First Posted: 4/11/2013 11:19:00 AM
ASHBRIDGE – Ernest “Ernie” Jr., 82, of Shavertown, died Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at his residence. He was born Nov. 27, 1930 in Nanticoke, attended the Garrison Memorial High School in Shickshinny, Wilkes College where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in business administration, the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin and the New Jersey Bankers Data Processing School.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1949 to 1953 as a medic corpsman, second class, on troop transport ships. He received the Navy Good Conduct Medal and the Asia Navy Occupation Medal.
Before retiring in 1994, he worked as the vice president and controller for the Hanover Bank of Pennsylvania for 41 years. Following his retirement, he became a licensed auctioneer, conducting estate appraisals and sales.
His time and energy were shared with the following groups: Hanover Green Cemetery Association, Back Mountain Library Board, Wilkes-Barre Kiwanis, Landmark Lodge No. 442 F&AM, Bloomsburg Consistory, Irem Temple and the Arab Patrol, Kingston Township, Police Pension Fund, Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 Board, West Side Vocational Technical School Board, Dallas School Board for 32 years and where he served as president for two consecutive terms and the Shavertown United Methodist Church.
He also worked as an instructor for banking principles for the American Institute of Banking and as a part-time instructor of banking at Luzerne County Community College.
In 2012, he celebrated 55 years of volunteering with the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction where he served as a long-standing member of the library antiques committee and as chairman of the antiques auction for many years.
Surviving are his wife of 60 years, the former Betty Lewis, RN; son, Ernest III, Berwick; daughter, Robin Carson, West Chester; three grandchildren; sister, Mary Phillips, New Hope; nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations to the Back Mountain Memorial Library, 96 Huntsville Road, Dallas, PA 18612.
HADSALL – Margaret M., 86, of Harveys Lake, died Monday, April 8, 2013, at the home of her daughter, Beverly Cox, in Clarks Summit.
She was born in Kingston and graduated from Dallas High School, class of 1944. She was an office manager and bookkeeper, retiring from Crescomm Inc., Fairfield, N.J. She was an office manager for JED Distributing and ALSPED Inc., both manufacturer representation firms in the Fairfield, N.J., area before her tenure with Crescomm.
Surviving, in addition to her daughter, are sons, Richard A. Miami, Fla.; Robert A., Harveys Lake; David J., Lebanon, N.J.; 10 grandsons, two step-granddaughters, seven great-grandchildren, sister, Evelyn Shultz, Dallas; brother, David J. Roberts, Kingston; cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations to the Harveys Lake Fire and Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 56, Harveys Lake, PA 18618.
KACHMAR – Elizabeth W., 95, of Shavertown, died Friday, April 12, 2013, at her home.
She was born in Kingston on Aug. 18, 1917, attended Kingston schools and was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville.
Surviving are daughters, Dorothy Lapasnick, Dallas; Elizabeth Ridolpho, Albuquerque, N.M.; Marie Preston, Sayre; Elaine Michaels, Lehman Township; Dolores Cooper, Plains Township; sons, Andrew J., Shavertown; Michael, Avon, Conn.; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister, Ethel Watlock, Titusville, Fla.; brother, Edward Wallol, Lehman Township; nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
McDOWELL – Eileen C., 88, of Dallas, died Friday, April 12, 2013, at Mercy Center, Dallas.
She attended St. Ann’s Academy and was a graduate of St. Nicholas High School, Wilkes-Barre, class of 1942, and College Misericordia, class of 1946. She was a renowned musician in the local area and taught music at West Wyoming School District. She was a member of the music faculty at College Misericordia and was an organist at St. Nicholas Church in her college years. She was also an organist at the former St. Dominic’s Church, Wilkes-Barre.
In 1960, she became director of liturgical music at St. Theresa’s Church, Shavertown, until 1989. Later, she became organist and choir director at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Carverton. Eileen was a member of the Scranton Symphony. She also studied the violin in New York City.
Surviving are a son, Gerard, Trucksville; daughters, Katherine Fertal, Shavertown; Nora Gallup, Shavertown; eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations to St. Theresa’s Church, 64 Davis St., Shavertown, PA 18708, the Back Mountain Memorial Library, 96 Huntsville Road, Dallas, PA 18612, or Mercy Center, Lake Street, Dallas, PA 18612.
MONTROSS – George C., 87, of Monroe Township, died Monday, April 8, 2013, at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
He was born in Monroe Township on Nov. 9, 1925, and served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II on a B-29 bomber.
He was employed by Luzerne Motor Co. for 20 years and later retired from Procter & Gamble Paper Products, Mehoopany, in 1986.
He attended the River of Life Fellowship, Lehman, and was a member of the Patriotic Brotherhood of America.
Surviving are his wife, Phyllis Kocher Langston Montross; son, Alan George, Wilmington, Del.; stepsons, Tim Langston, Mountain Top; and Tony Langston, Allentown; stepdaughter, Teresa Everetts, Monroe Township; two grandchildren; five step-grandchildren.
Memorial donations to the River of Life Fellowship, 22 Outlet Road, P.O. Box 21, Lehman, PA 18627.
OLSON – Charles W., 65, of Noxen and formerly of Bear Creek and the Hudson section of Plains Township, died Monday, April 8, 2013, at his home.
He was born in Wilkes-Barre on May 11, 1947, and was formerly employed at JG Bedwick Scrap Yard, Nationwide Tire, International Color Printing Co. and Bridon American. He retired from Mideast Aluminum, Mountain Top.
Surviving are his wife of 44½ years, Linda Searfoss Olson; daughter, Kimberly Appenzeller, Florida; sons, Charles William, Noxen; and David Martin, Noxen; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers, William, Hudson; John, Wilkes-Barre; and Joseph, Wilkes-Barre; sisters, Ann Marie and Marion Ostopick, Parsons; nieces and nephews.
STEARNS – Richard D., 56, of Kingston Township, died Monday, April 8, 2013, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
He was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and was a 1975 graduate of New London High School, New London, Iowa.
After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He previously had been employed by the former Techneglas Inc. of Pittston and more recently worked for L. T. Verrastro Inc., Old Forge.
Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Deborah Stearns, Kingston Township; daughters, Joey Lyn, Kingston Township; and Pebbles Whalen, Shavertown; one grandson; sisters, Virginia Hill, Patricia Nolte and Shelley Bechtel, all of Iowa; nieces and nephews.
SWAN – Helen R., 100, of Idetown, died Monday, April 8, 2013, at the Meadows Nursing Center, Dallas.
She was born in Dallas on Jan. 1, 1913, and graduated from Dallas Township High School in 1931. She attended Noxen Bible Baptist Church.
Surviving are her son, Kenneth D., Idetown; sister, Liva Harris, Dallas; two grandchildren; one great-stepgranddaughter.
Memorial donations to the Noxen Bible Baptist Church, 3622 State Route 29, Noxen, PA 18636.
WOLFE – Katherine, of Shavertown, died Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.
She was born and raised in Forty Fort, graduated from Forty Fort High School, class of 1939, and Wyoming Seminary Dean School of Business. She also took courses at New York School of Interior Design and Penn State University. Prior to her marriage, she had been employed by an industrial Realtor.
She was a member of Bennett Presbyterian Church, Luzerne.
Surviving are nieces.
Memorial donations to Bennett Presbyterian Church, Bennett Street, Luzerne, PA 18704.
