Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Lovisa Sheard Gossman
Lovisa Sheard Gossman, 106, Boyds Mills, Damascus Township, died of natural causes Monday, March 11, 2002 at Wayne Woodlands Manor, Waymart. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph A. Gossman, August 6, 1961.
Mrs. Gossman was born December 8, 1895 in Calkins and was the daughter of the late George and Blanche Crocker Sheard. Affectionately known as ³aunt Vi², she graduated from Damascus High School and Bloomsburg Normal School in 1914. She taught for seven years before taking a job in Washington, DC, during World War I. When a disastrous flu epidemic broke out, she headed for Chicago, IL, where she obtained a job as a secretary.
In 1922, she and a cousin decided to see the country by train, an escapade uncommon at the time. The pair saw much of the United States, only stopping for a time to get a job when the money ran out. Once she returned home, she went to work as a secretary in New York City for the next 23 years. She and her husband built a home in Boyds Mills when his health began to fail.
In Wayne County, she worked as a substitute teacher before joining the staff at Highlights for Children.
During her lifetime, aunt Vi lived in three centuries, from the horse and buggy to a man on the moon, to a tool of instant worldwide communication through satellites. She lived alone and cared for herself until the age of 103.
Surviving are nieces, Janet Loring, RN, Cynthia Henry, Joan Green, Elizabeth Iloff and Ann Kinsman, all of Honesdale; nephews, Grant Sheard of Boyds Mills, Garry Sheard of Clakins and George Sheard of Colorado; great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephew; and two great-great-great-nieces.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Florence Warren and Sylvia Robinson; and three brothers, William, Frank and Floyd Sheard.
Interment, Calkins Cemetery, Damascus Township.
Funeral arrangements are by the Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St., Honesdale.
Louis W. Paynter
Louis W. Paynter, 67, Honesdale, died Friday, November 29, 2002 at the JFK Medical Center, Atlantis, FL, following an illness. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, the former Kathleen "Kay" Frances O'Neill.
Mr. Paynter was born at the family homestead in Honesdale, and was the son of the late Albert William and Elizabeth Farrell Paynter. He was a graduate of the Honesdale Catholic High School, Class of 1933 and a member of St. Mary Magdalen's Parish, Honesdale. On October 1, 1936, he began a 44-year career with the F.W. Woolworth Company working as a stock-boy for the Honesdale store. He had some nine years of retail store experience, including three as store manager before he entered the US Army during World War Il.
Due to his background in assigning personnel, he graduated from the Army's Culinary School in Fort Riley, KS. Following the war, he return to Woolworth's and through the years received promotions such as District Manager in South Jersey for the Mid-Atlantic Region; in 1959 Regional Merchandise Manager for Department 340 and joined the Executive Office Staff in 1962. He later was appointed Assistant Director of Restaurant Operation and Director of Personnel in 1970 and in 1975 was vice President of Restaurant operations until retiring.
He and his wife divided their retirement time between their hometown of Honesdale and their residence in FL. He enjoyed fishing and boating and golfing, belonging to the Honesdale Golf Club since 1971. The couple also loved to travel, a pleasure they had not had sufficient time for in the past.
Also surviving are a sister, Marguerite Kneisel, Scranton; a brother-in-law, Robert J. O'Neill and his wife, Lucille, Honesdale; and several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Julia Megivern in 2000.
Interment, St. Mary Magdalen's Cemetery.
Arrangements made by Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St., Honesdale, PA 18431.
Frank Ratay
Frank Ratay, 80, Lake Ariel, died Sunday morning, December 1, 2002 at the Moses-Taylor Hospital, Scranton following a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, the former Helen Pappas.
Mr. Ratay was the son of the late Frank and Kathryn Miaso Ratay Sr. He was a graduate of the former Olyphant High School and was a chef by trade until he retired. He was a good husband, Father, and grandfather and was a member of St. Mary's Church at Ledgedale. In his younger days he was a volunteer for the Olyphant Fire Company.
Also surviving are two sons, Jeff Ratay and wife Dana, Kaneohe, Hawaii; Jim Ratay and wife Pamela, Spokane, WA; two daughters, Mrs. Kim (Carol) Hemphill, Spokane, WA; Ann Marie and husband, Robert Powell, Sheatown; three sisters, Mary Metschulat, Dunmore; Helen Vanderberg and Angela Stefurski, both of Peckville; four grandchildren, Cara Powell, Joshua Ratay, Craig Hemphill and Emily Ratay; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Josephine Ratay and Ann Syp; four brothers, John, Joseph, Stanley and Michael Ratay.
Internment, St. Mary's Cemetery.
Arrangements made by Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St., Honesdale, PA 18431.
Mary Elizabeth Masker
Mary Elizabeth Masker, 43, Honesdale, formerly of Hawley and Waymart, died Tuesday, November 26, 2002 in Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, following an illness.
Ms. Masker was born in Middletown, NY, and was the daughter of Marion Masker, Carbondale, and the late Everett Masker. She was a cashier at Wal-Mart, Honesdale. She was a member of Post 531 VFW Auxiliary, Honesdale.
Also surviving are a daughter, Blanche Warfield, Scranton; two sons, Jason Masker, Scranton; Michael Masker, Scranton; four sisters, Gloria Eck, Honesdale; Darlene Bidwell, White Mills; Penny Rowe, White Mills; Bonnie Masker, Carbondale; three brothers, Richard Masker, White Mills; Robert Masker, Honesdale; Theodore Masker, Carbondale; two grandchildren, Felicia and Casandra Warfield, Scranton; companion, Peter Hansen, Honesdale.
Cremation, Maple Hill at Salem, Archbald.
Arrangements made by Teeters' Funeral Chapel, 505 Church St., Hawley, PA 18428.
Robert L. Holbert Sr.
Robert L. Holbert Sr., 80, Lackawaxen, died Sunday, December 1, 2002, at home following an illness. He was predeceased by his wife, the former Ann Marie Kievit.
Mr. Holbert was born in Tusten, NY, and was the son of the late Laverne and Margaret Brick Holbert. He did excavation and construction for Holbert & Kuhn. He was in the Army during WW II. He was a member of VFW Post 5635, Lackawaxen; and St. Mark¹s Lutheran Church, Lackawaxen. He was an active snowmobiler, hunter and fisherman.
Also surviving is a daughter, Ruth Ann McCloon, New Port Richey, FL; a son, Robert L. Holbert Jr., Lackawaxen; six grandchildren, Patrick, Lee, Michlle, Matthew, Corey, Christopher; three great-grandchildren, Amanda, Matthew, Ty; two sisters, Theresa McGee, Staten Island, NY; and Mary Seeley, Warwick, NY.
Interment, Holbert Cemetery, Lackawaxen.
Arrangements made by Teeters' Funeral Chapel, 505 Church St., Hawley, PA 18428.
John W. Masker
John W. Masker, 64, White Mills, died Monday, December 2, 2002 after an illness. He is survived by his wife, the former Gloria Ann Blockberger.
Mr. Masker was born in Honesdale, and was the son of Grace Goodwin Masker, Honesdale and the late Ed Masker. He was a machine operator for Loveshaw Printing before his recent illness. He was a member of the Central United Methodist Church, Honesdale. He loved fishing and wood crafting.
Also surviving are two daughters, Roxanne Lynn Bowen and husband James, Honesdale; Jacqueline Minnick and fiance Frank Piorkowski, Alton, NH; one brother, William Masker, Livingston Manor, NY; four grandchildren, Aresa Minnick, Honesdale; Juli Minnick, Alton, NH; Ralph Minnick, Alton, NH; and James Bowen, Honesdale; one great-grandson, Dylan Card, Honesdale.
Arrangements made by Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, 1228 North Main St., Honesdale, PA 18431.
Lois Faye Wilkins
Lois Faye Wilkins, 71, Honesdale, died Tuesday, December 3, 2002 in the Community Medical Center, Scranton, after a short Illness. She is survived by her husband, Morris B. Wilkins.
Mrs. Wilkins was born In Stroudsburg, and was the daughter of the late Harry and Mary White Weitz. A resident of Honesdale for more then 40 years, Mrs. Wilkins for decades was instrumental in the inspiration and support of her husband's contributions to Caesars Pocono Resorts - Cove Haven, Paradise Stream, Pocono Palace and Brookdale - and the Poconos' tourism and hospitality Industries.
She was well-known in the community for her kindness, dedication and participation in community and charity organizations and events over the years. She was an active member of Hadassah, Temple Beth Israel and its Sisterhood, Honesdale. Her personal interests included gourmet cooking as well as traveling to visit her loving family and friends.
Also surviving is a son, Michael C. Wilkins, Los Vegas, NV; two daughters, Lori Immerman, Los Angeles, CA; Jill Wilkins, Chevy Chase, MD; three grandchildren, twins Jared and Jordan Immerman and Harry Kaplan.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Weitz.
Interment, Beth Israel Cemetery, Honesdale.
Arrangements made by Ziman Funeral Home, Inc. 612 Gibson St., Scranton, PA 18510.
Bryan Scott Alexander
Bryan Scott Alexander, 21, Honesdale, died Monday, December 2, 2002 at the Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, unexpectedly in an auto accident near Middletown, NY.
He was born in Pequannock, NJ, and was the son of Thomas Alexander, Peoria, AZ, and Deborah Impsen Shuman, Honesdale. He was a graduate of the Honesdale High School Class of 2000 and was a crew chief for the high school junior dragsters under teacher Joe Macey. He was employed as a carpenter apprentice in the housing industry under Sheldon Smith, Contractor.
Also surviving is a step- Father, Todd Shuman, Honesdale; a step-mother, Chris Alexander; maternal grandmother, Marion Impsen, Boynton Beach, FL; paternal grandparents, William and Mary Alexander, Bloomingdale, NJ; step-grandmother, Elfie Shuman, Honesdale; four brothers, Thomas Alexander Jr., Throop; Donald and Kyle Housell and Tyler Alexander, Peoria, AZ; one sister, Ashley Alexander, Peoria, AZ; aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Daniel Impsen; and step-grandfather, Ronald Shuman.
Stephen S. Arancio
Stephen S. Arancio, 90, Beach Lake, died Wednesday, December 4, 2002 at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale. He was predeceased by his wife, Lula Arancio, in 1990.
Mr. Arancio was born in New York, NY, and was the son of the late Stefano and Maria Anna Navarra Arancio. He was a retired commercial artist for W.H. Lackey Co. of New York City and a resident of the area since 1968. He was a veteran of the US Army Air Corp., having served during WWII.
Surviving are two children, Maryanne Quinn and her husband Robert, Beach Lake; and Richard Arancio and his wife Darlene, Staten Island, NY; one sister, Mary Messano, Naples, FL; three grandchildren, Robert Quinn, Jr., Stephanie Quinn and Craig Arancio; several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers.
Arrangements made by Rasmussen sons Inc. Funeral Home, Narrowsburg, NY 12764.
Clara Lynum Barron Sasara
Clara Lynum Barron Sasara, 84, Chenago Forks, NY, formerly of Susquehanna County, died Sunday, January 26, 2003 at the home of her daughter in New Milford. She was predeceased by her first husband, William Gray Barron, in 1986; and husband, Leonard J. Sasara, in 1994.
Mrs. Sasara was born in the Philippines, and was the daughter of the late John William and Alejandra Aguilar Lynum. She was raised by nuns of the Order of the Good Shepherd in Manila and obtained her US citizenship at the age of 19.
She was a seamstress, who worked for clothing manufacturers and retired from the former RCM Dress factory in New Milford. She was a member of the Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488, Lenox, Ladies Auxiliary; and loved music, dancing, and gardening with her children.
Surviving are three daughters and son-in-laws, Miriam and husband, Reinhold Greb, Blooming Grove, Barbara and husband, Douglas Barnhart, Brackney, Judith and husband, Gary Millard, New Milford; three sons and daughter-in-laws, William Gray Jr. and Arlene Barron, Lindley, NY, John Carl and Colleen Barron, Endwell, NY, Paul Richard and Judy Baron, Lindley, NY; a daughter-in-law, Diane Barron, Heart Lake; a sister, Thelma Susbilla, Carson City, CA; 24 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Robert I. Barron, in 1986.
Nicholas J. Ortolano
Nicholas J. Ortolano, 73, of Shohola, died Sunday, February 2, 2003 at Wayne Woodland Manor, Waymart. He was a member of St. Ann's Church, Shohola. He was a retired projectionist for Local #306, New York City, NY and recently was a greeter at Wal-Mart. Mr. Ortolano was a U.S. Navy Korean War Veteran.
Born in Astoria, NY, he son of the late Frank and Elaine Malorino Ortolano. He was married to the late Joann H. Camastra Ortolano.
Survivors include two sons, Jason Ortalano of Greeley, and Nicholas Joseph Ortolano, Jr. and his wife Lee, Jacksonville, FL; two daughters, Dominique Ortolano, Greeley, and Corrine Helt and her husband Andrew, Hawley; and four grandchildren Jamie, Jennifer, Nicholas III, and Gloria.
Internment, Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, NY.
Arrangements by Stroyan Funeral Home, Inc., 405 West Harford St., Milford,
Patrick J. Smith
Patrick J. Smith, 60, Clarks Summit, formerly of Honesdale, died Friday, January 31, 2003 at the Mercy Hospital, Scranton, following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Smith was born in the Bronx, NY, and was the son of the late Charles S. and Rita A. McClure Smith. He attended the Honesdale School System, worked for the Human Resource Center, Honesdale and was employed at Cordaro¹s Restaurant before moving to Clarks Summit. He was a former member of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Honesdale.
Surviving are two brothers, Charles T. and wife, Evelyn Smith, Honesdale, Anthony and wife, Vickie Smith, Gilesonton, FL; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Smith.
Interment, Indian Orchard Cemetery, Texas Township.
Arrangements made by Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St., Honesdale, PA 18431.
Jerome Land
Jerome Land, 62, Waymart and Bonita Springs, FL, died Tuesday, February 4, 2003, while at North Collier Hospital, Naples, FL. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, the former Jeanne Marie Piazza, Scranton.
Mr. Land was born in Scranton, and was the son of Jeannette Gellar Land, Scranton, and the late Monroe Land. He was schooled in Scranton and attended Valley Forge Military Academy. In 1975, he established Jerry Land Jewelers, a family jewelry store located on Main St., Honesdale, which is proudly owned and operated today by his son and daughter. He retired last year to Bonita Springs, FL, to enjoy more time with his wife.
He was an avid fisherman, collector of classic cars and enjoyed spending time at Elk Lake, Waymart, with his family and especially his grandchildren. Many would stop into his store just to hear a story from him or to take a gander at his latest ³big catch² mounted on the wall. He contributed to his community and various organizations throughout his life.
Also surviving is a brother, Stuart Land, Norristown; a daughter, Amy Sullum, Honesdale; a son, William Land, Honesdale; four grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Interment, Temple Israel, Dunmore Cemetery.
Arrangements made by Ziman Funeral Home, 612 Gibson St., Scranton, PA.
