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OBITUARIES

October 4

OBITUARIES

BERTSCHI - Sister Virginia, R.S.M., 67, a member of the Mid-Atlantic Community of the Sisters of Mercy, died Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 at home in Cresson, Pa.

She was the senior vice-president for Administrative Services at Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, Pa.

Born on Feb. 23, 1942 in the Bronx, N.Y., she entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1959 and professed her religious vows on Aug. 16, 1962. Then known as Sr. M. Kevin Joseph, she professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1967.

She was a graduate of Queen of the Rosary Academy, Amityville, N.Y., and Misericordia University, Dallas. She received an M.A. in Catechetical Theology from Manhattan College, N.Y. and an advanced diploma in Educational Administration from St. John’s University, N.Y.

During her 50 years as a Sister of Mercy, she served in the Pennsylvania Dioceses of Harrisburg, Altoona-Johnstown, Scranton; in the New York Dioceses of New York, Brooklyn, Rockville Center; and in the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio. She also ministered with the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, and Rosslyn, South Africa.

In addition to her work as a gifted college administrator, she was a teacher and principal for many years. She was principal of Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Syosset, N.Y.; Dean of Students at St. Catherine Academy, Bronx, N.Y.; and Principal of McAuley High School, Toledo, Ohio. She was a member of the faculty at St. Francis Prep., Fresh Meadows, N.Y., and Bishop Reilly High School, Flushing, N.Y.

She was the Assistant Director of Education in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. She also served in community leadership as the Director of Ministry for the Sisters of Mercy, Dallas. She was a member of the board of trustees, Misericordia University. She also was the chairperson of the Sisters of Mercy Healthy Communities Initiative Endowment Fund.

Surviving are her brothers, Thomas Bertschi, Bethpage, N.Y.; Steven Bertschi, Southold, N.Y.; Robert Bertschi, Babylon, N.Y.; sisters, Catherine Schneider, Greene, N.Y.; Janet Bertschi-Young, South Orange, N.J.; Carol Bertschi, Bethpage, N.Y.; many nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations to the Mount Aloysius Scholarship Fund, 7373 Admiral Peary Hwy., Cresson, PA 16630, or to the Retirement Fund, Sisters of Mercy, PO Box 369, Dallas, PA 18612.

DYSLESKI - Stanley J., of Kingston Township, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 at Hospice Community Care Inpatient Unit at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was a graduate of Coughlin High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree in English from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre.

He was employed for over 28 years as subdivision officer at Luzerne County Planning Commission, retiring in 2001. He was a member of St. Francis Cabrini Church, Carverton.

Surviving are his wife of 27 years, the former Mary K. Swenski; daughter, Stacie Dysleski, at home; brother, Anthony, Parsons.

Memorial donations to Hospice Community Care, 601 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, PA 18704 or The Center for Cancer Wellness: Candy’s Place, 190 Welles St., Suite 120, Forty Fort, PA 18704.

GOODE - Shirley Parry, 83, of Dallas, died Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at hhome.

A graduate of Larksville High School, she last worked as a salad chef for Saga Food Service at College Misericordia.

She was a member of the Dallas United Methodist Church, its United Methodist Women, Senior Choir and Senior Sunday School Class. She also was a member of the Red Hat Society and the Firwood United Methodist Church Senior Group.

Surviving are her children, Cheryl Miskiel, Dallas; Joseph C., Benton; Steven M., Beaumont; Wayne, Kingston; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Harrison, Florida.

Memorial donations to the Dallas United Methodist Church Youth/Acolyte Fund.

HINNEGAN - Carol Elizabeth, of Center Square, died Monday, Sept. 21, 2009 in Keystone House, Wyndmoor, after a long battle with cancer.

She was the granddaughter of Helen Franklin, of Jackson Township.

Born in Norristown, she was a graduate of Wissahickon High School, Class of 1980.

Her career began in the Aerospace and Defense Technology field as a quality control inspector for Teleflex. She spent the last 15 years perfecting her career in the medical field at Kensey Nash, Exton.

In addition to her maternal grandmother, she is survived by her parents, Kathleen and Frank Hinnegan, of Center Square; her two sons, Cody and Trevor Black; sisters, Kathy Ann DiClementi, of Center Square; and Dianna Waclawski, of Skillman, N.J., nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial donations to the Carol E. Hinnegan Memorial Fund, c/o Wachovia Bank, 1375 Skippack Pike, Center Square, PA 19422 for a trust fund for Cody and Trevor Black.

JANOSIK - Edward Robert, 74, of Dallas, died at his home on Sunday, September 27, 2009.

Born in Larksville, he attended St. Stephen’s Grammar School and graduated from Larksville High School in 1953.

He served in the U.S. Army and was a charter member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly 1928, Luzerne.

Until his death, he was an active member of St. Therese’s Church, serving on the hospitality, marriage preparation and environmental ministries. He also volunteered for Meal on Wheels and drove for the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery for many years.

Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Marge; daughter, Theresa Janosik, Randolph, N.J.; son, Ed, Danielsville, Ga.; daughter, Sally Havey, Woodland Hills, Calif.; and son, Michael, Athens, Ga.; seven grandchildren; a sister, Phyllis Janosik, North Plainfield, N.J., nephews, nieces and cousins.

Memorial donations to St. Therese’s Church, Shavertown, the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

PORTER - Cora R., 81, of Shavertown, died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009 at Hospice Community Care, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was a graduate of Kingston Township High School, Nesbitt Hospital School of Nursing, Wilkes College, and the University of Scranton.

She began her teaching career as an instructor at the Nesbitt Hospital School of Nursing and later became the Assistant Director of Nursing Services at Nesbitt Hospital. She continued her career at the Luzerne County Community College where she was on of the five founders of the Nursing Education Program.

At the time of her retirement, she was an Associate Professor of Nursing.

After her retirement, she was a volunteer with the American Red Cross Blood Mobile and Meals on Wheels. During the Korean War, she served in the U.S. Navy as a nurse.

She was a member of the Trucksville United Methodist Church, its United Methodist Women and the National League of Nursing.

Surviving are a son, R. Brian, of Fairport, N.Y.; daughter, R. Bonnie Pajka, of Shavertown; sister, Naomi Holdredge, Shavertown; three grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations to Hospice Community Care; Trucksville United Methodist Church; or to the Luzerne County Community College Foundation.

SMITH - Ralph S., 91, North Pioneer Avenue, Dallas, died Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Born July 22, 1918 in Kingston, he attended Kingston High School, Wyoming Seminary, Amherst College and graduated summa cum laude from Wilkes College.

After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Korea during World War II, he managed the Crawford Smith Lumber Company with his brother, Gordon. In 1958, he joined the staff of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania and served as president from 1965 until his retirement in 1983.

He was a vice-president of Wyoming Valley United Way, a past president of the Welfare Planning Council, a member of the advisory committee to the Department of Defense on Dependents’ Medical Care and from 1968 until 1989, a member of the board of directors and chairman of the board of United Penn Bank.

He was a member of Prince of Peace Episcopal Church where he had served as senior warden on the vestry, a past president of the Wilkes-Barre Little Theater and a member of the Westmoreland Club of Wilkes-Barre since 1953.

In his later years, he spent managed the forestland of the Smith Heirs Trust in Fairmont County.

Surviving are his sister, Jean Ingling, Alexandria, Va.; daughter, Susan Smith Lehrmitt, New York City; son, S. Kerr, New Orleans; two grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.