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Bro. Robert E. Rosengrant – Life Member

Robert E. Rosengrant, 81, of Shavertown, passed peacefully Monday, March 8, 2021, at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born July 3, 1939, in Kingston, Robert was the son of the late William and Doris Rosengrant, of Edwardsville.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded by the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Beverly Rosengrant (Jesse); and son, Robert W. Rosengrant.

After graduating from Edwardsville High School in 1957, Robert married his wife, Beverly, in 1958.

Robert and Beverly went on to raise their two sons, Robert and Alan, in Shavertown. Robert spent a great deal of his life building while working in the construction field. His most important work occurred within the walls of his home, building his life with his family. Robert was a devoted father and enjoyed coaching his son’s little league teams and participating as the “Den father” for their scout troops. During his youth, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle, fishing and hunting. Robert spent a great deal of his life giving back to the community through various charitable organizations and working as a volunteer firefighter for many years.

Robert was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. Robert was always ready to jump in his RV and hit the road with his family. He often traveled to Florida with Beverly and loved taking his grandchildren to Disney World. Robert loved trying his luck while playing various slot machines and was always up for a good game of poker. Robert had an interest in history and enjoyed watching documentaries, as well as a love for hockey, football and NASCAR racing.

Surviving are his son, Alan Rosengrant, Sweet Valley; grandchildren, Derek Rosengrant and his wife, Alex; Corey Rosengrant; Krysti Bertinelli and her husband, Chris; and Jessica Oakes and husband, Daymon. Robert was also the devoted “Pop-Pop” to Tyler and Maria Rosengrant; Peyton and Logan Bertinelli; and Declan Oakes. Robert will also be deeply missed by numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

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Bro. Joseph E. Oblen

Joseph Edward Oblen, 87, of Kingston, passed away peacefully Monday, March 8, 2021, at his home.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Mary Ellis and Charles Oblen.

After graduating from Dallas Twp. High School in 1951, Joe joined the United States Army, where he was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Joe had a proud, decades-long career as an officer and desk sergeant with the Kingston Police Department until 1989. In his retirement, he was the proprietor of Oblen Antiques, Kingston.

At the time of his passing, Joe was an active and devout member of St. Therese’s Catholic Church, Shavertown.

Joe was a man of faith and family, and the memories of his kind soul and unyielding love will be forever cherished. We will miss you Papa Joe, G-pa, Grandpa, Dad.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marion Walcheski Oblen; his brothers, Edward and Charles (Tex); and his sisters, Marie Naperkoski and Cecelia (Ceil) Backof.

Joe is survived by his children, Marlene Knappman and her husband, Richard, Trucksville; and Ronald Oblen and his wife, Marjorie, Leonardtown, Md.; his special lady, Beverly Cushner, Shavertown; five grandchildren, Marina (and Kristofer) Harrison; Erika (and Robert) Cooley; Randolph Knappman; Nicholas (and Raechel) Oblen; and Anthony Oblen; six great-grandchildren, Markayla, Delaney and Gavan Harrison; Cu Joseph and Laken Cooley; and Hudson Knappman; and nieces and nephews.

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Bro. Marvin E. Yeust – Life Member

Marvin Everett Yeust, 92, of Shavertown, passed away Friday, Feb. 5, 2021.

Born in Kingston, he was the son of the late Arnold and Jennie Lamoreaux Yeust.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and a life member of the North American Hunting Club.

He was a member of the George M. Dallas Lodge 531, a Shriner and past member of the Shavertown Fire Company.

Marvin was a member of Shavertown United Methodist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Donald Yeust, Ralph Yeust, Dwayne Yeust, Ruth Sommers and Carol Jean Yeust.

Surviving are a sister, Shirley Jane Edwards, Idetown; several nieces and nephews, Joy Ann Yeust, Rickard (Lois) Yeust, Steve Yeust, Clayton (Sheryl) Yeust, Shane (Milissa) Yeust, Dorene (Richard) Moskaluk, Sarah Yeust, Kyle Moskaluk, Dalton Yeust and Briar Yeust.

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Bro. Michael S. Delinsky

Michael S. Delinsky, 76, of Edwardsville, died Sunday morning, January 24, 2021, at home with family by his side.

Born in Nanticoke, he was the son of the late John and Ann Nickett Delinsky. He was a graduate of Edwardsville High School, Class of 1961. Mike was employed for many years by Sears Roebuck and Company and later an electrician for Len Crawford Electric prior to retirement.

He was an avid gardener, envied by many for his prized garlic. Mike loved the outdoors and was a member of Slocum Rod and Gun Club.

Mike was a very mechanical guy and enjoyed working in the garage with his son.

He was a member of George M. Dallas Lodge 531 F&AM, Irem Temple Shriners, Provost Guard Unit, and Scottish Rite, Valley of Bloomsburg.

Mike loved researching and collecting WWI German Lugers and was well-liked by many in the hobby. He was a longtime member of the Forks of the Delaware Historical Arms Society, Ohio Valley Military Society, and a lifetime NRA member.

In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by his wife of 46 years, Margaret Herbert Delinsky; sister Marie Souchick and brother Josh Delinsky.

He is survived by his son, John and wife Jeanne Delinsky; two grandchildren, Ryan Ann Delinsky and Michael John Delinsky; great-grandson, Raiden Dixon and brother, Joseph Delinsky and companion JoAnn Hunlock. He also had many treasured nieces, nephews and cousins.

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Bro. Lynn A. Sheehan, Sr, P.M. – Life Member

Lynn A. Sheehan Sr., 33rd degree, 78, Dallas, passed away Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, due to complications of heart disease.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late John and Verna Cave Sheehan. He was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary and attended Dickenson College.

Lynn had worked for Fowler Dick and Walker for some time and later as a systems consultant with Bell Telephone and AT&T.

He was a member and past master of George M. Dallas Lodge F&AM 531, Dallas. He was a member and past commander-in-chief of Caldwell Consistory Valley of Bloomsburg. In 1991, Lynn earned his 33rd Masonic degree. He was a member of Irem Temple Shrine, Provost Guard and current president of the Uniformed Units of Irem. He was the principal instructor of the 12th Masonic District School of Instruction and a member of the Wilkes-Barre Shrine Club.

Lynn was a member of Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, Dallas. He had served his country proudly in the Coast Guard. He was a member of Daddow Isaacs Post 672 American Legion, NEPA Coast Guard Club, Riverview Rod and Gun Club, Bent Barrel Hunting Club, Briskie Mountain, past president Dallas Football Booster Club and a 60-year member of Back Mountain Regional Fire and EMS Company.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, John Sheehan.

Surviving are his wife of 52 years, the former Sandra Strazdus; daughter, Megan Palmer and her husband, Dan, Dallas; son, Lynn Jr. and his wife, Paula, Dallas; grandchildren, Shawn Mitchell (Emma); Kaitlyn Palmer (Glen); Caroline Sheehan (Jon); and Matt Palmer; and great-grandson, Lincoln Joseph Mitchell.

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Bro. Eugene M. Rooney

Eugene Martin Rooney, Jr., 66, of Pittston, passed away Friday, December 11, 2020, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Born in Scranton on October 12, 1954, he was the son of Judith Ann Conklin Rooney of Scranton and the late Eugene Martin Rooney, Sr.

He was a graduate of Coughlin High School and Norwich University, a branch of West Point. He had worked for many years in law enforcement in Beacon, Peekskill, and Wappinger Falls, NY. He was the owner of the former Rooney’s Irish Pub on Main Street in Pittston.

He was a member of the Back Mountain Harvest Church. He had a passion for photography, flying planes and scuba diving.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by a sister, Kimberly Comandy, Scranton; nieces, Tammy Comandy and her husband John Audia, Scranton and Gena Comandy and her fiancé Mark Kayfield, Phoenixville; nephew, Gary Comandy and his fiancé Brianne McIntyre,

Scranton; great-niece, Angelina Comandy;

great-nephew, Brennan McIntyre and numerous friends.

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Bro. Benjamin R. Jones, III – Life Member

Benjamin R. Jones lll, Esq., 83, of Dallas, passed away Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, at his home.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Honorable Benjamin R. Jones Jr., past Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and Dorothy Richards Jones. His mother and maternal grandparents, Minnie and Morgan Richards, emigrated from Wales in 1920, and settled in the Heights section of Wilkes-Barre, where attorney Jones was raised. The family were longtime members of the First Welsh Presbyterian Church. He was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary, Princeton University where he was a member of Quadrangle Club, and Temple University School of Law.

He served in the 109th Field Artillery Regiment.

Attorney Jones was a 57-year member of the Luzerne County Law and Library Association and his practice of law included serving as solicitor for Kingston Twp. for over 50 years, DAMA, and the Dallas School District. He also taught law at Wilkes University.

Attorney Jones was a chairman of the United Way of Wyoming Valley, a member of the board of trustees of Wyoming Seminary, and was affiliated with George M. Dallas Masonic Lodge #531 and the Caldwell Consistory. He was a member of the board of directors of the Westmoreland Club during the Agnes flood and played a large part in its restoration. He was a member of The North Mountain Club, The Westmoreland Club, Huntsville Golf Club, and Newberry Estate Country Club. He was an employee of the Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour and took great pride in his Welsh and coal mining heritage. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed a tradition of pheasant hunting with his father on Thanksgiving Day.

Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, was his brother, Morgan Richards Jones, Esq.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, the former Jane S. Snowdon; sons, Benjamin R. Jones IV, Kingston; Dylan S. Jones, Esq., London, UK; Tudor R. Jones and Julianna Piechoczek, Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, who were the joys of his life, Viktoria N. Milton, Jet P. Jones and Kit P. Jones; brother, the Honorable Edward Griffith, West Chester.

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Bro. Peter M. Kaminski

Dr. Peter M. Kaminski, 66, of Harveys Lake passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Twp.

He was born Oct. 4, 1954, in Newark, NJ to Peter John and Kathryn Hunt Kaminski. Due to the early death of his parents, Peter was raised in Hanover Twp. by his beloved grandmother, Anna, and aunt, Olga Kaminski.

Peter graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1972. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in biology at King’s College and pursued a pharmacy degree at Temple University. While working as a pharmacist in Philadelphia, he furthered his education graduating from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a two-year surgical residency at St. Mary’s Hospital in Philadelphia and later established an office of Podiatry in Plymouth and Dallas where he practiced for the past 35 years, treating patients and entertaining them with his corny jokes.

Peter enjoyed golfing with his friends, especially on their annual golf trips culminating with the presentation of his original “Doc Awards.” In addition, he was an avid runner, completing a triathlon at age 50. He was excited to travel to Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean with his family and friends. Throughout the years, Peter coached all of his children and his nieces in a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, and soccer. He also spent a great deal of time boating on Harveys Lake and deep-sea fishing off the New Jersey coast. Peter was a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Podiatric Medicine, a member of the George M. Dallas Lodge 53, a member of the Irem Shriners, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and past president of the Harveys Lake Protective Association. He was also a member of Our Lady of Victory Church where he served in the past as a eucharistic minister.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 42 years, Karen Kuchinskas Kaminski; son, Peter John Kaminski; daughters, Katelyn Kaminski and Margarete Kukosky; granddaughter, Layla Ruby Lewis; sister and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Dr. Kurt Maas; nieces, Maria Conley and Kelsey Maas; and father-in-law, Sylvester Kuchinskas.

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Bro. E. Carl Bush, Jr., P.M. – Life Member

    Edwin Carl Bush, Jr., 77, Dallas, passed away, Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Born in Forty-Fort, he was the son of the late Edwin Carl and Ann Mahler Bush and was a graduate of Dallas High School class of 1962 and Wingate University with a degree in Liberal Arts. His family had moved to Dallas in 1958.

     Carl worked at American Chain and Cable, Co. in 1964 and attended night classes at Wilkes-University. In 1965 he married his high school sweet heart, Suellen Roberts. He was a member of The Trucksville United Methodist Church. Carl was a 50 year member of George M. Dallas Masonic Lodge #531 F&AM where he served as Worshipful Master in 1988, Caldwell Consistory. He was also a 50 year member of Irem Shrine and a member of the Stewards Unit and Directors Staff where he served as president.

     Carl is survived by his wife the former Suellen Roberts, at home. Daughter Traci Anne Engblom and a son, Randal C. Bush. A sister, Shirley Arnold. Grandchildren, Alaina, Nicholas, and Carson Engblom, Benjamin A. Bush. Several nieces and nephews, who he loved and was very proud of.  

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Bro. John E. Belle

John E. “Jack” Belle of Doylestown passed away at his residence surrounded by his family Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. He was 87.

Born May 6, 1933, in Syracuse, N.Y., to the late Oscar D. and Jean (DiMarzio) Belle, Jack resided in Syracuse, Waynesboro, Pa., and Dallas, Pa., before moving to Doylestown in 1976.

Jack graduated from Onondaga Valley Academy in 1951 where he played football and was class president. He was a member of the All Syracuse City Band where he played clarinet. He then went on to attend Syracuse University, where he studied business, played on the golf and tennis teams, and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.

He was an exceptional sales professional in the heavy construction equipment industry; District Manager of Austin-Western, Grove Cranes and P&H Harnischfeger Industries, and Vice President of L.B. Smith.

Jack was a member of the George M. Dallas Masonic Lodge, LuLu Shriners, and Scottish Rite Valley of Bloomsburg.

He met his wife, Betty, downhill skiing in the Syracuse area when he was on the ski patrol. During the 1960s and 70s, they took their family skiing in the winter. In the summers, they enjoyed boating, water skiing and fishing, and time together at The Thousand Islands, N.Y., on their boat, River Belle.

In 1985, the Belles opened Rainbow World Day Care School in Chalfont, where hundreds of children attended over 15 years including his oldest two grandsons.

Jack was an avid golfer and played for many years at Lake Shore Country Club in Syracuse, Doylestown Country Club, and Haig Point Country Club in South Carolina. In the 1990s and 2000s, the Belles would spend part of the year at their residence in Hilton Head, S.C., with his best friend and brother, Lee, and his wife, Suzy.

He was an enthusiastic Philly sports fan and loved watching and attending Phillies, Flyers, and Eagles games. He also enjoyed Syracuse University and Penn State football and basketball. Jack loved holidays with family and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s concerts, shows, recitals, and football, baseball, softball, soccer, basketball and lacrosse games.

Jack was very sociable; talking to and making friends with everyone. We will miss sharing meals, conversations filled with laughter, and his good company.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Belle, and children John L. Belle (Susan) of Marion, MA, Kathleen Maclin (Thomas) of Doylestown, and Lori Shapiro (Matthew) of Doylestown; his grandchildren Russell of NYC, John and Anna Maclin of Doylestown, Scott and Jane Shapiro of Doylestown; his sister Joanne Belle of Syracuse, sister-in-law Suzanne Belle (Lee) of Syracuse, sister-in-law Barbara Vars of Wellesley Island, NY and nieces Cynthia Belle Hynes of Syracuse and Lesley Vars of NYC. He was preceded in death by his brothers Henry M. and Lee L. Belle.

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