Masonic Memorial

Olin C. Smith, Jr. “Olie”, 55, of Dallas, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Born on July 4, 1969, he was the son of the late Olin C. Smith, Sr. and the late Ruth (Kovalevich) Smith, of West Pittston and Harveys Lake. Olie is survived by his wife, Kristin, and their two daughters, Margaret and Emily.

Olie was a native of West Pittston, a 1987 graduate of Wyoming Area, and a 1991 graduate of Penn State University, where he earned a degree in Real Estate.

Olie began his career as an Appraisal Coordinator at First Eastern Bank in Wilkes-Barre. He then worked with Patt, White, Whitney, and Moyer Appraisers in Allentown. Olie was a Pennsylvania State Certified Appraiser, specializing in Commercial Real Estate. For 26 years, he served as the Executive Vice-President of Moyer Realty Advisors, LLC.

Olie served as a Panel Member on the Board of View for Luzerne County for many years. He most recently served as an Alternative Member of the Dallas Township Zoning Hearing Board.

Olie was a proud member of George M. Dallas Lodge 531 and The Irem Shrine, both in Dallas, as well as The Caldwell Consistory in Bloomsburg.

Olie looked forward to yearly vacations in Stone Harbor and Key West with his family and close friends. He cherished his summers at Harveys Lake surrounded by family, friends, and favorite neighbors. He loved watching his daughters waterski, wakeboard, ride their stand-up Jet Ski, wave runners, and drive the boat – truly a proud dad moment!

When the WBS Penguins came to the area, the Men’s League Ice Hockey team, ‘Deep Freeze’ was formed. Olie became the Alternate Captain, initially playing defense before eventually stepping into the role of Goalie. He became known as ‘Olie the Goalie’ to everyone that knew him. Olie loved playing ‘D’ League Hockey until he was injured, when he severed his bicep while playing on Thanksgiving Day. His ‘Cat-like Reflexes’, as he would say (catching the puck in his glove at top speed), finally caused his career-ending injury, forcing him to hang up his skates.

Olie was an avid reader with a deep passion for history, particularly WWII. He recently traveled to Normandy’s beaches with longtime friends. His love for travel has now inspired his daughters to continue exploring the world together. Being able to give them the gift of travel was very important to him.

Olie will forever be remembered for his storytelling – or, more accurately, for telling the same story over and over again. Those who knew him were very familiar with his famous sayings, or ‘Olie-isms’ as we loved to call them.

Olie was preceded in death by his grandparents, Raymond and Ruth (Rozelle) Smith, and Sam and Mary (Salko) Kovalevich.

In addition to his wife and children, Olie will be deeply missed by his brother Kevin and wife Valerie of Dallas; his sister Ruth Hollander and husband Joseph of Clarks Summit; his father-and-mother-in-law Robert and Dorothy Quigley Jr.; his sisters-in-law Jacqueline (Albert Nocerine), and Carolyn (Jason Aben); as well as his nieces and nephews.

Joseph J. Maniskas, 82, formerly of Dallas, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at River View Nursing and Rehabilitation, Wilkes-Barre.

Born in Swoyersville, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary Maniskas. He was a graduate of Swoyersville High School.

In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by his grandson, Nicky Sorbelli. Surviving are his children: Joey Maniskas; Jay Maniskas and his wife, Kelly; Jamie Sorbelli and her husband, Wayne; grandchildren: Jesse, Rachel, Leela and Olivia. He was the beloved brother of Richard and wife, Alex: sister, Patricia; nephew, Eric; and brother, John and wife, Josie. He was the uncle to Pamela, John, Amy, Richard and Matthew.

Joesph was a private in the United States Army, and was honorably discharged in December 1960.

Joseph was a well-known hair stylist in the Dallas area for over 50 years. He was a member and past master of George M. Dallas Lodge No. 531. Joseph was an avid golfer and a longtime member of Irem Country Club in Dallas, Pa.

Albert G. Billings, 89, of Dallas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at Allied Services Hospice, Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre.

Born and raised in Dallas, Albert was the son of the late Charles L. and Elizabeth (Frantz) Billings. Albert was a proud graduate of Westmoreland High School, Class of 1953, and was notably one of the first to graduate from Luzerne County Community College’s evening school program. He enjoyed a long and dedicated career with ACME Supermarkets, retiring after many years of service.

Albert was a fun and lively presence in the lives of those who knew him. He had a passion for the stock market and spent countless hours mentoring others. He loved the Back Mountain and often reminisced about the rich history of Dallas, his cherished hometown. Albert had a deep appreciation for cars, which he always kept spotless. An animal lover, Albert had a special place in his heart for his dogs, who brought him great joy throughout his life. He also enjoyed dining out with friends and family, creating cherished memories over meals and conversation. Albert never missed an opportunity to cheer on Penn State football, sharing the excitement with family and friends.

He was an active member of the community, a proud Mason, and a member of the Shriner Brass Band, where he shared his passion for music.

Albert was preceded in death by his beloved parents. He is survived by his sister, Florence “Flossie” Finn, of Dallas; his niece, Elizabeth Rosencrans and her husband, Fred; and his nephew, Charles L. Finn. He is also survived by his great-nieces, great-nephew, and a great-great-nephew, all of whom held a special place in his heart.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Shavertown United Methodist Church, 163 N. Pioneer Ave., Shavertown, with the Rev. Jon Buxton officiating. Interment will follow in Wardan Cemetery, Dallas.

Friends are invited to pay their respects from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home Inc., 140 N. Main St., Shavertown, and again on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

Albert will be fondly remembered for his unwavering kindness, infectious humor and devotion to his family, friends, and beloved pets. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge in honor of Albert’s love for animals.

Warren Earl Denmon, of Oak Island, North Carolina passed away on January 06, 2025.

Born on September 28, 1934 in Pennsylvania, he was the son of Andrew and Charlotte Denmon.

Warren served in the in the US Air Force as a drill instructor from 1954 to 1958. He then entered Wilkes College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he received a Bachelor of Science in secondary education.

He received his master of education degree from Rutgers University in 1964. He went on to become Dean of Admissions at Monmouth College, in West Long Branch, NJ.

Warren then went on to become an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) where he proudly served from 1971 to 1991.

He was married to his wife of 59 years, Sandra Denmon before she passed.

He is survived by his daughters, Pamela Pearl Denmon and Jill Leslie Denmon; and his son-in-law, Billy D. Brooks; and his faithful loving pup, Ruby.

Richard Lee Goodwin, 83, formerly of Lehman, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 13, 2024, at Heritage Hill Senior Community in Weatherly, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was born in 1941 to parents Paul Goodwin and Agnes Clark Goodwin of Lake Silkworth.

Rich was a 1959 graduate of Lake-Lehman High School. During his high school years, he was a member of the football and basketball teams, and a district championship wrestler who was inducted into the Lake-Lehman wrestling hall of fame. He also received the outstanding athlete award in his senior year.

Rich worked at Commonwealth Telephone Company for 37 years, until his retirement in 2003. Rich was a lifelong member of the George M. Dallas Masonic Lodge, #531. He competed in numerous triathlons and was an avid fisherman who enjoyed spending his retirement days fishing and boating with his many friends. Rich was a very sociable man, making friends wherever he went. He was a jokester, a true foodie (who was known for his amazing mashed potatoes) and an animal lover, taking care of any stray animal he encountered. He also enjoyed long daily walks and listening to Elvis, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Rich took special joy in family movie, game and pizza nights.

Richard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Emma Jane Goodwin, of Lehman; son, Richard Goodwin Jr. and his wife Patty, of Roseville, California; daughter, Erin Lamoreaux and her husband Curtis, of Shavertown; and adored granddaughters: Larissa Benson and her husband Christopher, of Shavertown; and Lauryn Goodwin, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Richard also leaves behind his beloved cat, Duncan.

A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Please consider a donation to any animal welfare charity of your choice in his honor.

Rich’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the entire staff of Heritage Hill Senior Community and Family Pillars Hospice for the outstanding care they provided to Rich during his final months. Kit, Karen and Maddie will always hold a special place in the hearts of the family for going above and beyond to bring joy to Rich’s life every single day that he was in their care.

Ronald Paul Fitch, 83, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a lasting legacy of family, service and community dedication.

Born May 14, 1941, in Dallas, Pa., to Ralph N. Fitch and Janet T. Fitch, Ron was a lifelong resident of the Back Mountain area.

Ron cherished his family above all. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife, children and beloved grandchildren. Whether it was family gatherings, weddings, graduations, or impromptu Friday night happy hours, Ron was happiest when surrounded by those he loved.

A proud small business owner, Ron ran R.N. Fitch and Sons alongside his brothers, where his entrepreneurial spirit and hard work had a lasting impact on the local community. Beyond his business, Ron was an active member of the Rotary Club of Dallas, George M. Dallas Lodge No. 531, and the Irem Shrine, always striving to give back to others. He also served his country honorably as a United States Marine.

Ron loved exploring new places with his family, and his passion for RVing took him on many adventures. His favorite destination was Myrtle Beach, where he spent countless happy days with family, making memories on the beach and around campfires that will be cherished forever. An avid Penn State football fan, Ron could often be found cheering on the Nittany Lions during football season. 

He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Carol; their children: Ron Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Lisa and her husband James, of Hillsborough, N.J. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Ronald Paul Fitch III (Trey), Annie, Lily, Carter, Skylar, Jack, Spencer and Madeline. Ron is also survived by his brothers, Drew and David.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Janet, as well as his siblings: Ralph Jr., Barbara and Nancy. 

Ron’s warmth, wisdom and spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of his family and friends. A private memorial service will be held in accordance with his wishes. 

John C. Sobeck, 81, of West Wyoming, peacefully passed away Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Luzerne on June 30, 1943, he was the eldest son of the late George S. Sobeck Jr. and Edith Belcher Sobeck.

John graduated from Luzerne High School, Class of 1961. Upon graduation, John immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served his country on the USS St. Clair County (LST-1096). John successfully obtained a classification rank of ETN3 (E-4), and received an honorable discharge as an electronics technician, from the U.S. Naval Station, Long Beach, Calif.

John worked effortlessly to support his growing family. Relative to his naval training, John was employed by the Tobyhanna Depot and Bendix Corporation where he tested, maintained and modified GPS Electronics and Weapons Guidance Systems; including the GYROSCOPE for the NASA Space Shuttles.

As Bendix closed their doors, John expanded his horizons into construction, where he became a union carpenter, under the tutelage of his brother-in-law, Leon Chmura, working for Ridge Homes. To further advance his construction inspirations, John entered into a business opportunity with his partner Maurice Lindquist, to form Sobeck and Lindquist – General Contractors. He was a master carpenter accomplished with building 100-plus homes, by establishing his Back Mountain residential communities: Sherwood Forest & Sutton Hills. For this achievement, he earned the BALA Awards: Best Home in Mid-Atlantic & Best Eastern Living Award.

After an award-winning career in the home building industry in the 1970s, John purchased Ruggle’s Lumber Company, Luzerne. He established LBJ Construction then joined with First General Services of NEPA, in 1982, quickly becoming the largest member of the fire and water damage repair industry on the East Coast.

Although John was already one of the leading national contractors in the fire and water damage repair industry, that did not quench his desire to become even more successful. He later seized on the opportunity to expand his business with the purchase of the parent company, First General Services of North America.

John was an involved member of the following clubs: 32nd Degree Masons, George M. Dallas Lodge No. 531, Dallas; Kiwanis, Dallas Rotary Luzerne County Fair; Irem Shriners Hospital, Irem Temple Country Club and Golf Association; and Fox Hill Country Club.

John also loved the ocean. In May 2000, he proudly obtained his U.S. Merchant Marine officer certification as “Captain John.” He was an avid fisherman as well as a Corvette and Austin Healy enthusiast.

John and his family were involved in numerous philanthropical endeavors, including an annual golf tournament benefiting the Luzerne Foundation, Penn State Endowed Scholarship, American Red Cross, United Cerebral Palsy Foundation and the John C. and Barbara E. Sobeck Charitable Trust.

John has been a champion for honesty, integrity, service, quality, teamwork and for FAMILY!

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a brother, George S. Sobeck III; and grandson, Edward M. Sobeck.

Surviving are his wife of 33 years, the former Barbara Evans; six children, Chris Sobeck (Terry Tyson), Lake Wynonah; Mike Sobeck (Barb), Wilkes-Barre; Jackie (Ed Brighthaupt), Dallas; Johnny Sobeck, Wilkes-Barre; Paul Sobeck, Wilkes-Barre; Jeremy Sobeck, Plains Twp.; five grandchildren, Erin Herbert, Theresa Watson, Joanna Sobeck, Edward Brighthaupt III and Brinley Sobeck; two great-grandchildren, Thurston and Zoey Herbert; numerous nieces and nephews, whom he adored; sister, Suellen Kravulski; and sister-in-law, Geraldine Sobeck.

Gerard “Jerry” Paul Flynn, 79, a resident of Wilmington, DE, formerly of Old Forge, PA, passed away peacefully at home on September 3rd, 2024.

Born in Scranton, PA, and raised in Old Forge, he was the son of the late Gerard and Lucille Pagnotti Flynn. Jerry attended and graduated from St. Ann’s Monastery High School in 1963. After graduation, he enlisted and honorably served 2 years in the United States Army. Upon returning to the area, he pursued a trade as a Pipe/Steam Fitter and was a member of Pipefitters and Plumbers Local 524. He was also a member of George M. Dallas Lodge #531 as a mason.

With his skills, he was employed at the Berwich Power Plant. In 2023, he was recognized for 50 years of membership in the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada. He also had several businesses with his late wife, Theresa Ann Arcaro Flynn. Jerry expanded his business into the state of Delaware, offering people a new taste of pizza at Delaware Park Race Track.

When in Delaware, he met his wife, Rochelle “Shelly” Davidson, with whom he recently celebrated 21 years of marriage. Jerry would always refer to her as “Blondie” and the two of them shared many memories together. They loved to go to classic car shows, get-aways to the beach or just watching football and westerns.

Jerry was a person who loved being involved with his family whether it was trips to the beach, a “trip up north” or celebrating an occasion over dinner. His greatest joys were going to see his grandchildren; watching them play football, wrestling, golfing, volleyball tournaments or following a horse show online. They all brought him great joy and he always referred to them as the loves of his life.

Along with both of his parents, Gerard & Lucille (Pagnotti) Flynn, Jerry was predeceased by his first wife, Theresa Ann Arcaro Flynn. Jerry is survived by his wife, Rochelle “Shelly” Davidson; his son, Jerry F. Flynn and his companion, Brooke Craven, of Lake Spangenberg, PA; his daughter, Melissa Riefler of Old Forge, PA; his step-daughters, Susanne Jarome (Dan Parncutt) of Wilmington, DE and Dr. Kimberly Davidson (Carl Egbert) of Florida; and his grandchildren, Timothy and Tyler Riefler, Zachary and Emily Jarome, and Sloane Egbert.

His family wishes to extend a special thanks to Bob and Sandy Jarome and JP Gutowski for the care and love they have shown Jerry during his life.

James Emerson “Jim” Laubach, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown.

He was born in Benton on February 23, 1933, the son of the late Jonathan Paul and Ethel Irene (Bray) Laubach. A 1951 graduate of Benton High School, he earned his Bachelor’s degree at Lycoming College in Williamsport in the mid-1950’s.

Throughout his life, he was passionate about trains, collecting and building model railroads, working for Western Maryland RR in his early career, and even operating a number of short line railroads in the late 1970’s – early 1980’s.

A reserved, gentle, and loyal man, he was a people person, making (and keeping) friends throughout his life. The work he enjoyed most – loss prevention specialist for Liberty Mutual Insurance, where he interacted with a wide range of clients (a favorite was M&M Mars), head of safety at Hershey Chocolate (he definitely loved chocolate!), and his various businesses that aligned with his interests – Cub Cadet tractors, water gardening, landscaping, and irrigation, all shared a common theme – engaging with people!

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Hayes Laubach, on January 13, 1988, after a battle with cancer; a sister, Janet Bouvier; and a brother, Jonathan “Jack” Laubach.

He married (Eva) Elaine Smith of Ridgway, Elk County, on December 6, 1958, after meeting in Harrisburg, where they both were working. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2023. Also surviving is a daughter, Victoria Elaine Laubach, of Chester Springs; two nephews; five nieces; and several great nieces and nephews.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner Inc. Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg. Interment will be made in the Benton Cemetery.

His family and friends will miss him.

William “Bill” McGovern, age 82 of Noxen, passed away Friday, July 5, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Wilkes-Barre on April 3, 1942 and was the son of the late Robert McGovern and Emma Wilson McGovern.

Bill graduated from Lake-Noxen High School in 1960 and retired from the Pipeline’s Local 798 serving as a welder since 1966. He was a member of the George M. Dallas Mason Lodge, 531. Bill enjoyed racing and restoring cars.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son, Michael McGovern; daughter, Linda McGovern Zacharias; grandson, Brian Malkemes.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sara Patton McGovern; daughters, Pam McGovern Malkemes (Rich) of Dallas and Kim McGovern Space (Don) of Sweet Valley; brother, Bob McGovern (Ann) of Rochester, NY; 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.