Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
James Bunnell
James Bunnell of Honesdale, died in the company of his family on Saturday evening,
January 3, 2009 at Ellen Memorial Healthcare Center in Honesdale after a 22 month battle
with cancer.
Born on September 26, 1950 Jim was the son of the late Kenneth M. and Betty E. Theis
Bunnell of Honesdale. In addition to his wife of two years, Cindy L. Mathena Bunnell, he
is survived by a daughter, Colleen Zerebak and granddaughter Sarah Zerebak, both of
Honesdale; two sisters, Marilynn Dee Jaggars and husband John of Honesdale and Susan J.
Graziadio and husband Mark of White Mills; a step daughter Tanya Evarts and husband
Frank; a sister-in-law Mary Wilson and husband Stephen, of Tunkhannock; brother-in-law
Donald Mathena Jr., Seymour Tennessee, Father-in-law Donald Mathena and wife Margaret of Seymour Tennessee; nieces, nephews and Leslie Nemeth a family member.
A loving husband, he worked at McDonald's of Honesdale prior to his illness.
Jim was an Eagle Scout, a Girl Scout Leader, a volunteer at Wayne Memorial Hospital, a
conductor for the Stourbridge Line Rail Excursions and a member of the Central United
Methodist Church, in Honesdale. He enjoyed camping and decorating for holidays.
Friends may call between 4:00 and 7:00 Pm on Wednesday in the Wesley Room of the Central United Methodist Church in Honesdale. The Funeral Service will be held there on Thursday
at 10:30 Am, followed by a private graveside service and interment at the Glen Dyberry
Cemetery. Arrangements are through the Hessling Funeral Home, Honesdale.
Memorial Contributions be made to the Central United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 205 11th Street, Honesdale PA 18431.
Norman V. Meszler
Norman V. Meszler, 86 formerly of White Mills, died Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at
Carbondale Nursing Home, where he resided. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, the
former Margaret E. Coliskey.
Born, July 14, 1922 in White Mills, he was the son of the late Andrew and Susie Fonda
Meszler. He was a decorated Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and served in Europe.
During his service he was awarded the E.T.O. ribbon with three battle stars, the Air
Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Good Conduct
Medal. He was a member of the White Mills Volunteer Fire Company and of St. Joseph's
Parish in White Mills. He was a retired auto mechanic who enjoyed hunting and fishing.
His family would like to thank Dr. Bekele for the excellent care he gave their Father.
The family is also deeply grateful to the Carbondale Nursing Home and its entire staff
for the excellent care he received during his time there.
Also surviving is his son Philip A. Meszler of Hawley; daughters Rosann E. Altier and
husband Tony of Honesdale, Maggie M. Meszler and Barbara Meszler both of Hawley; two
nieces and a nephew.
He was preceded in death by a sister Elizabeth Udell.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 9 AM from the Hessling Funeral Home, 428
Main St. Honesdale with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Joseph's Church in
White Mills. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Cemetery in Hawley. Friends may
visit the funeral home on Friday from 5 to 8.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the White Mills Vol. Fire Co.,
PO Box 273, White Mills, PA 18473 or the Dessin Animal Shelter, 138 Miller Dr.,
Honesdale, PA 18431.
Ruth E. Simons
Ruth E. Simons, 84 of Honesdale, died Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Bethany Village after an illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, former Wayne County Commissioner, Earl J. Simons on May 19, 1994.
Born October 29, 1924 in Honesdale, she was the daughter of the late Harland and Marion Conbeer Jackson and was a graduate of Honesdale High School, class of 1942. She was a former employee of Sandercock's Dairy and Katz's Department Store. Ruth was an active member of the Bethany United Methodist Church.
A kind and loving mother, aunt, grandmother and neighbor, she loved her family gatherings as well as her neighbors and neighborhood block parties.
Surviving is her son Robert E. Simons and wife Ann Marie of Beach Lake; a granddaughter Bridget; a sister Carolyn Bond of Columbia, SC; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a brother Walter Jackson and sister Dorothy Blake.
The funeral will be Wednesday at the Bethany United Methodist Church at 10 AM with Pastor Val Rommel officiating. Interment will follow in Glen Dyberry Cemetery. Friends may visit the Hessling Funeral Home,
428 Main St. Honesdale on Tuesday from 4 to 8.
Memorials can be made to the Bethany United Methodist Church, 3 Court St., Bethany, PA 18431 or to the Earl J. Simons Senior Center, 323 10th St. Honesdale, PA 18431.
Harry George Oswald
Harry George Oswald, 96 of Honesdale, PA died December 27, 2008 at Ellen Memorial Health
Care Center in Honesdale. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Lucy Rebecca
Sassaman who died in 2006.
Born January 21, 1912 in Charleston, WV, he was the son of the late Otto and Minnie
Landon Oswald and was a graduate of Lyndhurst High School, class of 1929. For 30 years,
he was employed as a freight expediter for Humble Oil (Exxon Mobil) in New York City.
Before moving to Honesdale, Harry lived in Lyndhurst, NJ and recently at Bristol Glen in
Newton, NJ.
Harry enjoyed playing tennis and was the Lyndhurst Tennis Champion for many years. An
athelete, he also enjoyed bicycling, playing handball and chess. He was a member of St.
Thomas Episcopal Church in Lyndhurst, NJ.
Surviving is his son Lawrence Oswald and wife Maryanne of Coventry, CT; his daughter
Lucille Verola and husband Joseph of Honesdale; grandchildren Jodi Verola and Laurie
Harrington of Honesdale, Mark Verola of Waymart, Cassandra Oswald of Columbia, CT, and
Michael Loroz of Cheney, WA; 3 great granddaughters.
As per his request, no funeral ceremonies will be held. Arrangements by Hessling Funeral
Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale, PA 18431.
Memorial donations can be made to Ellen Memorial Health Care Center, 23 Ellen Memorial
Ln., Honesdale, PA 18431.
Margaret M. "Peggie" Bailey
Margaret M. "Peggie" Bailey, 83 of Honesdale, died December 25, 2008 at Ellen Memorial
Health Care Center in Honesdale and joined her grandson Shawn P. Henderson in Heaven who
died in 1987. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Windsor L. Bailey of Honesdale.
Born June 2, 1925 in Honesdale, she was the daughter of the late Richard A. and Mary
McGraw Linke. After graduating from high school, she worked at Western Union in
Honesdale before having the first set of triplets to be born in Honesdale. She always
felt blessed that she had her healthy triplet boys for conditions of that time period.
Later she worked in the Wayne Highlands School District cafeteria's. She worked at
different times at the Middle School, High School, Lincoln School and most recently
before taking ill at the Stourbridge Primary School. Peggie truly loved her job feeding
and taking care of the school children. She enjoyed gardening, watching birds and had
her own "sanctuary" in her backyard. She also loved her cat Angel.
Peggie was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale and participated
faithfully in its Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel since its inception in 1990.
Also surviving are her triplet sons Richard M. of Archbald, Wynn J. and wife Kathy of
Bradenton, FL and Peter J. and wife Barbara of Carbondale; daughters Suzanne Watt and
husband Paul of Tamarac, FL and Michele Bailey of Honesdale; grandchildren Melissa Bilski
and husband Bill, Cheryl Bailey, Alison Bond and husband Robert, Erin Wilson and husband
Ryan, Debbie Bailey, Jackie Bailey, Shannon Watt, Brittney Watt, Carlie , Patrick and Ian
Mowatt and Kelly Dyser; great grandchildren Robert and Addison Bond and Brooke and Alexis
Bilski.
She was preceded in death by her grandson Shawn Henderson and brother Richard J. Linke.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 AM at St. Mary Magdalen
Church in Honesdale. The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 at church prior to
Mass. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery in Honesdale.
Robert L. Menotti
Robert L. Menotti, 75 of Honesdale and Sebring, FL died Monday, December 22, 2008 at his
home after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, the former Angela
Doherty. The couple married April 7, 1956.
Born April 3, 1933 in Honesdale, he was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret Gumpper
Menotti. He was a graduate of Hawley High School, class of 1950 and later joined the US
Army where he served during the Korean War. Before retiring, Bob was a skilled Heavy
Equipment Operator. Bob was a life member of the Alert Fire Co., the American Legion in
Hawley, and the Moose International Club, Lodge 2259 in Sebring, FL. He was a member of
the former Honesdale Booster Club and one of the original builders of the Honesdale
Football Field. He also was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale and
was active in its Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel. The light of his life were his
children and grandchildren.
Also surviving are his sons Robert J. and wife Debbie of Honesdale, Terrance P. and wife
Sandra of Cherry Ridge, John R. and wife Sue of Hawley and Martin W. and wife Kathy of
Honesdale; a brother Richard of Kissimmee, FL; sisters Patricia Strasser and Joan Beilman
both of Hawley; grandchildren Adore, Nick, Dustin, Jeremy, Janette, Christina, Dominick,
and Alison; 5 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter Julianna and a sister Gail.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at St. Mary Magdalen Church at 10
AM. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may visit the Hessling
Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place,
Memphis, TN 38105-1942.
Ruth Sailer
Ruth Sailer, 80, of Lake Ariel, died Thursday morning, December 18,
2008, at Moses Taylor Hospital, following an illness. Born April 16,
1928 in Philadelphia, she was preceded in death by her parents, Hans
and Martha Sailer, and step-parents, Hans and Mary Krempasky Budinger.
Ruth was employed as a parts assembler at the vocational training
center division of the Human Resource Center, Inc. located in Beach
Lake. Ruth enjoyed socializing with her friends and especially with
her friend Joe. She also enjoyed going to the beauty salon and
watching T.V. Land on television. Ruth looked forward to attending
church every Sunday at Hamlin Assembly of God Church.
Since 2001, Ruth resided with Marian and Carl Rose of Lake Ariel, as
part of Human Resource Center's Life Sharing Program. Ruth became as
special member of the Rose family. She enjoyed when the extended
family came to visit and share in a meal. Ruth especially enjoyed the
Rose's grandchildren's birthday parties and other such family events.
She will be greatly missed by Marian and Carl, their daughter Cheryl
Peifer and her husband Randy, children Abby and Hannah, and their son,
Carl Rose and his wife Denise, and their children, Makayla, Makenzie,
and Cayden. Also surviving is her adopted family, Emily Richter of
Honesdale, Marge Syrylo of Philadephia, Ann Sak of New Jersey, Joseph
and Andrew Krempasky both of Honesdale.
She was also preceded by Helen Zyats and Martin Krempasky.
Friends may call Monday from 10:00-11:00 at Hessling Funeral Home,
Honesdale. The funeral will follow at 11:00 with services by Rev.
Gordon White. Interment will be at the families convenience.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Human Resource Center, 294
Bethel School Rd. Honesdale, PA 18431.
Hannelore "Honey" Guinther
Hannelore "Honey" Guinther, 68 of Honesdale, died Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at Mercy Hospital Hospice Unit. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Joseph M. Guinther. The couple married July 3, 1962 at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Honesdale.
Born April 3, 1940 in Stuttgart, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Dionys and Maria Lenz Volz. A housewife and loving mother, she also worked at Katz Underwear Co.. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed spending time with her grandson Jacob, the love of her life. Honey was grateful and cared for her extended family at Honesdale Dialysis Center. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale.
Also surviving is her daughter Lorie Smith and husband Russell of Honesdale; her grandson Jacob; and three sisters in Germany. She was preceded in death by her son Stephen in 1980. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Honesdale.
The family will receive friends prior to the services at church from 9 to 10. Interment of cremated remains will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Mercy Hospice, 746 Jefferson Ave. Scranton, PA 18501.
Charles Frederick Garrett
Charles Frederick Garrett, 87 of Honesdale, died Tuesday, December 9,
2008 at Wayne Woodlands Manor in Waymart. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, the former Marie E. Belknap. The couple married July 2, 1949.
Born April 19, 1921 in White Mills, he was the son of the late William and Helen Weist Garrett. He was a US Army veteran who served during WWII at Camp Gruber, OK in the Army Medical Corp for over 3 years.
After returning he worked at Banner Shoe Factory and then retired from Amber Lingerie.
Charles was a great musician and entertainer and played his combo organ for weddings, parties and banquets since the 1940's. He was a great outdoors man who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale.
Also surviving is his son Charles and wife Cindy of Owego, NY; a brother Franklin DeReamer of Honesdale; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brother William Garrett Jr., sisters Edna Bried and Elizabeth Hatler.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Honesdale. Interment will follow in St.
Mary's Cemetery. Friends may visit the Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale on Friday from 6-8.
Memorials can be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., PO Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720.
William E. Nolan
William E. Nolan, 82 of White Mills and formerly of East Brunswick, NJ and Sayreville, NJ, died Friday, December 5, 2008 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, the former Helen T. Stark.
Born December 4, 1926 in Rochester, NY he was the son of the late Michael and Mildred Nolan Thompson. He was raised at St. Mary's Home for Boy's in Rochester until the age of 14 and then lived in foster homes. At age 17, he enlisted in the US Navy and served
during World War II in the Pacific Theater and Alaska. He was a life time member of the VFW Post 133 in East Brunswick, NJ.
In 1951 Bill received a degree in accounting from Long Island University. Later he
became interested in politics and was elected Town Clerk of East Brunswick, NJ. In 1988,
he retired from J.T.P.A. as the Executive Director and moved to White Mills, PA.
Bill was a member of the Friendly sons of the Shillelagh Bag Pipe Band in Old Bridge,
NJ. A devoted Catholic and parishioner, he was a member of St. Joseph Church in White
Mills.
He and his wife enjoyed a wonderful life together with many blessings.
Also surviving are his sons Michael and wife Nancy of Andover, MN and Mark and wife
Pamela of Bath, PA; daughters Aleta and husband Jan Grodzki of Robbinsville, NJ,
Veronica and husband James Cairns of East Brunswick, NJ, and Patricia and husband
Christopher Germain of Monmouth Junction, NJ; a step-son Richard Mathers of Taylor, PA;
step- daughters Karen and husband Steve Alikas of Hawley, Cheryl Bergamini of Old Bridge,
NJ and Maryann and husband Robert Kittle of Jackson, NJ; 16 grandchildren; 17 great
grandchildren; sisters Noreen Mady of Melbourne, FL and Catherine Sleeman of Webster, NY;
nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a step-son Timothy Mathers in 1986.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church in White Mills on
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008 at 10 AM. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Cemetery in
Hawley. Friends may visit the Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale, PA on
Monday from 2-4 and 7-9.
Memorial contributions can be made to sisters of St. Joseph's, 150 French Rd., Rochester,
NY 14618-3822.
