Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
PODSKOCH, REV. CLEMENT
October 2, 1999
The Rev. Clement J. Podskoch, C.S.C., of King's College, died Saturday at Mercy Hospital in Scranton, following a brief illness.
Born May 6, 1926, in Swoyersville, he was the son of the late Martin and Emelia (Pison) Podskoch.
He graduated from St. Mary's High School in Wilkes-Barre and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the first graduating class at King's College in 1950.
He entered the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1950 and made his first profession of vows in 1951. He studied philosophy at Stonehill College and pursued theological studies at Holy Cross College in Washington , D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood in Scranton by Bishop Jerome Hannon on May 26, 1956.
He was assigned to Father Baker High School in Lackawanna, N.Y., and then taught religion and science at Notre Dame High School in Bridgeport, Conn. In 1961, he was assigned to reside at King's College and served as Catholic Chaplain at the State Correctional Institution in Dallas, before retiring in 1991. After his retirement he assisted in many parishes throughout the Wyoming Valley, including weekend Masses at Holy Redeemer in Harding.
During his ministry he initiated many programs to promote religious development, including the St. Dismas Chapter of Bread for the World and the Pioneers, an organization for senior citizens in prison. He instituted the annual St. Dismas Triduum in October, the weekly special Lenten Masses and Holy Week services celebrated by fellow Holy Cross priests from King's College. He was honored by regional, state and national organizations for his dedicated and effective ministry to prisoners.
He served on the Board of Directors of King's College and the Board of Directors of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for 17 years. He was the executive director of the Crime Clinic of the Greater Wyoming Valley, was chaplain-moderator of the King's College Reginas and served as councilor to the Religious Superior of the Holy Cross Community at King's College.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Ludmilla Podskoch Kudela; brothers , the Rev. Joseph and Daniel Podskoch.
Surviving are his brother, Martin M. Podskoch, Swoyersville; one sister-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Chapel of Christ the King on the corner of North Franklin and West Jackson Streets in Wilkes-Barre. There will be a wake service at 5 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 134 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre.
Following transferal of the body, a Christian Wake Service will be at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Chapel of Mary, Stonehill College, North Easton, Mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated there at 10 a.m. Friday.
Interment will be in Holy Cross Fathers and brothers ' Cemetery on the Stonehill campus.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Holy Cross Scholarship Fund, c/o Development Office, King's College, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre.
FRANK POKORNY
April 27, 1999
Frank K. Pokorny, 87, of Dallas died Tuesday at the Meadows Nursing Center in Dallas.
Born Jan. 10, 1912, in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Charles F. and Belle (Athey) Pokorny. He was a graduate of local schools.
Before his retirement, he was employed for 30 years as a foreman at Native Textiles in Dallas.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
He was a member of Trucksville United Methodist Church and was a life member of the Pennsylvania Disabled American Veterans.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude (Phillips) Pokorny.
Surviving are nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday from the Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home, 140 N. Main Street, Shavertown, with the Rev. W. Charles Naugle officiating. Interment will be in Hanover Green Cemetery in Hanover Township.
Friends may call from noon until the time of service Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Trucksville United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, c/o Trucksville United Methodist Church, Church Road, Trucksville, 18708.
CATHERINE POLASKI
May 1, 1999
Catherine (Pietras) Polaski, of Duryea, died Saturday at her home.
Born Nov. 24, 1907, in Old Forge, she was the daughter of the late Casimir and Sophia (Wegrzyn) Pietras.
She was educated in the Old Forge schools and was a resident of Duryea for 73 years.
She was a member of Holy Rosary Church, the Ladies Auxiliary American Legion Brennan-Regan Post 585, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary Post 1227, all of Duryea.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Polaski; daughter, Marcella Hanczyc; brothers , Joseph, Charles and Henry Pietras; sisters , Ann Pietras, Tessie Margaris, Helen Pohutcky and Sophie Amendola.
Surviving are a son, Joseph Polaski, Clinton, N.J.; daughters , Eleanor Odell, Duryea; Claire Zajaczkowski, Moscow; brothers , Adam Petras, Scranton; John Petras, Larksville; sisters , Agnes Nelson, Charleston, S.C.; Pearl Dolecki, Old Forge; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday from the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home, Inc., 204 Main St., Duryea, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary Church in Duryea.
Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Duryea.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today. Vigil services will be held this afternoon with the Rev. Charles Rokosz officiating.
VICTORIA POLI
Victoria Poli, 84, of Clark Street in Old Forge died Thursday at her home.
Born in Old Forge, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Mary Rook.
She attended Old Forge schools and was a lifelong borough resident.
She was employed as a seamstress at the Dutchess Garment Co. and Lenny Lee Fashions.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mario Polo, in 1971; brothers , John Rook and Joseph Rook; and sisters , Helen Engleman, Sophie Rook and Loretta Rook.
Surviving are her son, Arthur Poli, Mendham, N.J.; daughter, Patricia Gurecki, Huntington, Conn.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; brother, Stanley Rook, Philadelphia; sister, Mary Dolinger, Scranton; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Monday from the Victor M. Ferri Funeral Home, 522 Fallon St., Old Forge with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Church on Franklin Street in the Austin Heights section of Old Forge, with the Rev. Cyril Rable officiating.
Interment will be in Old Forge Cemetery.
A viewing will be held at the convenience of the family Sunday evening.
POPEK, LEONARD
October 7, 1999
Leonard F. Popek, 77, of Main Street in Nanticoke, died Thursday at his home.
Funeral arrangements are pending from the Grontkowski Funeral Home, 51-53 W. Green St., Nanticoke.
Joseph Poplawski
April 17, 1998
Joseph E. Poplawski died Friday at the Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, shortly after admission.
Born in Taylor and reared in Duryea and Dupont, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary Gross Poplawski. He lived in Lawrenceville, Ga., for the past 12 years.
He graduated from Pittston Area High School in 1980 and Keystone Junior College in 1986. He was also a graduate of a technical school for computers in Atlanta.
He was an occupational supervisor at Personal Commuter Rental for the past six years.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Lawrenceville.
He was a former member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Dupont.
He was a member of the Polish American Citizen's Club, Dupont, and a policeman and fireman in Dupont Borough.
Surviving are his sisters Miss Marie Poplawski, Dupont; Mrs. John (Susan) Baker, King of Prussia; two nephews; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday from the Adonizio Funeral Home Inc., 251 William St., Pittston, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Dupont.
Interment will be in the parish Cemetery, Dupont.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Powell, Mildred
March 6, 2000
Mildred M. Powell, of East Noble Street, Nanticoke, died Monday at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.
Born March 23, 1923, in Nanticoke, she was the daughter of the late Otto and Carrie (Shelhamer) Mundkowski. She was a graduate of Nanticoke High School and worked at J.J. Newberry Co. and Colonial Fair Department Store. She was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ, Nanticoke.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; grandson, Lee Pakutka; and brother, Harold Munson.
Surviving are her daughter, Lorie Pakutka, Scranton; son, Allen, Ashley; four grandchildren, a niece and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday from the Earl W. Lohman Funeral Home, 14 W. Green St., Nanticoke, with the Rev. Barry M. Lohman officiating. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Interment will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. Memorial donations may be made to Zion United Church of Christ.
Powl, Ruth
March 7, 2000
Ruth D. Powl, 77, of Goshen Mill Road, Peach Bottom, died Tuesday, at the Lancaster General Hospital.
Born in Glenolden, she was a daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Charles F. and Bertha (Diebold) Deininger. She was a registered nurse serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
Surviving are her husband, Rev. James E. Powl, who was a minister in this area; daughters , Dorothea P. Smith, Pocomoke, Md.; Susan P. Kreider and Kathryn P. McCauley, both of Quarryville; and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothea Deininger.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church, Quarryville. Friends may call from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the church. Interment will be in Chestnut Level Presbyterian Cemetery.
WALTER PRASCOVITZ
W alter (Praszkowicz) Prascovitz, formerly of North Main Street in the North End section of Wilkes-Barre died Wednesday at Riverstreet Manor in Wilkes-Barre following an illness.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Anthony and Maryann (Mastaj) Praszkowicz.
He was a member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church on North Main Street in Wilkes-Barre, where he was a former member of the parish Holy Name Society.
He was educated in Wilkes-Barre area schools.
Before retiring, he was employed as a truck driver by Abe N. Solomon Industries in Wilkes-Barre. He was previously employed by the Max Hurwitz Scrap Iron and Metal Co. of Wilkes-Barre, and the Bertels Can Co. in Wilkes-Barre.
An avid bowler, he bowled with Bilski's Bowling League.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Anna Parysz in 1997; sisters , Julia Kowalski and Elizabeth Praszkowicz; and brother, John Praszkowicz.
Surviving are his brother, Stanley Praszkowicz, Wilkes-Barre; sisters , Helen Praszkowicz and Mary Praszkowicz, both at home; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday from the John V. Morris Funeral Home, 625 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre with a funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Kostka Roman Catholic Church, with the Rev., Joseph M. Horanzy officiating.
Interment will be in Mount Olivet Roman Catholic Cemetery in the Carverton section of Kingston Township.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. There will be a vigil service conducted Friday afternoon.
