TimesLeader.com

October 26, 2008

obituaries

BRENNAN – Kathleen “Kate,” 55, of Dallas, died Friday, Oct. 17, 2008.

Born June 19, 1953 in Wayne, she was a member of the Class of 1971 of Dallas High School and was a magna cum laude graduate of College Misericordia, earning her BA in English in 1975. She was named Outstanding Graduate Student in Humanities upon receiving her Master of Arts in English from the University of Scranton in 1986.

She began her teaching career in 1975 as a seventh-grade teacher in the Lake-Lehman School District. In 1980, she joined the English Department of College Misericordia, where she was a writing instructor for many years. In 1986, she embarked on a 22-year career with Penn State University at Wilkes-Barre, where she was a senior instructor of English, literature and writing.

Surviving are her father, Joseph P. Brennan, of Trucksville; children, Blake Sult and Bruce Justin Nagle, both of Dallas; three grandchildren; sisters, Patricia Bryant, of Dallas; and Terri Brennan, Paris, France; brothers, Robert, Fairfax, Calif.; and Dr. Timothy, Annville; step-daughters, Andrea Spooner, New York City; and Kristen Schneeman, Washington, D.C.

Memorial donations to Penn State Wilkes-Barre Student Scholarship Fund in memory of Kate Brennan, c/o Development Office, P.O. Box PSU, Lehman, PA 18627-02.

DOWNS - Oscar F., 97, of Hanover Green, died on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008.

Born in Jamison City, Pa. and later residing in Bloomsburg where he attended school, he most recently resided in Shavertown with his daughter, Cappie Evers. He was employed at the Magee Carpet Mill prior to his retirement from the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1975. He was a life-long member of the East End Sportman’s Club. He was also a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II and was active in the Hanover Township VFW Post 5267.

Surviving are daughters, Cappie Evers and Cletta Salavantis; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

DUKINAS - Raymond, 80, of Trucksville, died Friday, Oct. 17, 2008.

Born in Forty Fort, he was employed as a steelworker by Garwood Industries and Muskin Manufacturing before retiring. He was a member of Gate of Heaven Church and served with the Navy during World War II.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret Williams Dukinas; sons, Ronald R., Dallas; Gregory C., Kingston; daughter, Lauren Chimock, Dallas; three grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

DULA - Edward J., 80, of Dallas, formerly of Shickshinny Lake, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008.

Born February 18, 1928 in Plymouth, he was a member of All Saints Parish, Plymouth, and a graduate of Plymouth High School, Class of 1945, where he excelled in football. He later joined the semi-professional football team, the Wilkes-Barre Bullets, as a tackle and linebacker.

He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during World War II and stationed at Puget Sound. Prior to retirement, he was employed at Wilson Beef Company in Wilkes-Barre, the Berwick Power Plant, Native Textiles in Dallas, retiring in 1990 from Wise Potato Chip Company in Berwick.

Throughout his life, he was a member of the Teamsters Local 401, acting as Sergeant of Arms for many years; he was an active member of AFLCIO Labor Council, past president of the Teamsters Local 401 retirees; past member and president of Rainbow Seniors in Wilkes-Barre and an active volunteer of the United Way and the V.A. Medical Center and Hospice.

Surviving are his wife, Agnes Ann Kruzel Dula; children, Edward M., of Coatesville, Pa.; David P., of Jacksonville, N.C.; and Denise A. Newcomb, of Dallas; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

HASENBALG - Donald F., 75, of Tunkhannock, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008.

Born April 25, 1933 in Paterson, N.J., he was a Korean War Veteran, serving in the United States Navy from 1952 through 1956. He lived in Oakland, N.J. where he became police chief in 1972 after joining the force in 1960.

He graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., 100th Session in 1975. A Ramsey High School graduate and a catcher in the St. Louis Browns minor league baseball organization, he was inducted in 1991 into the Bergen County Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame. He moved to Tunkhannock in 1985 after his retirement.

Surviving are his wife, Carolyn Voss Hasenbalg; sons, Wayne and Gary; daughter, Donna; and six grandchildren.

Memorial donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Desert Southwest Chapter, Phoenix, AZ.

JONES - Bernard E., 84, of Rice Street, Trucksville, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008.

Born, Dec. 4, 1923 in Drury’s Run, Pa., he was a graduate of Kingston Township High School, Class of 1943. He attended Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, Dallas. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Fayette in the Pacific. He was a life member of the Daddow Isaacs Post 672 American Legion. Prior to his retirement, he had been employed by the Stegmaier Brewery, later the Lion Brewery, of Wilkes-Barre, for more than 40 years.

Surviving are sons, David, of Shavertown; Donald, of Kingston; and Jeffrey, of Dallas; daughter, Patricia Martin, Trucksville; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; a brother, William J. Jones Jr.; and a sister, Donna Van Kouteran.

Memorial donations to Hospice Community Care, 601 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, PA 18704.

KUNIGONIS - Chester W., 80, of Dallas, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008.

Born in Plymouth, he was employed as an electrician by Algar Inc., Pittsburgh, and also owned and operated a long-distance tractor trailer. He was a member of Gate of Heaven Church, Dallas, and a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict.

He was a member of the Daddow Isaacs American Legion Post 672, Dallas, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Home Association of Post 672. He also served as Past Commander and also was Past Commander of District 12 of the American Legion. He also was a member of the Anthracite Post 283 VFW, Kingston, where he served as Sergeant at Arms.

Surviving are his wife, the former Marion Silchack; step-children, Barbara Brennan, Courtdale; Margaret Conroy, Hector, N.Y.; numerous step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and step-great-great-grandchildren.

REDMOND - Shirley, of Franklin Township, died on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008.

Born in Larksville, she was a graduate of Larksville High School and was a member of the Slocum Chapel Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, Exeter.

Surviving is her husband, the Rev. Arthur Redmond; daughter, Melody, South Brunswick, N.J.; sister, Nancy Webb, Orlando, Fla.; nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations to the Slocum Chapel Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, 1024 Exeter Ave., Exeter, PA 18643.

RODERICK - Betty C., of Dallas, died Monday, Oct. 13, 2008.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, she graduated from Coughlin High School. She was a member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Dallas, where she served on the Membership Committee. She and her late husband, James, served as coordinators for Meals on Wheels in the Back Mountain region for many years.

Surviving are her daughter, Jayne Gregg, of Lehman; a son, Robert, of Harveys Lake; five grandchildren; a niece and nephews.

Memorial donations to Trinity Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 239, Dallas PA, 18612.

ZDONCZYK - Kay Frances, 67, of Sweet Valley, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008.

Born on August 26, 1941 in Front Royal, Va., she had resided in Sweet Valley for the last 32 years. She graduated from Lewistown High School in 1959.

Prior to moving to Sweet Valley, she was employed by the FBI and, for her achievements there, was sent a letter of commendation from J. Edgar Hoover. She also worked for the state government in Harrisburg and later worked locally as a seamstress and waitress prior to retiring four years ago.

Surviving are a son, James Jr., of Stevens, Pa.; daughters, Lori Stafford, of Cleveland, Ohio, Wendy Stafford, of Lewistown; and Amanda Naberezny, of Exeter; six grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a brother, Vaughn Yeater, of Lewistown.

Memorial donations to the Sweet Valley Ambulance Association, PO Box 207, Sweet Valley, PA 18656.