Helen Marie Eckrote, 98, a lifelong resident of Avoca, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Oak Ridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Taylor. She was born in Avoca on May 2, 1928, and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Elizabeth (Sheerer) Frew. Helen was a member of Queen of the Apostles Parish Church in Avoca and a graduate of Avoca High School, Class of 1946. She worked as a seamstress throughout her life in the local garment industry and retir

Elwood W. Richards, 90, of Pittston, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, Wednesday, July 15th, 2026. Born in Pittston, he was the son of the late Elwood C. Richards and Dorothy Tigue Richards. He was a graduate of Pittston Central Catholic and Wilkes-Barre Business College. He had worked in the Computer Room for HarperCollins Publishers, until retirement. Elwood was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a very passionate fan of Notr

Some people leave behind memories. Nancy Jean Keiderling left behind evidence. Evidence in the blankets that continue to warm generations of babies. In the flowers her grandchildren learned to give because she took them shopping—not just for their mom, but for anyone they loved. In friendships that began in high school and lasted a lifetime, proving that family is often chosen as much as it is born. Nancy had a remarkable gift for remembering people. She carried the liv

William J. Kroptavich, 85, of Duryea, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Born in Duryea on January 19, 1941, he was the son of the late John and Edna (Abent) Kroptavich. William was a graduate of Duryea High School, Class of 1959. He retired as a self-employed contractor and owner of Bill Kroptavich Construction, through which he built several residential homes locally. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. In addition to his pare

Margaret Joyce (O’Malley) Volch, 84, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore. She was born in Avoca on October 17, 1941, and was the daughter of the late James F. O’Malley and Mary Linnen O’Malley. Margaret was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Church until its closing and was a graduate of Avoca High School, Class of 1960. She worked at Smith’s Restaurant in Scranton for 10 years and later worked at McDonald’s in Moosic, where she retir

Gary W. Herrmann, 69, of Pittston Twp., passed away on Friday July 10, 2026 at Allied Services Hospice Center, Scranton. He was born in Pittston, October 29, 1956, and was the son of the late Waldo and Bertha (Hatmaker) Herrmann. Private funeral services were held at Memorial Shrine Cemetery, Wyoming. Arrangements are made by Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc. 255 McAlpine St. Duryea. #Herrmann

Ann Marie Kiselevach, 90, of Pittston, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on Friday, July 3, 2026. Born in Pittston on June 14, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Austin and Elizabeth (Francioso) Sabetta. Ann Marie was a graduate of Pittston High School and later retired from Pittston Apparel after many years of dedicated employment. She will be remembered for the life she shared with her family and the lasting love she leaves behind. Ann Marie was reunited

Lois G. Wolfe, 84, of Duryea, passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Scranton on May 10, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Russell Stone Matthews and Helen Biggar Matthews. Lois was a lifelong and active member of Langcliffe Presbyterian Church, Avoca. She was a graduate of Duryea High School, Class of 1960, and the Pittston Hospital Nursing Program, Class of 1963. Lois was

Sometimes the end of life doesn't bring just sadness. Sometimes circumstances lead to feelings that were and always will be more complicated than only that. In those times it is best to try to remember, cherish, and learn from any positivity that came from that life. Diane Kivak, born February 22, 1962, to father and mother Stanley and Romaine Gaik, was a complicated yet incredible person. She passed away on June 27th, 2026, at the age of 64. She had many qualities and perso

Joseph E. Chiumento, 91, of Jenkins Twp., passed away Tuesday morning June 30, 2026, at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, surrounded by his family. Born in Yatesville, he was the son of the late John and Mary Martino Chiumento. He was a graduate of Jenkins Twp. High School and honorably served in the US Army. Joe retired as a production supervisor, having worked for many years at Owens and Illinois and later Letica Corp. He enjoyed all sports, he was especially a fan of Penn Sta

Carol Suriano, 70, passed away peacefully with her loving family around her on June 28, 2026. She resided at the Anthracite Apartments and was born in Pittston on November 24, 1955. Carol was a 1973 graduate of Pittston Area High School. Following graduation, she went to work for Leslie Faye Companies. Upon her retirement and being named the “cool aunt” she put all her love in the next generations. Her nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews will cherish the mo

Frank Michael (“Frankie”) Marriggi Jr., of Pittston, Pennsylvania, formerly of Avoca, passed away peacefully at his home on June 21, 2026. Born on May 18th, 1981, Frank was the beloved son of Frank & Marybeth Cituk Marriggi. Frankie served his country with great honor in the USAF, including his service in Iraq. He was smart, honorable and beyond caring, and he took all of that with him in his dedication to his military services. More than anything in this world, Frankie mad

Sarah A. Buynak, 85 of Highland Manor, Exeter, passed away peacefully Thursday evening June 18, 2026. Born in Pittston and raised in West Pittston, she was the daughter of the late David Erwin Carey and Helen Margaret McHale Carey. Sarah, was a loving daughter, sister, and wife, for many years she took care of her mother. She adored her nieces and nephews and was a big part of their lives, she was crafty and especially enjoyed making Christmas ornaments. She also enjoyed bein

Dionisios Vervitsiotis, 79, of Scranton, PA, passed away at home on June 10, 2026. Born December 21, 1946, in Corfu, Greece, to the late Spiridon and Eleni (Bounia) Vervitsiotis, he served in the Hellenic Navy, later making his home in Scranton. He worked various jobs including at the Aegean Restaurant in West Scranton, and Cleveland Tankers/Ashland Oil in Milwaukee, WI. He is survived by his son Dionisios, and wife Christine, and granddaughter Eleni, of Alderwood Manor, WA

Harry J. Reese - in his 98th year, a resident of West Falls for 65 years, passed Friday, June 12, 2026, at CMC Scranton from complications of pneumonia. He was a Lab Technician for Woodlawn Dairy, Scranton, from 1948 – 1983, and served with the 82nd Airborne in Fairbanks, AK, after graduating from Avoca High School. He also worked at P&G Mehoopany for a short time. Born on September 10, 1928, in Avoca, to Albert and Edith Arline Turner Reese, he was named after his grandpa

Helene E. Girman, 66, of Pittston, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville surrounded by loved ones. Born in Pittston on February 11, 1960, she was the daughter of Joseph Girman and the late Carole (Polachek) Graff. Helene was a graduate of Pittston Area High School, Class of 1978. Throughout her life, she was employed in various positions and always rose to the top. It wasn’t her careers that she found important, it was the peo

Marie Teresa Barnett, 93, of Avoca, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Sun Coast Hospice Care Center in Pinellas Park, Florida. Born in Avoca on December 28, 1932, she was the beloved daughter of the late James and Nellie (Brogan) Ryan. Marie was a faithful member of Queen of the Apostles Parish Church in Avoca and a graduate of Avoca High School. She will be remembered for the love she shared with her family and the many lives she touched throughout the years

Joan Theresa Walsh Brennan passed away peacefully at her home in Newtown, Pennsylvania, on June 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, on December 1, 1936, Joan was the daughter of the late Helen Kelly Walsh and Joseph Walsh. She attended Saint Ann’s Academy and Lackawanna College. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Joan dedicated much of her life to serving others through volunteer work supporting Catholic education

Hilda Tonkin Sartini, 84, of Plains, passed away Monday June 8, 2026, at Lakewood Healthcare Center, where she recently resided. Born in West Pittston, she was the daughter of the late Clyde Earl Tonkin, Sr. and Martha Beardsley Tonkin, she attended Exeter Schools and went on to be a CNA. Hilda worked for many Hospitals and Nursing Facilities, she spent the majority of her over 40-year career at Mercy Hospital, where she retired from the Skilled Nursing Department. In additio

Jean Marie Goham (Keenan), 91, of Pittston passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Allied Services Hospice Center. She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Pittston on September 19, 1934, to John and Helen (King) Keenan. Jean was a graduate of Saint John’s High School. She was a member of the Jacqueline’s at the Knights of Columbus, where she served as an auditor until 2025. She is survived by her children: Ned (Bonnie), Patrice (Patti), Ell