Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
LeRoy J. Van Buskirk
December 17, 1998
LeRoy J. Van Buskirk, 62, of Palmerton, died Thursday in his home.
He was the husband of Geraldine (Walk) Van Buskirk. They had celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary in September.
Born in Saylorsburg, he was a son of the late Roy and Ruth (Woolley) Van Buskirk.
He had been a self employed truck driver for 30 years, retiring in 1998.
He was of the Lutheran faith.
He was an Air Force veteran and a member of the American Legion Post #927 in Gilbert.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons : Michael Van Buskirk of Hellertown; LeRoy J. Van Buskirk of Holland; and Bill Van Buskirk of Palmerton; four daughters : Sandi Nester of Steinsville; Sharon Peiler of Fountain Hill; Sue Van Buskirk of Cortland, N.Y.; and Wendy Lombardo of Chapmans; three step-sons , Floyd, Nevin, and Todd Koehler, all of Palmerton; a step-daughter, Lisa Koehler of Palmerton; two sisters , Betty Treweek of Bangor, and Joyce Bachman of Cherry Valley; and 21 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Mae Barlieb.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday from the Kresge Funeral Home, with the Rev. Paul Schoffstall officiating. Burial will be in Towamensing Cemetery, Palmerton. A viewing will be held on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
William H. Kresge Funeral Home, Inc.
Michael B. Palys
December 17, 1998
Michael B. Palys, 80, of Chestnuthill Township, died Thursday in Palmerton Hospital.
He was the husband of the late Mary T. (Daniel) Palys.
Born in Pottstown, he was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Palys.
He had been the head maintenance man at various plants in Staten Island for 18 years, retiring in 1962.
He served as a medic in the Army during World War II and he was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and the Medal of Valor.
He was an avid gardener, having won many awards for his flowers at the West End Fair throughout his years.
He was of the Catholic faith.
He is survived by a daughter, Veronica Dorothy Palys of Chestnuthill Township, and by a granddaughter, Bridget R. Palys of Chestnuthill Township.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday from Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Tannersville, with the Rev. Henry E. Zapotocki as celebrant. Burial will be in Buena Vista Cemetery, Brodheadsville. A viewing will be held on Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. from the Kresge Funeral Home, .
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Palmerton Hospital, 135 Lafayette Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071.
William H. Kresge Funeral Home, Inc.
Harry Staples
December 17, 1998
Harry Staples, of Reeders, died Thursday evening at home. He was the husband of Beverly (Harrison) Staples who he had married right out of high school and spent many happy years growing together.
Born in East Stroudsburg, he was the son of Katherine Staples of East Stroudsburg and the late Albert Staples and had lived in the area all of his life. He had his own cabinet making and designing business and had worked as a truck driver for Great Northern for the last several years.
In addition to his wife and mother , he is survived by two sisters , Katherine Kitchen of Reeders, and Betty Dickison of East Stroudsburg; and several nieces and nephews. He was an avid animal lover being the parent of his three loving pets, Sweet Pea, Apache, and Lucky the cat.
Funeral services will be held tonight at 8 p.m. in the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg. Cremation will follow in the H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg.
There will be a visitation tonight from 7 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the animal charity of one's choice.
William H. Clark Funeral Home, Inc.
Paul S. Peters
Oct. 30, 1998
Paul S. Peters, 61, of Mount Pocono died Friday, Oct. 30, at home. He was the husband of Mary Jane (Riley) Peters.
Born in Queens, N.Y., he was the son of Doris Brennan of Mount Pocono and the late John C. Peters.
He was a self-employed builder for County Classic Homes since 1981.
He was a naval veteran and a member of the Pocono Builders Association.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters , Cynthia Gregor of Scotrun and Jennifer Peters of New York City, N.Y.; a son, Jonathan Peters of Mount Pocono; and five grandchildren, Jessica, Jaclyn and Justin Gregor, all of Scotrun, and Teri and Tavi Peters, both of Fort Charlotte, Fla.
He was preceded in death by a son, Paul S. Peters Jr.
The Rev. Carol Brown from the First Presbyterian Church in Stroudsburg will conduct a memorial service on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m. at the Bolock Funeral Home, routes 940 and 390, Mount Pocono. There will be a visitation at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lehigh Valley Hospice, 1273 N. Ninth St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360.
Bolock Funeral Home
Wesley W. Smith
November 3, 1998
Wesley W. Smith, 73, of Winter Springs, Fla., and formerly of Gilbert, died Tuesday in Winter Springs.
He was the husband of Ruth (Armbruster) Smith of Winter Springs.
Born in Gilbert, he was a son of the late John and Lizzie (Greenamoyer) Smith.
He had owned and operated his own excavating and construction business in Gilbert for many years.
He was a member of Salem St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kresgeville.
He was a member of Barger Lodge #325 Free and Accepted Masons in Stroudsburg and the Irem Temple in Wilkes Barre. He was a member of the BPOE in East Stroudsburg, the American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert, and the Western Pocono Lions Club. He was a former director of the West End Fair Association.
He served in the Army artillery during World War II.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Sandra L. Fehnel in Florida; a brother, James Smith of Kunkletown RD; two sisters , Myra Beck and Iva Nenscel, both of Gilbert; two granddaughters, Carey Wicks and Staci Unseth, both in Florida; and two great granddaughters, Tari and Danielle Unseth, both in Florida.
Cremation will take place in Florida. A memorial service, followed by interment in Gilbert Cemetery, will be announced at a later date by the Kresge Funeral Home, .
William H. Kresge Funeral Home, Inc.
Deborah Terzaken
November 5, 1998
Deborah Terzaken, 50, of Tobyhanna, died Thursday at home. She was the wife of John Terzaken.
Born in New Rochelle, N.Y., she was the daughter of Edward and Katherine McCaffrey, presently of Surf City, N.J.
She was a graduate of St. Gabriel's High School in New Rochelle, N.Y., and Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y.
She was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Tobyhanna.
Known as Miss Debbie to many of the children and residents of A Pocono Country Place, Deborah ran the playgroup for three and four-year olds as an employee for the past 12 years, and as a volunteer six years prior. Kindergarten teachers have said, "You can tell which children have attended Miss Debbie's playgroup, she did her job well."
She was a major influence on many of the children, some who are now adults in the community. This is why the Board of Directors of A Pocono Country Place, in appreciation for her unselfish and devoted caring for the children of the community, have voted unanimously to officially name the playhouse, "Miss Debbie's Playhouse." The dedication will be on November 14, 1998.
In addition to her husband and parents, Deborah is survived by four children: John Terzaken III of Centreville, Va.; Timothy Terzaken of San Clemente, Calif.; Shane Terzaken of Tobyhanna; and Tara Terzaken of Fairfax, Va.; two brothers , Edward McCaffrey of Colorado and Dennis McCaffrey of Tampa, Fla.; two sisters , Kathleen Byrnes of Mahopac, N.Y., and Mary Flynn of Chicago, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews.
Monsignor Kelly will celebrate a Funeral Mass on Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Tobyhanna.
Visitation will be Sunday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bolock Funeral Home, Corner of Routes 940 and 390 in Mount Pocono.
Bolock Funeral Home
Emma Koehler Smith
November 6, 1998
Emma Koehler Smith, 79, of RD 3 Saylorsburg, died Friday at St. Lukes Hospital, Fountain.
Born in Ross Township, where she lived all her life, she was the only daughter of the late Luther P. and Mary Jane (Getz) Koehler.
A graduate of East Stroudsburg Teachers College, she had been a school teacher for 28 years, starting out in one room rural schools in Ross and then Eldred Townships, followed by the Pleasant Valley School District from which she retired.
She was a member of the Chestnuthill High School Alumni Association, the Retired Teachers of Monroe County, and the Pa. State Employees Retirement Association.
She loved to travel and visited many countries and islands, including Hawaii, the Holy Land, China, the Scandinavian countries, Switzerland, Panama, and Italy among others.
She was a member of Salem St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kresgeville where she had taught Sunday school for many years and was a member of the church auxiliary. She had also been the pianist for the Salem St. Paul Lutheran Church in Gilbert.
She is survived by her long time companion, James J. Rankin of Easton; three aunts: Helen Silfies of Kunkletown; Emma Reed of Stroudsburg; and Ella Smith of Snydersville; and by numerous cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday from Salem St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kresgeville with the Rev. Deborah Scheffey officiating. Burial will be in Gilbert Cemetery. A viewing will be held on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service in the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salem St. Paul Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 168, Kresgeville, PA 18333.
William H. Kresge Funeral Home, Inc.
Nellie A. Scalpato
November 8, 1998
Nellie A. Scalpato, 86, formerly of Stroudsburg, died at the Baptist Home in Philadelphia. She was the wife of the late Michael John Scalpato.
She was the beloved mother of Michael R. Scalpato; grandmother of Michael E. Scalpato and Monica Scalpato; sister of Ida Storey, Jean Ward, Pat Bifierie, Rita Mancini, Daniel Bifierie, Robert Bifierie and Dolores Langley.
Relatives and friends are invited to her Mass of Christian Burial Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Baptist Home, 8301 Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19152.
Viewing will be Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers contributions to the above named home.
Fletcher Funeral Home
9529 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia
Karl J. Boginski
November 7, 1998
Karl J. Boginski, 47, Gouldsboro RR1, died Saturday, Nov. 7, in the Hospice Unit of Mercy Hospital. His widow is the former Betty Lou Oplinger.
Born in Nicholson, son of the late Joseph and Betty Eckert Boginski, Nicholson, he was a resident of the Gouldsboro area the past 21 years. He was a graduate of Lackawanna Trail High School and attended Bloomsburg University.
For over 30 years, he was a partner in Boginski and Flaherty Constructing, Tobyhanna. He was a member of the Mount Cobb Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Also surviving are a daughter, Sara of Tuskalussa, Ala., four sons , Travis of Tuskalussa, Ala., Bobby Coslett of Kingston, Chad and Eric Coslett, both of Forty Fort; four sisters , Jean Knight of Elmhurst, Debra Smith of Boynton Beach, Fla., Lois of Dallas and Lisa Beler of Raleigh, N.C.; and nieces and nephews.
Services were held in the Mount Cobb Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Home
Erlick E. Catman
Nov. 9, 1998
Erlick E. Catman, 82, a resident of Gouldsboro since 1966, died Monday at home. His wife, the former Nannie Bell Heying, died Feb. 2, 1972. Born in Lake Titus, N.Y., he was the son of the late Fred and Elizabeth Murray Catman.
He was a Navy veteran of WWII, serving aboard the USS Massachusetts. After the war, he was a farmer in Nelson, Mo. until 1957 when he moved to Schenectady, N.Y. Prior to his retirement in October 1979, he was a welder at the Tobyhanna Army Depot.
He was a member of the Gouldsboro United Methodist Church. He was a life member of American Legion Post 274 in Gouldsboro, and the VFW Post 5207 Daleville. This year he was named the grand marshal of Gouldsboro Memorial Day Parade.
Surviving are one son, Fred W. Catman of Macungie, and two granddaughters. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Earleen N. Wrzeszewski, who died on April 20, 1996, five sisters and three brothers .
The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. in the Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Home, Route 690, Springbrook Township, with services by the Rev. Lori Steffenson. Interment will be in Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst, Pa.
Friends may call Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gouldsboro United Methodist Church or the American Legion Post 274.
Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Home