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OBITUARIES

June 14

OBITUARIES

GARDNER - Bette Lynn, of Tunkhannock, died on Tuesday, June 2, 2009 in the Tyler Memorial Hospital, Tunkhannock.

Born in Kingston on July 2, 1943, she was employed as a social worker at St. Michael’s School prior to her retirement.

She was a member of the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church, the Chancel Choir and a 20-year member of the Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association, serving as an EMT and board secretary.

She was also an EMT and CPR instructor for the American Red Cross and EMS and had served on the Tunkhannock Borough Council as a member for 18 years.

Surviving are her husband of 45 years, Bruce; sons, David, of Manchester, N.H.; Stephen, of Tunkhannock; and Paul, of Courtdale; daughter, Terri Velez, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sister, Heidi May King, of Cheyenne, Wyo.; eight grandchildren; two great-granddaughters.

Memorial donations to the American Heart Association, 71 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, or the American Cancer Society, 57 Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

GELSLEICHTER - Robert R., 75, of Dallas, died Monday, June 1, 2009 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, he attended Dallas Township schools.

Before retiring, he was employed as a chemical compounder by Ciba Chemical Corp.

He was a member of the Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas; the Dallas Legion; and the Back Mountain Rod and Gun Club. He served with the U. S. Army.

Surviving are a brother, Frank C., of Dallas; companion, Dianne Marsh; nieces; nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews.

PRICE - Gilbert D. “Sheriff,” 96, of Hunlock Creek, died Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.

Born January 8, 1913 in Lehman Township, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a truck driver for the First Battalion 357th Infantry Combat in the Alps of Italy. He was self-employed as a timber log contractor for 60 years.

He was an avid supporter of M.A.D.D. and a member of the Hanover Township American Legion Post 609.

Surviving are his daughter, Dorothy Price Gray, of Breeding, Ky.; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations to M.A.D.D., 2323 Patton Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17112.

SCHULTZ - Robert M., 81, of Carverton Road, Kingston Township, died Tuesday, June 2, 2009 in The Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Dallas.

Born September 9, 1927 in Wilkes-Barre, he graduated from Hughestown High School and was an Army veteran of World War II.

He was employed by Glenn Alden and, prior to his retirement, was employed for over 32 years by Air Tron, a division of Litton Corporation, Dover, N.J.

He was a member of the Shavertown United Methodist Church.

Surviving are his wife, Louella Coolbaugh Schultz; and a sister, Marquerite Ciannelli, of Hughestown.

SMITH - Dr. Jay Charles, 80, of Sweet Valley, died Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Smith began his military career as a private in 1946 and retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a full Colonel in 1976.His appointment as Unit Commander, 183rd U.S. Army Terminal Station compliment was made by the President of the U.S. Smith was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 1974 and 1962.

He received the Navy Unit Commendation in 1972 for exceptionally meritorious service.

While coordinating relief operations and providing rescue and logistical support to flood victims in the state of Pennsylvania from June 23, 1972 to September 25, 1972, Smith received his B.S. degree in education and English. He further earned a Master of Science in Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania and the Degree of Doctor of Education from Temple University in 1974.

He was hired by the Board of Education to become the new principal and superintendent of Upper Marion High School.

He devoted his public activities as a speaker against the death penalty as part of authoress of “Dead Man Walking,” Sister Helen Prejean’s Witness to Innocence organization.

He also volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre.

Surviving are his wife, Maureen Ann Leary-Smith; a daughter, Sherwyn Smith, Dallas; step-children, Tammy Klucitas, Kingston; Rayleen Burkhardt, Swoyersville; and Raymond Leary, Swoyersville; four step-grandchildren.

Memorial donations to St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen, Wilkes-Barre.

SMITH - Marilyn Williams, 78, of Elizabeth City, N.C., died Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at the Albemarle Hospital, Elizabeth City, N.C.

Born in Idetown, she had over 20 years of work experience from the early 1960s through the mid 1980s as a nurse in the Lake-Lehman School District.

She was a member of the Dallas Community Church and the Pennsylvania Nursing Education Association

Surviving are a daughter, Jennie Smith Roach, of Elizabeth City, N.C.; a sister, Nancy Williams Bonning, of Shavertown; brother, William Bruce Williams, of Cape Cod, Mass; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces.