancée, To- ny Morrash; her children, Lori Bonomo and Brittney Allan; her mother, Mary Sordoni Sekera; her sisters, Toni Rizzo of Dallas; and Roxanne Santey, of Trucks- ville; a brother, Joseph Sekera, of Blue Ridge, Ga.; three nieces, two great-nieces, step-children, Morgan and Tony Morrash Jr. Memorial donations to Sloan- Kettering, Leiomyosarcoma Re- search Foundation/302900, PO Box 5028, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5028. BAER - John R. Jr., 60, of Hun- lock Creek, died on Monday, Ja- nuary 3, 2011, from complica- tions of liver transplant surgery. He was born in Wilkes-Barre and was a graduate of Northwest Area High School and Blooms- burg and Wilkes Universities. He worked at the United Methodist Home for Children in Mechan- icsburg and also taught school for most of his life at Northwest Area High School, retiring in 2005. He was a member of the Twin Cities Lions Club and the Hun- lock Creek United Methodist Church. Surviving are his mother, Do- lores Smith Baer, Hunlock Creek; his wife, the former Su- san Molinaro, Hunlock Creek; son, Shawn, Lancaster; brother, Barry, Hunlock Creek; nieces and nephews. Memorial donations to the Ju- venile Diabetes Research Foun- dation, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter, 225 City Line Ave., Suite #104, Bala Cynwyd (Phila- delphia), PA 19004, or North- west Area Education Associ- ation Scholarship Fund, 243 Thorne Hill Road, Shickshinny, PA 18655. BROWN - Doris M., 88, of 7295 SR 6W, Tunkhannock, for- merly of Black Walnut, died at the Mercy Tyler Hospital in Tunkhannock on Sunday, Janu- ary 2, 2011. She was born in Chemung, N.Y., on November 8, 1922. Growing up in Laceyville, she at- tended the Laceyville High School. She worked and later volunteered at the Tyler Memo- rial Hospital in Tunkhannock for a total of 34 years, retiring from there at 80 years of age. She was very active with the Lower Wyoming County Mercy Tyler Auxiliary. Surviving are six daughters, Mrs. Connie Williams Lippner, Towanda and Lakeland Fla; Mrs. Rebecca Smith, Dallas; Dia- na Schoonover, Black Walnut; Mrs. Laura Lee Baker, Wyalus- ing; Mary Lou Smith, Meshop- pen; and Karen Russick, East Rush; her three sons, Alden, Clapper Hill; Floyd (Tim) III, Auburn Center; and Dennis, Wyalusing; 29 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; nine great- great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Memorial donations to Mercy Tyler Hospital, 880 SR 6W, Tunkhannock, PA. 18657. COSTIGAN - Robert W. “Bud- dy,” 62, of Lake Township, died Wednesday, December 29, 2010, at the Wilkes-Barre General Hos- pital. He was born on December 28, 1948, in Philadelphia, was a graduate of Lake-Lehman High School, class of 1967, and attend- ed King’s College. He was the owner of many local karate schools and was a well-known power-lifting champion. He was a highly-decorated Vietnam War veteran, serving as a combat medic and a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Green Beret Special Forces. He was a recipient of two Purple Hearts and a bronze star. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 967 at Harveys Lake. Surviving are his fiancée, Am- ber Murphy, and her son, Jason, of Lake Township; former wives, Vera Jane Smith, of Harveys Lake; and Karen Davis Costigan, of Wilkes-Barre; daughters, Shannon, of Pittston; Brianne Costigan Winston, of Wilkes- Barre; and Carrie Anne, of Wilkes-Barre; six grandchildren. COVERT - Alma A., 95, of Hunlock Creek, died Sunday, Ja- nuary 2, 2011, at Bonham’s Nurs- ing and Rehabilitation Center, Stillwater. She was born July 31, 1915, in Kingston and resided in the Sweet Valley area all of her life. She graduated from Laketon High School in 1934 and was em- ployed as a seamstress for the garment industry. She was a member of the Bloomingdale United Methodist Church and served as secretary of the Bloomingdale Grange for over 30 years. Surviving are children, Sandra Mitchell, Nanticoke; Judith Wil- liams, Hunlock Creek; and Alan, Hunlock Creek; five grandsons; and nine great-grandchildren. Memorial donations to the Bloomingdale United Methodist Church, 5059 Main Rd., Hun- lock Creek, PA 18621. CRAKE - Barbara, 68, of Sha- vertown, died Wednesday, De- cember 29, 2010, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. She was born on March 26, 1942, in Kingston, was raised in Swoyersville and was a graduate of the former Swoyersville High School, class of 1960. She was a member of Saint Therese Ro- man Catholic Church of Shaver- town. Surviving are her husband, Al- bert, with whom she celebrated her 42nd wedding anniversary on April 27, 2010; her son, Da- vid, of Newark, Del.; her broth- ers, William Sincavage Jr. and Joseph Sincavage, both of Swoyersville; her sister, Alice Brek, of Swoyersville; nieces and nephews. CRAWFORD - Gloria Pinola, of Dallas, died Saturday, January 1, 2011, following a brief stay at the Meadows Center, Dallas. She was born June 28, 1925, in Wilkes-Barre and graduated from Wyoming Seminary Prepar- atory School. She went on to be- come an alumna of Cornell Uni- versity where she majored in So- ciology. She and her late husband, Harry, created a successful mag- ic act, performing professionally as stage illusionists for more than 25 years. Known on stage as Crawford and Gloria, they performed on the East Coast from Boston, Mass. to Miami, Fla., including highlights such as the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C. G She was an active life member of the Harry Crawford Society of American Magicians, Assembly 160, and a longtime member of Magic Gals International. Her service to organizations also included many years in sup- port of King’s College, contin- uing the work of her father, Judge Frank Pinola, who helped secure the charter for the col- lege; the Junior League of Wilkes-Barre, becoming an emeritus member; the Wyoming Seminary Alumni Association; and service on the Board of Lu- zerne County Girl Scouts. She was a member of Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas. Surviving are her daughter, Dr. Carol G. Crawford, Dallas; several cousins. DORANG - Gerald L., of Har- veys Lake, died Friday, Decem- ber 31, 2010, in the Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre. He was born June 18, 1924, in Wilkes-Barre and was a graduate of Meyers High School, class of 1942. He was a U.S. Army veter- an of World War II. He was a member of our Lady of Victory Church, Harveys Lake, the American Legion Post 967 Harveys Lake and also Plas- terers and Cement Masons In- ternational Association Local 592 where he worked for 50 years. He was a foreman at the Berwick Power Plant until his retirement. Surviving are nieces, nephews and extended family. Memorial donations to Mus- cular Dystrophy Association or Our Lady of Victory Church. ELSTON - Wayne R. “Baldy,” 84, of Dallas, died Monday, Janu- ary 3, 2011, at The Village of Greenbriar, Dallas. He was born in Kunkle, Dallas Township, and attended the Dal- las Township schools. Before re- tiring, he was a truck driver for Branch and Roadway trucking companies. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and was a member of the Back Mountain Harvest Assembly Church, Trucksville. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Joan Sutton Elston; sons, the Rev. Wayne R. Jr, Scotia, NY.; and David, Sweet Valley; daughter, Larree Brown, Lake Township; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Memorial donations to Believ- ers Fellowship Center, 304 Swag- gertown Rd., Scotia, NY 12302. JURISTA - Lillian M., of Juris- ta Drive, Tunkhannock, died Saturday, January 1, 2011, in Mercy Tyler Hospital, Tunkhan- nock, after a brief battle with cancer. She was born in South Gib- son, Pa., on May 29, 1929, and was a 1947 graduate of Hartford High School. She was a member of the Church of The Nativity B.V.M., Tunkhannock, and its Al- tar and Rosary Society. For over 50 years, she sold Stanley Home Products. She was a member of American Le- gion Post 457 Ladies Auxiliary. She crocheted over 300 afghans that she presented to the new- born nursery at Barnes Kasson Hospital to be taken home with the parents and the newborn ba- bies. Surviving are her husband of 18 years, George; sons, Michael Goldsmith, Jenningsville; Pa- trick Goldsmith, Sherburne, N.Y; and Edward Goldsmith, Mon- trose; stepsons, George Jurista Jr., Tunkhannock; and Gary Ju- rista, Tunkhannock; daughters, Linda Buffington, Susquehanna; Anne Marie Homza, Simpson; | and Sharon Weidow, Hop Bot- § tom; stepdaughter, Patricia Bar- January 21,22,28,29 7pm January 23,30 2pm Kiss Theatre Co. Wyoming Valley Mall Wilkes Barre Reservations: 829-1901 ou0® Wil Adults $12 Students/Seniors $10 Children under 5$5 EZ tron, Mesa, Ariz.; brothers, Er- nest and Wesley Wilbur, both of Hop Bottom; sisters, Doris Hayes and Alyce Pratt, both of Hallstead; and Mary Jenkins, El- mira, N.Y; 21 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. KNAPKA - Helen, 97, of 204 Old County Road, Benton, died Saturday, December 25, 2010, at the Birchwood Nursing & Reha- bilitation Center, Nanticoke, where she was a patient since August 20, 2010. She was born in Pittston on November 4, 1913, was a 1931 graduate of GAR High School, Wilkes-Barre, and resided in Fairmount Springs since 1939. She was last employed by the former Leslie Fay Inc., Wilkes- Barre, retiring in 1972. She also had been employed earlier in Philadelphia and Newark, N.J. Surviving are four grandchil- dren; five great-grandchildren; a niece; several cousins. Memorial donations to the National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St., New York, NY 10014. LUKETIC - Joseph J., 82, of Noxen, died Friday, December 31, 2010, at Hospice Community Care Inpatient Unit, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. He was born June 12, 1928, in Pittsburgh and had resided in Noxen for the last 60 years. He was a US. Army veteran of the Korean War. He retired as a driver for the Auto Transport and Car Ship- ping Co., Mawah, N.J., after many years of service. He was a member of St. Luke’s Reforma- tion Lutheran Church, Noxen, and as a 32nd degree mason, was a member of the George M. Dallas Lodge No. 531 F. & A.M., and the Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, the former Mariea Traver; children, Dawn Shook, Noxen; Kathy Saba, Kingston; Gayle Patla, Sweet Valley; Joseph Jr., Noxen; Lynette Stonier, Hunlock Creek; and Wallace, Noxen; sev- en grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren; brothers, Tho- mas, Utah; and George, Falls; sister, Ann Chizmar, Pittsburgh. Memorial donations to St. Luke’s Reformation Lutheran Church, 196 Main St., Noxen, PA 18636. Ll ; MATUCH - Lillian E., 97, for- merly of Idetown, died Friday, December 24, 2010, in Palm Har- bor, Fla. i She was born in Union City, N.J. and was a graduate of Wee- hawken, N.J., High School. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Palms, Palm Har- bor. Surviving are two nieces. RADICI - Carol, of Shaver- town, died Monday, January 3, 2011, at home. She was born December 25, Warm & Comtf 1950, in Hanover Township, at- tended Hanover Township schools and was a graduate of Hanover Township Memorial High School. She was employed by Luzerne Optical for nearly 20 years and was a lifelong member of the Ex- altation of the Holy Cross Church, Buttonwood, Hanover Township. Surviving are her mother, Louise (Kuless) Cuprzynski; her husband of 41 years, Thomas; sisters, Louise Rakowski, Nanti- coke; and Barbara Kelechawa, Courtdale; brother, Frank, Korn Krest; nieces and nephews. Me- morial donations to the Amer- ican Cancer Society. ROBERTS - Jean, 86, of Sha- vertown, formerly of Kingston, died Sunday morning, January 2, 2011, at the Keystone Garden Estates, Larksville. She was born in Larksville and graduated from Larksville High School. Surviving are a son, Ronald, Shavertown; eight grandchil- dren; several great-grandchil- dren; a sister, Clora J. Sylvester, Wilkes-Barre; nieces and neph- ews. Memorial donations to the Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 800 Baltimore Dr., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. SEMAN - Marguerite, of Har- ris Hill Road, Trucksville, died Thursday, December 30, 2010, at the Hospice Community Care Inpatient Unit, Wilkes-Barre. She was born in Wilkes-Barre and was a member of St. There- sa’s Church, Shavertown. She was also very active in the church with the Social Service Ministry, assisting with the CCD classes and also cooking for the homebound of the parish. She was a graduate of GAR High School, class of 1961. She was also a 1964 graduate of the Wyoming Valley Hospital School of Nursing, which was the last graduating class for that school. She was employed at the Wyom- ing Valley Hospital for many years as well. Surviving are her husband, Stephen; a daughter, Kelly Ann; sisters, Catherine Rutkowski and Jean Marie Berneski, both of Kingston; nieces and neph- ews. ATM SHEFLER - George S. St, 72; of Noxen, died Tuesday, Decem- ber 28, 2010, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on September 28, 1938, in Beaumont, and at- tended the Beaumont schools. He was employed by Rothstein Construction for many years pri- or to his retirement. Surviving are his daughters, Nancy Zawatski, Sugar Notch; and Martha Davenport, Noxen; sons, George Jr; John, all of Noxen; four grandsons; a great- granddaughter; two brothers, Kenneth, Noxen; and Henry, The Right Dentist Can Make A Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry Exceptional Florida; nieces and nephews. SQUIER - Arthur M., of Vos- burg Road, Tunkhannock, died Saturday, January 1, 2011, in the Golden Living Center in Tunk- hannock. He was born in Russell Hill, Wyoming County, April 20, 1929, was a 1947 graduate of Tunkhannock High School gg was a member of the Fu Farmers of America. He lived and worked on the family farm all of his life. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Holstein Associ- ation and National Holstein As- sociation. Surviving are a brother, Ken- neth B., Sugar Run; sister, Clara Mattocks, Tunkhannock; nieces, nephews, grand-nieces -and grand-nephews. Memorial donations to the Meshoppen Fire Co., P.O. Box 118, Meshoppen, PA 18630. ZOTTE - Joseph A., 65, of Sweet Valley Road, Hunlock Creek, died Monday, January 3, 2011, in the VA Medical Center, New York, N.Y. He was born March 30, 1945, in Summit, N.J., and served in the US. Marine Corps in the Vietnam era. He was a certified residential and commercial elec- trician, having made the dean’s list at Luzerne County Commu- nity College. Surviving are his wife, the for- mer Bonnie Edwards; daughter, Gina Theresa; son, Michael, both of Hunlock Creek; one grandson. 2 CHURCH BRIEFS Jews for Jesus will meet today Jews For Jesus will present Christ in the Feast of Taber- nacles with Shaun Buch- halter at 10:30 a.m. today, Jan. 9 at River Of Life Fellow- ship Ministries, 22 Outlet Rd., Lehman. Call 675-8109 for more information. Admis- sion is free. 5 bos vik lam supper planned “2A ham $tper will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Benton United Methodist Church, Main Street, Benton. The menu includes ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, string bean casserole, pickled cabbage, jello salad, pie or cake, iced team, lem- onade, hot tea or coffee. Cost is $8.50 for adults and $4.50 for children ages 6 to 12. Children age 5 and under are free. Take-outs are a able. * 4 e Difference! 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