James D. DeGraba, 64 of Exeter, passed away Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Allied Services Hospice Center, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on January 2, 1962, he was the son of the late Dominic DeGraba and Clara Zurla DeGraba. Jimmy was a lifelong Exeter resident and a graduate of Wyoming Area High School. He was employed by Independent Graphics in Wyoming for more than 40 years, where he was a dedicated and dependable presence. Jimmy was truly valued by his cow

Catherine (Katie) Marie Clifford, 67, of Avoca, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital. Born in Avoca on November 25, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Marie (Cannon) Clifford. Katie was a proud graduate of Pittston Area High School, Class of 1976. She honorably served in the United States Air Force for four years stateside. Following her military service, she pursued a career in healthcare, attending school in S

Arlene D. Toole, 91, passed away on April 10, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, adventure and kindness. Born in Exeter on May 27, 1934, Arlene was the daughter of Leo and Anna Mercincavage Stankewicz. She was a graduate of Exeter High School. For many years, she was a familiar face in the local garment industry, contributing her talents to the garment factory with a strong work ethic. Arlene has now been reunited with the love of her life, Robert E. Toole, who passed

Joan Naugle of Pittston, Pennsylvania, passed away Wednesday April 8, 2026 with her family by her side after recently celebrating her 87th birthday. Joan lived a life defined by generosity, devotion, and love for her family and community. She had a heart larger than life, always putting others before herself. Whether it was giving the clothes off her back or making sure no one in the neighborhood went hungry, Joan’s kindness touched countless lives. Her home was a place of co

Elaine Blazosek, 77, of Avoca, Pennsylvania passed on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, PA. She is survived by her husband, Attorney Joseph M. Blazosek, sons, Michael Blazosek and his wife, Lori Blazosek, Suscon, David Blazosek, Dupont, Joseph Blazosek and his fiancé, Carisa Wruble, Duryea, Jason Blazosek and his significant other, Melody DeGaetano, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Attorney Christopher Blazosek, and his wife, Dr. Shannon O'Ma

Stephanie Doukas, of Pittston, passed away peacefully, Saturday April 4, 2026 at home. Born in Mahanoy City, PA on October 9, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Wilbur Perry and Rita Jean (Stephanie) Perry. She was a graduate of Mahanoy City High School. She was the 1963 Mahanoy City Centennial Queen. Stephanie started her calling of working in the bar business in New York City before relocating to Pittston, PA. For nearly 30 she owned and operated Stephanie’s Bar on Main

Ross Anthony Vender, 37, of Exeter, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 unexpectedly at home. Born on November 13, 1988 he was the son of Lisa Czyczerski Vender, of Exeter and the late Raymond L. Vender. Raised in Exeter, Ross graduated from Wyoming Area, Class of 2007. Ross was employed by Highland Manor, Exeter as a maintenance technician. In addition to his father he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ross and Anna (Moskaitis) Vender, maternal grandparents,

Adam Peter Rafalko, Jr., a resident of Dupont, entered into eternal rest on Friday April 3, 2026, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital, surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. Born in Scranton on October 4, 1951, he was the son of the late Adam and Dorothy (Ruselevitch) Rafalko. He graduated from Dunmore High School and went on to take culinary classes at LCCC. Adam worked as a chef at Mercy Hospital in Scranton until his retirement. Adam's faith and family

Florence Milazzo Lombardo, 81, formerly of West Pittston, passed away peacefully on Saturday April 4, 2026 at Tunkhannock Manor, where she resided. Born in Buffalo, N.Y. on July 24, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Leo Milazzo and Margaret Aquilina Milazzo. She was a graduate of Pittston High School and received her degree in Education from College Misericordia, after which she taught elementary school for several years before starting a family. Florence had a deep love

Mary Louise Fitzpatrick, 85, of Pittston, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026 in Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Inpatient Unit, Dunmore. Born in Pittston on March 1, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Louis Tuttilmond and Carmela (Nellie) Baiera Tuttilmond. She was a graduate of Pittston High School and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Wilkes Barre. She worked the majority of her years caring for the elderly at Valley Crest Nursing Home for 20 years, and then as a s

Deanna Zarzecki, age 45, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 25, 2026, surrounded by loved ones and family. She was born on May 22, 1980, in Suscon, Pennsylvania. Deanna was the daughter of the late Michael and Carol (Renfer) Zarzecki. She attended the University of Scranton where she majored in education, eventually earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Deanna was a kind and caring teacher who was truly born to teach. She taught at Delaware Valley High School

Dennis H. Kelly, 79, of Luzerne, passed away peacefully Wednesday March 25 2026 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Joseph and Helen (Green) Kelly and was a graduate of GAR Memorial High School, Wilkes-Barre. He worked as a quilter with Active Quilting, Plans Twp., for more than 31years until the factory unfortunately closed. He had also worked with Union Petroleum, Luzerne for 20 plus years. In addition to his parents, he

Colleen Ann Hogan, 73, of Trucksville PA passed on to the Great Irish Pub in the Sky, Thursday February 12, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. Colleen was a graduate of Saint Mary's High School 1970, College Misericordia 1974 with post graduate studies at Marywood University. She was a beloved grade school teacher at St. John Baptist de la Salle in Chillum, MD, Wyoming Area Catholic in Wyoming, PA and was a principal at Regis Academy in Swoyersville, PA. Colleen was hit

Mary Frances Schmidt, 96, of Pittston Township, left us and was embraced by the Lord on Tuesday March 31, 2026 at Highland Manor Nursing Home, Exeter, where she had been a resident. Previously resided at 210 S Township Blvd in Pittston Township for 86 happy years. Born in Pittston Township, she was the daughter of the late August Rotondaro and Esther Poilto Rotondaro. She was a graduate of Pittston Township High School and had worked in the local garment industry and afte

Dolores Ozark, 78, of Avoca, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 27, 2026. She was born in Taylor on November 5, 1947, and was the beloved daughter of the late Robert and Esther Thomas Burnside. A proud graduate of Northeast High School, Class of 1965, Dolores spent many years working in the local garment industry and in nursing care centers throughout the area. She retired in 2006 from Valley Crest Nursing Home, where she was employed as a dedicated and compassionate n

Martha Ferguson Kiesinger, 89, of Old Forge, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore, leaving behind a legacy of quiet love that will continue to be felt by all who knew her. She was born in Avoca on February 19, 1937, and was the daughter of the late Charles and Blanche Spencer Ferguson. Martha carried a presence that was unmistakably her own, peaceful, steady, and genuinely kind. To be in her presence was to feel a sense o

Jon J. Mertis, 80, of Wilkes-Barre passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25 2026, surrounded by his loving family at home. Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Harry ‘Pete’ and Jane (Brink) Mertis. He was a graduate of Elmer L Meyers High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College. He also served his country proudly in the US Navy. He worked for many years as a social worker with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at Retreat State Hospit

Juan Jaime Chavez Torres, born December 1, 1970, passed away at home March 24 2026, surrounded by family at the age of 56. He was the third child to the late Francisca Emilia Torres Sosa and Jesus Chavez Olivares. Juan is survived by his wife of 32 years, Beata J Chavez; his children, Beatriz Chavez Hawkinson, Michelle Chavez, and Ashley Chavez. He is also survived by his siblings, Nicolasa Torres, Felipe Torres, Martha Janette Torres, Jose Manuel Chavez Torres, Alfredo Chav

Kenneth J. Musto, 83, of Pittston and most recently Wesley Village, died Wednesday at Geisinger Wyoming Valley. Born November 27, 1942, in Pittston, he was the devoted son of the late John and “Day” Pasquariello Musto of Cork Lane. He was a graduate of Saint John’s High School class of 1960, and Kings College class of 1964. Kenneth proudly served in the Peace Corps station in the Ivory Coast. He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, St. Joseph Marello Parish, Pittsto

Bernadine A. Yesulitis Matechak, 85, formerly of Old Forge, passed away peacefully at Oak Ridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Taylor. Born on January 18, 1941, in Avoca, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Victoria (Kmiec) Yesulitis. Bernadine was a longtime woman of faith. She was a former member of SS. Peter and Paul Church in Avoca and a devoted member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Dupont. A proud graduate of Avoca High School, Class of 1958, she wen