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Hazen, Gilbert   August 3, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

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Lipko, Michael J.   July 30, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

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Swetter, Bernard F.   July 25, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

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Puntar, John "Jack"   June 25, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

John “Jack” Puntar, 96, of Forest City, died Thursday evening at the Forest City Nursing Center.  He is the husband of the former Margaret Murnock.  They were married for 62 years.   

Born June 25, 1913, in Forest City, son of the late Frank and Fenie Krebel Puntar.  He was a member of St. Michael's Church, Forest City.  He was a retired coal miner and factory worker. 

Also surviving are a sister Delores Richards and husband Bill, Forest City and brother Bill Puntar and wife Alice, Vandling; nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by sisters Frances and Angeline; an infant sister Mary, and brothers Frank and Henry. 

Funeral will be Monday at 9:30 am from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am from St. Joseph's Church, Forest City.  Interment in St. John's Cemetery, Forest City.  

Viewing on Sunday from 6-8 pm.

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Pauswinski, Michael J.   June 23, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

Michael J. Pauswinski, 69, of Thompson and formerly of Vandling, died Tuesday morning at Barnes Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna. His wife of 29 years is the late Ann Marie Laguzzi Pauswinski, who died in 1996. 

Born July 7, 1939, in Carbondale, son of the late Michael N. and Anna Marie Tomaszewski Pauswinski. Michael was a graduate of Forest City Regional High School and a member of Sacred Heart Church, Forest City. He was a veteran of the Navy and served during the Cuban Conflict. He was employed at Doyle and Roth Manufacturing Company for 24 years, Simpson and was a past president of their steel workers union. He was also a past member of the Forest City Lions Club. He liked to garden and was talented at woodworking, he also loved to cook. He was a loving father and grandfather and was especially proud of his grandkids. Michael had a great sense of humor and he had a nickname for everyone. He will be greatly missed.    

Surviving are two sons Michael, Vandling and Joseph, Forest City; three daughters Ann Marie Pauswinski, Scranton, Donna Stanfort, Thompson, and Theresa Sheldon, Thompson; a sister Patricia Laguzzi, Forest City; grandchildren Elizabeth, Ruth, Lori, Trisha, Joey, Emily, Justin, Anna, and Chayce; several nieces and nephews.        

He was preceded in death by 1 grand daughter April.

Funeral will be Friday at 9:30 am from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am from Sacred Heart Church, Forest City. Interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Forest City.   

Viewing on Thursday from 6-8 pm.

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Trainor, Marion E.   April 28, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

Marion E. Trainor, 85, of Lakewood, died Tuesday evening at Wayne Memorial Hospital.  She was the widow of the late Bernard J. Trainor.

Born December 1, 1923, in Lakewood, she was the daughter of the late James and Sarah Sutcliffe Watson.  She was a member of St. James Church and it's Altar and Rosary Society, Pleasant Mount.  She was a graduate of Preston High School and she attained her RN from Mt. Sinai Hospital, Philadelphia, and was a post graduate of Boston Lying In Hospital, Boston.  She was a retired Lieutenant and veteran of the US Navy.  Marion worked in Hancock Hospital, Boston Lying In Hospital, and later in Bryn Mawr Hospital, where she was head of the maternity ward.  Marion was in charge of the St. Juliana's Flea Market, she made pirogies with the ladies from St. James Church, and she was a talented quilter.  She was a fan of the Eagles and Phillies and the Pennsylvania Lottery.  She enjoyed fishing and playing BINGO.  Her best pal was her dog Pepper.

She is survived by a brother Dr. James P. Watson, Uniondale and a sister Dolores I. McCusker, Pleasant Mount, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a sister Inez Tierney, a brother Barry Watson, and a niece Fawn Watson.

Funeral will be Friday at 9:30 am from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am from St. James Church, Pleasant Mount.  Interment in St. Juliana's Cemetery, Rock Lake. 

Viewing on Thursday from 5-8 pm.

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Wisekal, Margaret G.   April 25, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

Margaret G. Wisekal, 88, of Forest City, died Saturday evening at the Forest City Nursing Home.  She was the widow of the late Emil J. Wisekal who died in 1968.

Born December 16, 1920, in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Catherine Beach Gaines.  Margaret was a graduate of NYC public Schools and of Catholic faith.  Prior to retirement she worked in customer relations for Long Island Lighting Company.  Before coming to Forest City, she resided in Fayetteville, NC and Long Island, NY.  In her spare time she enjoyed volunteering.  She liked to crochet and do all kinds of crafting projects and she was an avid traveler.  She will be greatly missed by her family.

Surviving are two daughters, Peggy Fitzgerald, San Antonio, TX and Joan Tega, Drums.  Three sons, James, Browndale, Robert, Arlington, VA, and Emil, East Setauket, NY; four sisters Anne, Grace, Ceal, and Rita.; 18 Grandchildren, 23 Great Grandchildren, and two Great-Great Grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a grandson Timothy Fitzgerald.

Funeral will be Thursday at 9:30 am from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City.  Interment in Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY.  Viewing Tuesday 7-9 pm and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9.

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Ignatovich, Lois L.   March 19, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

Lois L. Ignatovich, 89, of Pleasant Mount, died Thursday afternoon at Ellen Memorial Healthcare Center, Honesdale. She was the widow of the late Joseph P. Ignatovich, Jr. who died August 26, 1998.

Born June 27, 1919 in Dunmore, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Lillian Keast Hoffman. She was a member of St. James Church and its Altar and Rosary Society, a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Pleasant Mount Fire Hall. She loved to read and was a talented quilter. Lois was always there for her children. She was the best mom. 

Surviving are three daughters, Nancy Lewis and husband Robert, Pleasant Mount; Lois White and husband Dave, Wantage, NJ; and Lillian Weaver and husband Robert, Pleasant Mount; two sons, Joseph Ignatovich and wife Teeky, Long Island and Edward Ignatovich and wife Carolyn, Erie; a daughter-in-law, Janice Ignatovich, KY;  sister-in-laws Gerty Ignatovich, Lake Como and Rose Hoffman, Old Forge; 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.    

She was preceded in death by a son Timothy Ignatovich, three brothers, Charles, Sydney, and Edward Hoffman; a granddaughter Tina Ignatovich, and a great grandson baby Michael Nebzydoski.

Funeral will be Monday at 10:00 am from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. James Church, Pleasant Mount. Interment in St. James Cemetery, Pleasant Mount. Viewing Sunday from 6-8 pm.

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave, Scranton.

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Hayward, Glenn L.   March 16, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

Glenn L. Hayward, 66, of Greeley, died Monday at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY.  His companion is Frances Quail, Greeley.

Born November 14, 1942, in Dover, NJ, son of the late Perciel and Edna Kane Hayward.  He was a veteran of the US Army and a graduate of Dover High School.  He enjoyed fishing and hunting.  He will be greatly missed by his family.

Surviving are a son Glenn Quail, Honesdale and a daughter Ann Cabrera, Forest City; a sister Dolores Lyons, NC; 4 grand children Modesta, Joseph, Angela, and Angel III.

Cremation services are private from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, Forest City.

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Lahoda-Beautz, Nancy     March 16, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

Nancy Lahoda Beautz, 92, of Thompson, died Monday at the Forest City Nursing Center, where she was a resident for the past four and a half years.  She was the widow of the late Stanley “Slicky” Beautz. 

Born in Scranton on January 7, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Jacob and Kathryn Preama Lahoda.

Nancy lived in Scranton until the early 1930's when her family, due to hard times and the Great Depression bought a farm and moved to Thompson.  Times were hard but the family survived.  Nancy's fondest memories include swimming, bringing in the hay, and family picnics in the summer; Picking apples, potatoes, and “kapusta” (cabbage), and storing them for winter; and walking on snow as high as telephone poles in the winter.  She always said they had a comfortable home and her mother liked fine things like linens and beautiful hats. 

She was a graduate of Preston Park High School, met and married her husband, Stanley in 1937, and had her first son, Eugene, in 1938.  She put her ambition of becoming a nurse on hold and the family moved to New York City where work was plentiful in during WWII.  Her second son Michael was born in 1944, and in 1947 the family moved to Susquehanna where they owned and operated Sherman Lodge.  Her third son, Edmund, arrived in 1949 and after her husband died in 1954, she sold the lodge and moved to Thompson, where she began a 50 year career in real estate.  She loved the business, especially the people and their stories.  Nancy had a passion for feeding anyone who came to visit or do business.  Even dogs and other animals around Thompson knew they could find a meal at Nancy's home.  She didn't like to waste anything.

She always said the one thing she felt best about accomplishing in life was having her children, and the one thing she always wanted to do but didn't, was to become a pilot.  She was proud that her grand daughter, Alison, did learn to fly.

Her strong, generous, and sharp presence will be greatly missed, but remembered for the hard working, persevering values she instilled in us.  She was one of a kind, irreplaceable, and will be missed dearly.

She was a member of St. Paul's Church, Starrucca, Her family helped found St. Mary's Russian Cemetery, Thompson, where Nancy was instrumental in helping keep the cemetery beautiful.

The family would like to thank Jerry Franceski and the staff at the Forest City Nursing Center for their competent, thoughtful, and caring support.

Surviving are three sons, Eugene and wife Lynne, Binghamton, NY; Michael and wife Janet, CA; and Edmund and wife Carol, Uniondale; three brothers Henry, Thompson; Joseph, Cinnaminson, NJ; and Thomas, Boynton Beach, FL; eight grandchildren Liza, Eric, Sara, Luke, Alison, Matthew, Jacob, and Steven; four great grandchildren Isiah, Caroline, Melina, and Mischa.

She was preceded in death by three brothers: Nicholas, Steve, and William; and two sisters Anne Bilak and Helen Stack

Funeral will be Friday at 10:15 am from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Paul's Catholic Church, Starrucca.  Interment in St. Mary's Cemetery, Thompson.  Viewing Thursday from 5-8 pm.

Memorial contributions can be made in Nancy's name for care and maintenance to: St. Mary's Russian Cemetery, c/o Catherine Stack Staros, 25 Jefferson Ave, Thompson, PA 18465.

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Shivitz-Kazlauskas, Pauline February 28, 2009 [click here to email online condolence]

Pauline Shivitz Kazlauskas, 90, of Forest City, died Saturday at Osprey Ridge Rehabilitation Center, Carbondale. She was the wife of the late Alfonse Kazlauskas who died November 25, 1976.

Born, January 15, 1919, in Forest City, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary Swegel Shivitz. Pauline worked as a seamstress in Hawley and Forest City and retired from Forest City Manufacturing in October of 1981. She was a member of St. Joseph's Church and its KSKJ society. She attended daily Mass and afterwards loved to hit the local coffee shops with her niece and nephew where she met and talked with many friends. She enjoyed fishing with Al and later on in life met a dear friend, John Kresock, and they too enjoyed fishing together. Pauline came from a family that loves to sing and she critiqued every song, the harmony had to be right on every time. She lived for the many family gatherings where she presided over all as the family matriarch. Most evenings she enjoyed playing Yahtzee and Aggravation with her two sisters. Pauline maintained the family homestead in “Cowtown” where she was born and lived until November 2008 when she was hospitalized from a fall.

Aunt Polly will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by two sisters, Anne Pavlovich and Marge DeMark, both of Forest City; as well as their husbands Joe and Gus, a brother-in-law Stanley Stancavage, Finch Hill; 16 nieces and nephews, 51 great nieces and nephews; and several great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Oscar, and Joseph Shivitz; and three sisters Mary Maleckar, Sophie Sheroshek, and Gally Warner; a niece Mary Maleckar Parrillo; and a great nephew Jude Dennis.

Funeral will be Wednesday at 9:30am from the Kevin Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City. Interment in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Forest City. Viewing Tuesday from 4-8 pm.

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Chesnick, Julia M.   January 31, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

Julia M. Chesnick, 96, of Vandling, died Saturday morning at the Forest City Nursing Center. She was the wife of the late Edward Chesnick who died January 30, 2003.

Born February 13, 1912, in Forest City, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Louise Kusar Korosec.  She was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Forest City.  Before retirement, she was employed at the Pangee Dress Factory, Forest City.  She was an avid baker and everyone enjoyed her homemade potisa.  She was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother, and will be missed by all.

Surviving are two sons Thomas Chesnick and wife Carol, Vandling and Lawrence Chesnick and wife Patricia, Uniondale; two sisters Rose Fives, Browndale, and Sophie Lauriha, Fairless Hills; five grand children Thomas Chesnick, Karen Fitzsimmons, Kim Baileys, Megan Chesnick and Jonathan Chesnick, nine great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three brothers Frank, Paul, and Joseph Korosec and three sisters Anna Krantz, Mary Gniazdowski, and Margaret Mudrick.

Funeral will be Tuesday at 9:30am from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City.  Interment in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Forest City. Viewing Monday from 4 - 7 pm.

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Walsh, M. Dorothy   January 21, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

M. Dorothy Walsh, 77, of Forest City, died Wednesday evening at the James Lawrence Kernan Hospital, Baltimore, MD after battling brain cancer. She was the wife of the late Gerard Walsh who died in 1972.

Born, December 13, 1931, in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Margaret Franco Hynes. Dorothy was a member of St. Agnes Church, Forest City. She was a former elementary school secretary of the Forest City Regional School District from 1973 to 1998, after retirement she devoted herself full time to volunteer activities in her community and church.

In the late 1970s and mid-1980s, Mrs. Walsh was responsible for bringing Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen and Mother Teresa of Calcutta to Northeastern PA as featured guest speakers at events she also organized. In 1982, she traveled to Italy and was a guest at the Vatican of the Vicar General of His Holiness Pope John Paul II. She wrote extensively on religious issues, and was a featured columnist for The Forest City News. She also contributed a chapter for a book featuring the writings of Catholic women.

Mrs. Walsh was a past president of the Scranton Apostolate for the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, and she also worked tirelessly to promote prolife issues. In 1998, she initiated a weekly Holy Hour, which became known as the Divine Mercy Prayer Group, that met every Thursday in one of the churches of the Roman Catholic Community of Forest City. She was very active in her parish, and was a longtime lector and former religious education teacher.

Mrs. Walsh was a member of the Catholic Radio Advisory Board in the Diocese of Scranton, working to ensure that northeastern Pennsylvania had access to quality Catholic radio programming. Mrs. Walsh was a great friend and supporter of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Dunmore, chairing a fundraising bike-a-thon and helping to raise awareness of the Sisters’ work and the Holy Family Residence.  She was a former volunteer at Ronald McDonald House in Scranton, PA, and was a frequent organizer of pilgrimages to religious sites and events.

Mrs. Walsh was an active, lifelong volunteer in her church and community, but she treasured her role as a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother above all others. She believed that sharing her faith with her family was her greatest achievement.

Surviving are two sons Gerard and wife Irene Walsh, Owings Mills, MD  and Michael and wife Maureen Walsh, Boston, MA; two daughters Maureen and husband Michael McGrath, Laurel, MD and Dorothy and husband Rick Turano, Browndale; 14 grand children Mary Morris, Ricky, Chrissy, Kevin, Matthew, Elizabeth, Michael, Joanie, Christina, Claire, Joseph, Alice, Anna, and Daniel; 3 great grandchildren Monica, Mathias, and Hannah; one brother Michael Hynes and wife Jane, Branson, MO; a sister-in-law Marilyn Sloan, Reading; nieces and nephews.

Funeral will be Monday at 10am from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City. Interment in St. Agnes Cemetery, Forest City.  Viewing Sunday from 4-7 pm.

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Lutchko, Margaret   January 16, 2009     [click here to email online condolence]

Margaret Lutchko, 90, of Forest City, died Friday morning at the Forest City Nursing Center. She was the wife of the late Stephen “Sam” Lutchko who died March 23, 1999.

Born May 24, 1918, in Forest City, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Gertrude Gillespie Smith. She was a 1935 graduate of Forest City High School and she attended Lackawanna Business School. She was a member of the Roman Catholic Community of Forest City and she was a member of the St. Agnes Altar and Rosary Society. Margaret liked flower gardening and she was particularly fond of her African Violets. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Forest City Nursing Center for the thoughtful and compassionate care that their mother received.

She is survived by two daughters Jane Webster and husband Harold, Johnson City, NY, and Carol Daniels and husband John, Simpson; a son Michael Lutchko and wife Carol, Hallstead. Four grand children James, Lisa and husband John, Alycia, and Adam; two great grandchildren Stephen and Lydia; two brothers Gerald Smith, Endicott, NY and Joseph Smith, Mesquite, NV; several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by a sister Isabelle Strus and a brother James Smith.

Funeral will be Monday at 9:30am from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City.  Interment in St. Agnes Cemetery, Forest City.  Viewing Sunday from 2-5 pm.

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