Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Frank Joseph Gallik
Frank Joseph Gallik,72, Seelyville died Sunday Nov. 2, 2008 at the Hospice Community
Care, Dunmore with his family present. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, the former
Elizabeth "Betty" A. Walker. The couple were married in St. Mary Magdalene's Church on
February 25, 1961.
Born at the family home in Canaan Twp. on May 9,1936, he was the son of the late John S.
and Sophie Kresock. After graduating from Honesdale High School, Frank later joined the
US Navy during the Korean War and achieved the rank of Ensign 3rd class. In 1959, he
began working at Highhouse Oil Co. where he was a truckdriver for a brief period and
later a dispatcher before retiring after 42 years.
Frank was a former councilman of Prompton Boro and a member of the Prompton Fire Company.
Frank enjoyed playing in many bowling and softball leagues. An avid outdoors man, he
enjoyed ice fishing on the St. Lawrence River with friends. Frank was a member of St.
John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale where he was an usher.
Frank loved his family and loved spending time at the family farm.
Also surviving are his sons Brian and wife Allison of Hawley, Keith and wife Eileen, Todd
and wife Ellen, Scott and wife Sara all of Honesdale; his daughter Laurie Southerton and
husband Dan of Honesdale; his brother John Gallik of Honesdale; sisters Marge Sanchez on
NM, Martha Finn of TN, Sophie Benney of MD, Rose Carson of Steene, Ceil Hanezic of
Yardley, PA, Mary Davitt of Jeffersonville, NY and Adele Mansfield of Honesdale; 8
grandchildren Mason, Chase, Megan Janeen, Marisa, and Jacqueline Gallik and Jim and Tim
Southerton; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sister Ronnie Dalhause and brother Tom Gallik.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 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 Wednesday from 5
to 8 PM.
Agnes Champion
Agnes Champion, 99, formerly of Sidney, NY passed away Sunday, October 26, 2008 at Finger Lakes Center For Living. Born in Honesdale, PA, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Ann Burns Mangan. In earlier days she was employed by Katz Co. in Honesdale and retired in
1987 from Bendix Corp. in Sidney, NY. She was a member of the Rosary Society in Sidney and attended St. Alphonsus Church. She was a member of AFLCIO.
She is survived by a stepson Thomas Champion (Marilyn) of Auburn; a grandson Max Champion (Erin) of Auburn; a granddaughter Laura Engin
(Paul) of Rochester; 6 great grandchildren and by a close friend Joan Enright. She was predeceased by her husband Harold S. Champion and by her brothers Bob, Joe and Tom Mangan and by her sister Rita Mangan.
There are no calling hours. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, October 31 at 9:00AM at St. Alphonsus Church. A graveside service will be Friday at 2 PM will at St. John?s Cemetery, Honesdale, PA.
Local arrangements are being handled by Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale.
Arthur James Bista
Arthur James Bista, 84 of Honesdale and formerly of Larksville died Saturday, October 25, 2008 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was preceded in death by his wife Claire M. Farley Bista who died in 2003.
Born August 28, 1924 at the family home in Newark, NJ, he was the son of the late Emil and Frances Barbara Chmewleska Bista. He was a US Marine Corps veteran who served during WWII in the Pacific Theater.
He was employed by St. Peter's Hospital in East Brunswick, NJ where he was an electrician. After moving to Larksville, PA he was employed by the Holiday Inn until retiring. He and his wife resided in Larksville for 30 years until recently moving to Honesdale where he lived for the past 2 years.
He was a member of St. Vincent DePaul Church in Plymouth and attended St. John the Evangelist Church in Honesdale. He was also a member of the VFW in Larksville.
Surviving is his sister Barbara Giannetti with whom he resided; nieces Diane Henning and husband Peter of Honesdale, Wendy LaVerso of Little Ferry, NJ, Patricia Bennett of Brick, NJ, Carol Goble of Bethlehem, PA; great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Adam and Martin Bista.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at St.
Vincents Cemetery in Plymouth, PA at 11 AM. Arrangements by Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale, PA.
Jane Lois Riefler
Jane Lois Riefler, 75 of Honesdale, died Wednesday, October 22, 2008 CMC in Scranton.
She was preceded in death by her husband William J. Riefler who died in 1997.
Born August 2, 1933 in Honesdale, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Mollie
Weist Hook. A housewife and mother, she was an active member of the Pennsylvania Farmers
Association. Jane was also the director of the "Other Shop" for Wayne Memorial Hospital
in the 1980's. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale and its
Altar and Rosary Society.
Surviving are her sons John Riefler, William Riefler and wife Tammy, Timothy Riefler all
of Honesdale, and Christopher Riefler and wife Melissa of Browndale; a daughter Laurie
Ordnung and husband Bill "Beaver" of Honesdale; sisters Rita Francisco of Beach Lake, Ann
Hook of Honesdale, Helen Cortazzo of Palisades Park, NJ, and Rose Babel of Beach Lake; 10
grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her brother Gerald Hook.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Honesdale at
10 AM. Cremation will follow at Maple Hill Crematory and interment will be in St. Mary's
Cemetery at the families convenience. Friends may visit at the Hessling Funeral Home,
428 Main St. Honesdale on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association, American Heart
Association and American Cancer Society, Wayne Unit.
Ivan L. Houghtaling
Ivan L. Houghtaling, 76 of Honesdale, died unexpectedly Monday, October 20, 2008 at
Wayne Memorial Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, the former Barbara A.
Nielsen. The couple married October 5, 1974.
Born July 14, 1932 at the family home in Manchester Twp., he was the son of the late
Charles and Edna Keesler Houghtaling. He was a US Army veteran and served during the
Korean War. Ivan was a self-employed truck driver and after retiring became a
taxidermist.
An outdoors man, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was the champion of the Wayne
County Tractor Pull with his John Deere tractor. Ivan was known for his dry sense of
humor and enjoyed being with people, especially at the Rileyville Diner.
Also surviving are his sons Eric Houghtaling and wife Jenelle of Lookout and Edward
Lorenzen of Washington, D.C.; daughters Michele Galloway and husband John of Lookout
and Karen Lorenzen of Rileyville; a brother Verne Houghtaling and wife Gladys of Callicoon,
NY; a sister Phyllis Hunter of Harden, TX; grandchildren John Henry and Joshua Galloway,
Meaghan and Rebecca Robbins, and Bailey, Ben and Nathan Houghtaling; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughters Deborah Robbins and Amy Adams; brothers Arnold
and Aaron Houghtaling; and sisters Esther Muth, Madeline Warfield and Aletha Stalker.
Funeral services will be Thursday, October 23, 2008 at Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main
St. Honesdale at 10 AM with Pastor Alice Pedone officiating. Interment will follow in
Pine Mill Cemetery. Friends may visit the funeral home on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8.
Memorial contributions can be made to Pine Mill Community Hall, 919 Pine Mill Rd.
Equinunk, PA 18417 and the Pine Mill United Methodist Church, PO Box 55 Equinunk, PA
18417.
Sylvia Grace Cusumano
Sylvia Grace Cusumano, 87 of Honesdale, died Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at Ellen
Memorial Health Care Center in Honesdale. She was preceded in death by her husband
Joseph Cusumano.
Born July 13, 1921 in Brooklyn, NY she was the daughter and last surviving member of 8
children of the late Joseph and Flora Bamonte Consolmagno. A housewife and mother,
Sylvia worked at a bank as a stenographer. A talented singer, she sang with many big
bands in the 1940's and was also a great seamstress and especially enjoyed making bridal
dolls. Before moving to Honesdale, she was a member of St. Dominick's Church in Brooklyn.
Surviving is her son Steven Allen Cusumano and wife Valerie of Honesdale; grandchildren
Sharleen and husband Craig and Daureen and husband Steven; great grandchildren Andrew,
Matthew, Olivia and Alexis; many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 at St. John the
Evangelist Church in Honesdale at 10 AM. Interment will follow in Indian Orchard
Cemetery. Friends may visit the Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale on Friday
from 2-4 and 6-8.
Memorials can be made to the donor's favorite charity.
James Francis (Weasel) Knash
James Francis (Weasel) Knash, 74 of Honesdale, died unexpectedly at his home on
Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
Born September 4, 1934 in Carbondale, he was the son of the late John Paul and Elizabeth
Zerchak Knash. Jim was a veteran of the United States Air Force. After graduating from
Drexel University in Philadelphia, with a degree in Civil Engineering, he spent many
years gaining experience with a large construction company. With them, he was the head
engineer for large projects such as a mining company plant in Minnesota and the Kinzua
Dam in western Pennsylvania. Jim then opened his own engineering firm in Honesdale where
he had grown up. During these years, he also was the County Engineer for Wayne County.
After he retired from full time engineering, he spent most of his time on his favorite
past times of gardening, cooking and bird watching which included surveys of our area
birds for Cornell University.
Surviving is his wife, Judith; his son Christopher Knash and wife Cathy of Honesdale; a
daughter, Laurie O'Halla and husband Brad of Houston, TX and a son Stephen Knash and wife
Cassandra of Honesdale; brothers Robert and John (Grower) Knash of Honesdale; sisters
Marion Kimble and husband Don of Newton, NJ, Margaret Kelly and husband Robert of CT,
Carolyn Reinhart and husband Montgomery (Monty) of Chalfont, PA, Elizabeth Carmody and
husband Steve of Honesdale; grandchildren, Jacob, Samantha and Jacqueline Knash of
Honesdale, Alex and Elsie O'Halla of Houston, TX and Calina, Shawn and Taylor Knash of
Honesdale.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen (Mrs. Joseph McGinnis) and a grandson Ryan.
Friends may visit at the Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale on Saturday, Oct.
11, 2008 from 1-4 PM. Private funeral services will be held at the families convenience.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Dessin Animal Shelter, 138 Miller Rd.,
Honesdale, PA 18431.
Lois J. Hiscock
Lois J. Hiscock, 82 of Stanhope, NJ, died Monday October 6, 2008 at Morristown Memorial
Hospital in Morristown, NJ. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, William Hiscock.
Born March 28, 1926 at the family home in Oregon Twp. in Wayne County she was the
daughter of the late Lester J. and Edna M. Brill Colwill. A housewife and mother, she
and her husband resided in New Jersey for 51 years. Lois enjoyed gardening and traveling
especially to Newfoundland, Canada and Florida. She loved spending time with her family,
especially her grandchildren and great grandson. She will be sincerely missed by all
whose lives she touched.
Also surviving is her daughter Gail Carpenter and husband Jeff of Reeders, PA; son-in-law
David Sutton of Branchville, NJ; sisters Alberta Barbour of Lake Hopatcong, NJ and Greta
Vanderburgh of Honesdale, PA; grandchildren Heather Gessling, Jeff Carpenter Jr., and
William Carpenter; great grandson Christopher Gessling Jr.; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Bonnie Sutton and her sister Juanita Schook.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 10, 2008 at Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main
St. Honesdale, PA at 11 AM with Rev. Lloyd Canfield officiating. Interment will follow
in Smith Hill Cemetery in Oregon Twp.. Firends may visit the funeral home on Thursday
from 6-8.
Memorial contributions can be made to Smith Hill Church.
Robert D. Martin Sr.
Robert D. Martin Sr., 82 of Honesdale, died Sunday, October 5, 2008 at his home. He is
survived by his wife of 56 years, Frieda A. Hessberger. The couple married August 8,
1952.
Born September 29, 1926 in Honesdale, he was the son of the late Daniel and Gertrude
Sonner Martin. He was a US Navy Veteran who served in WWII and during the Korean
Conflict. Before retiring he worked for PP&L for 39 years as a foreman. Bob was a member
of the VFW Hogencamp Schupper Post 531 and the American Legion. He was a 50 year member
of Masons, Masonic Lodge #218. The light of his life were his granddaughters Josilyn and
Karli Martin.
Also surviving are his sons Robert Martin Jr. and wife Karen of Honesdale and Daniel
Martin of Kentucky; his brother Frank Martin and wife Alice of Lake Ariel; sisters
Virginia Herzog and husband George of Honesdale and Esther Griemsman of North Carolina; 6
grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 at Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main
St. Honesdale at 11 AM with Pastor Mary Bryant of Cold Spring Chapel officiating.
Interment will follow in Indian Orchard Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home
on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9.
Memorial contributions can be made to the donor's favorite charity.
John Anthony Doherty
John Anthony Doherty, 61 of Hawley, died Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at Wayne Memorial
Hospital in Honesdale.
Born January 27, 1947 he was the son of the late Bernard and Florence Doherty. He was a
graduate of Clifton High School in Clifton, NJ. John was a US Army veteran who served
during the Vietnam War where he earned three Purple Heart medals.
John was disabled in an accident and since spent a lot of time walking and making friends
which he really enjoyed. He is a past member of the Brannen-van den Berg VFW Post 8645
in New Paltz, NY.
He is survived by his son Jad T. Doherty of Honolulu, HI; his daughter Brooke L. Doherty
of Honesdale; his ex-wife and friend Sue Barnes and husband Arthur C. of Barryville, NY;
friend and caretaker Frank Getz of Hawley; sister Alice Doherty; and many other friends
that cared for John.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Cremation was held at Maple Hill
Crematory in Archbald. Arrangements by Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale, PA.
George Gustav Wiek
George Gustav Wiek,64 of White Mills, died Sunday, September 28, 2008 at Wayne Memorial
Hospital after a brief illness.
Born May 3, 1944 in Honesdale, he was the son of the late Gustav and Mabel Kellerman
Wiek. George was a painter and worked for several painting businesses in the area and
most recently worked for Jim Gumble Tree Service.
A big baseball fan he enjoyed following the New York Mets. He also enjoyed reading,
gardening and although he did not have a dog he loved them and was always willing to help
a stray dog. George will be remembered as a very sociable person and enjoyed being with
his friends.
Surviving is his son Jamie Wiek and daughter Amanda Wiek; his sister Janet Olver and
husband Craig; and niece Tara Olver.
A memorial service will be held at Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale on
Thursday evening at 7:30 with Rev. Ryan Kraus, Pastor of the Bethany Presbyterian Church
officiating. The family will reveive friends from 6:30 to service time on Thursday.
Cremation was held at Maple Hill at Salem Crematory in Archbald.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Dessin Animal Shelter, 138
Miller Rd., Honesdale, PA 18431.
