Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Diane Carolyn Kennedy
Diane Carolyn Kennedy, 62 of Honesdale, died Thursday, March 24, 2011 at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce Kennedy on October 3, 2003. Born, December 22, 1948 in Honesdale, she was the daughter of the late Albert B. and Mildred Johannes Swartz. Diane worked at Elegante Restaurant and Pizzeria where she was a cook. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale, attending St. Mary Magdalen Church. She was known to enjoy cutting firewood and was always on the look out to find where she could get more to help keep her home warm. She also enjoyed going out with the girls on Wednesday's. Surviving is her son Paul Kennedy of Honesdale; her brother Gary Swartz Sr. and wife Anne of Honesdale, her nephews Gary Swartz Jr. and fiancée Tiffany Larocque and Deaver Swartz and fiancée Toniann Sheehan all of Honesdale. As per her request, cremation will be held at Maple Hill at Salem Crematory in Archbald. A blessing service will be held on Tuesday at Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale at 6:30. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7.
Ruth Ann (Mullen) Malti
Ruth Ann (Mullen) Malti, age 60 of Hawley passed away on Thursday March 24, 2011 at Community Medical Center in Scranton due to head injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident on March 22, 2011. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Ronald Malti. Born July 17, 1950 in Honesdale, she is the daughter of Ruth Oliver Mullen Loomis of Honesdale and the late Francis Mullen. She grew up in Honesdale and lived in the Honesdale/Hawley area her entire life. She graduated from Honesdale High School in 1969. She was a healthy, vibrant woman who enjoyed life. Spending time with her family and friends was very important to her. She is also survived by children Christina Olear of Doylestown, John Malti and wife Nicole Malti of Hawley, and Amy Malti of Honesdale. She has three biological grandchildren, Victor Olear, age 12, Nicholas Olear, age 9, and Jenna Malti, age 2. She was a spiritual, kind soul who always took the time to talk to others. She enjoyed working with tenants and shopping. Her generosity was shown through her actions as she enjoyed showering her family with gifts, especially her grandchildren. The funeral service was held on Tuesday at Queen of Peace Church in Hawley. She was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Honesdale. The family wishes to thank everyone for the generous outpouring of love, support, and prayers.
Mae Florence Firmstone
Mae Florence Firmstone, 93 of Honesdale, died March 26, 2011 at Bethany Village, where she had been a resident for the past three years. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert L. Firmstone on April 23, 2008. The couple married on January 1, 1944. Born October 22, 1918 in Lakeville, PA she was the daughter of the late Jesse and Harriet Lemfert Davis. Mae worked at Banner Slipper Co. for over 30 years, where she was a seamstress. Mae loved spending time with her family, playing cards, and listening to country music. She will be greatly missed by her family. She is survived by her daughters, Judith Ann Haney of Woodledge Village, Hawley and Sharon Lee Meszler and husband Rembert of Honesdale; a son Roger Firmstone and wife Cathy of Honesdale; 5 grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. Private funeral services with interment in Indian Orchard Cemetery will be held at the family’s convenience. Arrangements by Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale. Memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org or Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Dr. Wilkes Barre, PA 18702.
Arthur L. Paynter
Arthur L. Paynter, 74, of White Mills died April 1,2011 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, the late Harriet Jean Parsons, who passed away July 24,2005. Born in Honesdale, PA he was the son of the Late Howard and Grace Stegner Paynter. Arthur was a self-employed landscaper until he retired. He is survived by a sister, Violet Rapone and husband Robert of White Mills, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and his faithful dog, Peanut. Services will be held at Hessling Funeral Home 428 Main St. Honesdale, PA on Tuesday April 5,2011 at 11am. Conducting the service will be Val Rommell of the Bethany United Methodist Church. Friends may visit on Monday April 4,2011 from 5 to 8. Interment will be at Clinton Center Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to Dessin Animal Shelter; 138 Miller Dr. Honesdale, PA 18431.
David Wendell Gelatt
David Wendell Gelatt, Senior, of Honesdale, went to be with Lord Tuesday afternoon, April 5, 2011. He passed away peacefully at home with his family present. His wife, the late Esther Pennay, died August 7, 1999. Born February 21, 1927 in North Jackson, PA, son of the late Ralph D. and Ethel Conrad Gelatt of North Jackson, PA. He was a 1945 graduate of New Milford High School. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific theater and formally worked as an artificial inseminator for Northeastern Breeders Association and then Sire Power. He later retired as a custodian from Wayne Highlands School District. He was a member of the Tabernacle Bible Church, the former Honesdale Gospel Tabernacle and was very proud of his re-baptism by submersion in 2007. He was a lifetime member of Honesdale Fire Department #3 and the Marine Corps League. He was an avid antique car buff and was frequently seen in former years driving his Model T Ford around town. Surviving are his son, David Junior and Tina (Klinkiewicz) of Honesdale, daughter Kathleen Milenkowic of Brookeville, Maryland, and daughter Diane and Jan Gibbons of Hawley, PA. Also are 9 grandchildren, Eric (and wife Tracie), Marissa, Lauren, Karly, and Kristy Gelatt, Marko and Marlena Milenkowic, and Chelsea and Kiley Gibbons; two great grandchildren, Cody and Evan Gelatt; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Walter, Milton, and Charles Gelatt, and Esther Davis. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 10:30, at Tabernacle Bible Church 455 Grove Street, Honesdale with burial following at Gelatt Cemetery in Gelatt, PA. Friends may call Friday evening, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main Street, Honesdale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hospice of the Sacred Heart or Tabernacle Bible Church.
Alexander A. Nielsen
Alexander A. Nielsen, 88 of Edgewood, KY and formerly of Honesdale, died Monday, April 4, 2011 at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Clare Noble who died September 21, 1997. The couple married September 29, 1946. Born October 3, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY he was the son of the late Alexander and Grace Reeves Nielsen. He was a US Navy veteran who served in the Philippines during World War II. Later he worked for the New York City Transit Authority, driving buses in Brooklyn. After retiring, he moved to Honesdale where he worked at CVS. Al loved cars and remembered people by the cars that they drove. Surviving are his children Barbara Houghtaling of Honesdale, Dorothy Sawicki and husband Larry of Independence, KY, John Nielsen and wife Mary of The Woodlands, TX, Richard Nielsen and wife Monica of Galway, Ireland; grandchildren Edward Lorenzen of Washington D.C., Karen Lorenzen of Honesdale, Steven Sawicki and wife Kim of Mahpac, NJ, Lynn Sawicki of Cincinatti, OH, Keith Nielsen and wife Katrina of Houston, TX, John Nielsen and wife Trish of East Windsor, NJ, Christina Nielsen of Austin, TX and Robert Nielsen and wife Emily of Galway, Ireland and three great grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at St. John the Evangelist Church in Honesdale at 10 am. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may visit at Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale on Sunday from 2 to 5.
Roger Lee Adams
Roger Lee Adams, beloved son, brother, uncle, passed away peacefully at his parents house in Honesdale on Monday, April 18, 2011. Born June 17, 1951 in Queens, NY he is the son of Earl D. and Margaret Louise Leymann Adams of Honesdale. Roger was a proud US Navy veteran of Vietnam where he served on the USS Courtney. He was a gentle soul who loved painting, poetry and music, with a special fondness for Bob Dylan and CSNY. Roger will be greatly missed by his family; his brother Chris; his sisters Laurie, Cindy, and Doreen; his nieces and nephews, GB, Carmine, Gloria, Patrick, Kimberly, Ashleigh, Peter, RJ and Katie and his great nephew Austin. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Pancoast, Sister Ruth, Dr. Getts, the staff at Moses Taylor Chronic Dialysis Unit, Diane Popovich, RN and the staff of Wayne Memorial Hospice. As per his request, cremation was held at Maple Hill at Salem Crematory in Archbald. Arrangements by Hessling Funeral Home, Honesdale, PA and Memorial contributions can be made to Wayne Memorial Hospital, Hospice Unit, 601 Park St. Honesdale, PA 18431 or Scranton Temple Health Center, 640 Madison Ave. Scranton, PA 18510.
Leonard , Bobonis . Obituary
Leonard A. Bobonis, 79 of Honesdale, died Thursday, May 5, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Scranton. He is survived by his wife, Joan Gelaszus Bobonis. Born March 7, 1932 in Scranton, he was the son of the late Andrew and Amelia Bobonis. After graduating high school, Len earned degrees in engineering from the University of Scranton and Brooklyn Poly-Tech. Before retiring, he worked at the Naval Base in Lakehurst, NJ where he was an engineer. Prior to moving to Honesdale, he and his wife resided in Cranbury, NJ. He attended St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale. Len was a creator; a builder of model trains, model cars and grandfather clocks. He loved working in his yard. He loved a nice restaurant and a good meal, be it a steak or a Coney Island Texas Weiner. He loved cars; a long drive or watching an Indy race. He loved books and knowledge, classical music or a polka. Len respected goodness in people and genuine integrity and that was reflected in how he lived his life. Most of all though, he loved his family. His family would like to extend a special thank you to the medical doctors and staff at Wayne Memorial Hospital; to Dr. Peterson, our family doctor; as well as to Wayne Woodlands Manor in Waymart for their care of Len. He is also survived by his daughter Lisa Bobonis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Honesdale at 10 AM. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Throop. Friends may visit Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale on Monday from 5 to 8. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave. Scranton, PA 18509 or online at www.stjosephscenter.org.
Jean Mackenzie Rickard
Jean Mackenzie Rickard, Cherry Ridge, died early Sunday morning at her family farm outside Honesdale. She was 90 years old. Born September 20, 1920, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Robert L. Mackenzie and Lucie R. Robinson. She was an executive secretary at the Ortho Pharmaceutical Company when she was introduced to her future husband Louis F. Rickard on an outing in Pike County in the late 1940's. They married on March 18, 1949, and after commuting to work in New Jersey for several years, Mrs. Rickard left Ortho to help manage the six-generation family dairy farm, including the well-known Rickard's Cider Mill. She relished in raising her hard-working family. She was educated in New Jersey and attended business school after graduating from Elizabeth, New Jersey, High School. In addition to her husband of 62 years, Louis Foster Rickard, she is also survived by three sons, Louis F. Rickard, Jr., Moscow, and Robert B. ?Bert? Rickard and Richard W. Rickard, Honesdale, two daughters, Susan R. Henry, Beach Lake, and Nancy R. Kinsman, Honesdale, 11 grandchildren, and one great grandchild, Dylan Louis McDonough. Four of her grandchildren carry her name and that of her family: Casey Jean Kinsman, Lucie F. Henry, Dorie Jean Henry, and MacKenzie S. Henry. Other surviving grandchildren include Brendan McDonough, Boston, Massachusetts; Jason D. Rickard, Christopher R. Rickard, Malena S. Kinsman, Robert G. Kinsman, Dale Rickard and Cheyenne Rickard, all of Honesdale. She was predeceased by her brother Robert Mackenzie, North Carolina. She was very proud of her transformation from executive secretary to farmer's wife, raising a family, instilling in them the value of hard work and education, and helping work and run the family farm. Her first ambition and primary goal in life was to her family. In tribute to their mother's dedication, all of her children remained and worked in the immediate area. She was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Honesdale. The Rickard Family will receive friends at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 107 Seventh Street, Honesdale, Thursday, May 12, 2011, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with the funeral service at the church immediately thereafter. The Reverend Kenneth Buckwalter will officiate. Interment at Darling Cemetery, Cherry Ridge, overlooking the family farm. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Honesdale.
Donald W. (Buck) Seagraves Sr.
Memorial Services will be held today for Donald W. (Buck) Seagraves Sr., Edgewater, FL, formerly of Newfoundland and Philadelphia, who died Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004, in Bert Fish Medical Center, New Smyrna Beach, FL. He is survived by his wife Regina (Jean) Cavanaugh Seagraves.
Mr. Seagraves, Sr., was a Veteran of the Korean War were he served as a Field Medic in Germany and was of the Lutheran Faith. He was a member of Salem Lodge #330; F & AM, Hamlin; Post 274 American Legion, Gouldsboro; and VFW Post 5207, Daleville.
Surviving are four sons Joseph M., Tannersville; Timothy J., Moscow; Michael P., Newfoundland; and Mark E., Newfoundland. Eleven grandchildren and a great grandson. He was preceded in death by a son Donald W. Jr.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Newfoundland Area Public Library Building Fund, PO Box 214, Newfoundland, PA 18445.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 9, 11 am, in the Arthur J. Frey Funeral Home, Rt. 191 Village of LeAnna, South Sterling. The Rev. Steve Belensky will officiate. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, South Sterling. Friends may call today from 2 pm - 4 pm and 7 pm - 9 pm, at the Funeral Home.
Arrangements by the Arthur J. Frey Funeral Home, Rt. 191, Village of LeAnna, South Sterling.
Jack Lee Evans
Memorial Services were held Tuesday Dec. 7, 2004 for Jack Lee Evans, 72, Paupackan Lake Estates, Hawley, formerly of Dublin, PA, who died unexpectedly on Saturday Dec 4, 2004, at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale. He is survived by his wife of 37 years Dorothy I. (Baxter) Evans.
Mr. Evans was born in Newark, OH, and was one of 15 children. He was the son of the late Bryant Jennings Evans and Anna Moran Evans. Mr. Evans was in the Army for four years during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Evans owned and operated the Dublin Diner for 20 years and was a Vice-President and Board Member of Paupackan Lake Association, former President and Councilman in Dublin Borough, Lions Club member, served as a policeman in Dublin, an avid computer hobbyist and attended the Salem Reform Church.
He is survived by two daughters Kimberly Evans, Florida and Jacquelin Parece, Florida; a stepson George Wiley, Quakertown; two sisters Virginia Evans, Ohio, and Sharon Roberts, Ohio; a brother Robert Evans, Ohio; two grandsons, three granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.
Arrangements made by Teeters Funeral Chapel, 505 Church St., Hawley, PA 18428.
Brenda (Tek) Laabs Davis
Memorial Services will be held Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 for Brenda (Tek) Laabs Davis, 65, of Long Ridge Road, Hawley, who died Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004 at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale. She is predeceased by her husband Albert Davis.
Mrs. Laabs Davis was born in Bronx, NY and was the daughter of William R. Tek and the late Anne Salak Tek. She worked at Watson's Deli in White Mills and was affiliated with St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hawley.
She is survived by a sister Melanie Tek, Greentown. Her Father William Tek, Waymart and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her first husband Ronald Laabs, her second husband Albert Davis and her companion John Wajert.
Friends may visit Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005, from 10 am - 11 am, at Teeters' East Chapel, 505 Church St., Hawley. Memorial Services will be at Teeters' East Chapel, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005, 11 am, and officiated by Rev. David Heckler Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Dessin Animal Shelter, Honesdale, PA 18431.
Arrangements made by Teeters Funeral Chapel, 505 Church St., Hawley, PA 18428.
Violet Lillie DelPalazzo (nee DeCesaris)
Memorial services will be held today for Violet Lillie DelPalazzo (nee DeCesaris), age 87, formerly of Haddon township and Marlton, NJ, who died Monday, Jan. 3, 2005 in Sanford, NC. She was predeceased by her husband Gabriel.
She was a loving mother, a devoted grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was secretary of the W. Collingswood Civic Association and of the sons of Italy Lodge 2315 of Marlton while living in New Jersey.
Surviving are: Paul and his wife Betty of McHenry, IL; Anita Kretchik, Hawley; Loretta, Bettona, Italy; Lucille Zane and her husband, David of Moncure, NC. Six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Jan. 8, at 10:30 am, at St. Joan of Arc Church, Marlton, NJ, and will be officiated by Rev. William B. Healey and Rev. Msgr. Armand Pedata. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations in Lillie's name to the Community Hospice, 110 Fields Drive, Sanford, NC 27330.
Anthony J. "Tony" Zazzarino
Memorial Services were held for Anthony J. "Tony" Zazzarino, 77, Mill Rift, who died Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. He is survived by his wife Mary Danley Zazzarino.
Mr. Zazzarino was born August 8, 1927, in Brooklyn, NY, and was the son of the late Patrick and Mary Greico Zazzarino. He retired as a Traffic Manager at Witco Corporation. He was a past member of the New York Traffic Club and a Little League Baseball Coach in Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Zazzarino was a pitcher for the Witco Corporation softball team "Amalie Oilers," and bowled on the New York Traffic Club bowling team.
Surviving are two sons and daughter-in-laws Edward and Elvira Zazzarino, Brooklyn, NY; and Thomas and Carolyn Zazzarino, East Fishkill, NY. Two daughters and son-in-laws Patricia and Joseph Quinto, Massapequa, NY; and Mary Alice and Theodore Gresch, Woodstock, GA. Six grandchildren Jessica Slotwinski; William and Heather Gresch Matthew; Pamela and Jennifer Zazzarino; Several nieces and nephews; and predeceased by Angela D'Amato.
Memorial Contribution may be made to National Kidney Foundation of New York/New Jersey, 1250 Broadway, Suite 2001, New York, NY 10001.
Funeral Arrangements are by Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis.
Roy L. Hayes
Willow Grove, Pa. - A Memorial Service was held for Roy L. Hayes, 89, of Willow Valley in Lancaster, formerly of Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, Hershey's Mill in West Chester and Fawn Lake Forest, who died on March 13, 2008, at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. He is survived by his wife, Ellen C. Hayes.
He was member of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, where he earned a Bronze star, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and two Overseas bars for his time in the Asian Pacific Theater. He worked with the Railroad for 42 years including management positions with the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, and Conrail as well as spending time as the General Manager at Tanglewood Resort in the Poconos. He was a 32nd Mason and a member of Lower Merion Baptist Church as well as attending Harvest Bible Church.
Also surviving are three children, Joe, James and Valerie; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and two sisters, Ethel Mae and Marie.
A Memorial Service was held on Sunday, March 30, in the Spring Run Auditorium, Building J, Willow Valley Lakes Communities in Willow Street. A Memorial/Masonic service was held on Monday, March 31, at Lower Merion Baptist Church, Bryn Mawr.
Bruce C. Smack
Honesdale, Pa. - A private funeral service will be held for Bruce C. Smack, 72, of Vero Beach, FL, who died Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008 in the Wayne Memorial Hospital Honesdale. He and his wife, Jeanne, who survives would have been married 32 years this April.
Son of the late Lawrence and Evelyn Johnson Smack of Florida, he graduated from Pennington Central High School in Pennington, NJ. He attended an agricultural school in New York, and Pennington Prep in New Jersey. He was a four year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was retired from Pennington Furnace in New Jersey. He was a happy person and enjoyed his family and life and he especially liked living in the RV in Pennsylvania during the summer season by his family.
He is survived by a step-daughter, Dottie Dicheck of Califon, NJ; a step-son, Richard Davison of Hawley; a grandson Scott Dicheck of Tenton, NJ; a granddaughter Jeanne McCollum of Rowland; and a great-grandson, Bruce C. McCollum of Rowland.
Following cremation, a private funeral service will be held.
For further information or directions call (570) 253-0260.
Arrangements made by Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, 1228 North Main Street, Honesdale, PA 18431.
