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obituaries

ANKENBRAND - Joseph J., 65, of Kingston Township, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 in Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia.

Born in Pittston on Feb. 5, 1943, he was a graduate of Hughestown High School, Class of 1960 and was a U.S. Navy veteran serving during the Cuban Crisis.

Prior to retirement, he was employed as a union pipe fitter. He was a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, JFK Council, Pittston and a member of St. Mary’s Assumption Church, Pittston.

Surviving are his mother, Elizabeth Price Ankenbrand, Hughestown; his wife of 43 years, Helen; son, Joseph, Baltimore, Md.; daughters, Lori Bednar, Kingston Township; and Andrea Ankenbrand, Media; two grandchildren; brother, Francis Ankenbrand, Duryea; an aunt, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial donations to Hahnemann University Hospital, Heart Failure Unit, 21st Floor, Broad and Vine Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

BAKER - Belva Finch Stokes, 87, of Evans Falls, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009 at the Meadows Nursing Home in Dallas.

Born in Walden, N.Y. on April 13, 1921, she attended Walden High School. She was a member of the Bowman’s Creek Free Methodist Church, the Women’s Missionary Society, was a Cradle Roll superintendent and served as a steward of the church.

Surviving are her daughters, Joyce Stokes Crevier, Evans Falls; Nancy Stokes, Dallas; sons, David, Shavertown; Rev. Laurence, Lapeer, Mich.; sister, Madeline O’Donnell, Waretown, N.J.; brother, Paul F. Finch, of Grass Valley, Calif.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial donations to Bowman’s Creek Free Methodist Church.

BOMBERGER - Paul F., 83, of Dallas, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.

Born April 4, 1925 in Schaefferstown, he was a graduate of the Atlantic City, N.J. schools and was a Navy veteran of World War II where he served in Guam as an aviation machinist.

He was employed by the Georgia Pacific Company for many years, first in the Philadelphia area and in 1960 was transferred to the Scranton region. He was a member of Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas, and the American Legion, Daddow Isaacs Post 672, Dallas.

Surviving are his wife of 52 years, the former Josie Murgia; daughters, Kathryn Bennie, Harrisburg; and Joanne Halowich, Plains Township; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren.

SWITZER - Parke, 90, formerly of Village Road, Franklin Township, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 in the Meadows Nursing Center, Dallas.

Born in Lockville, he was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force World War II. He was a carpenter who was employed by various contractors in the area and a member of the Dymond Hollow United Methodist Church.

Surviving are his daughter; Shirley Pearn, Franklin Township; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations to the Dymond Hollow United Methodist Church, c/o Centermoreland Charge, 1244 SR 292 Tunkhannock, PA, 18657.