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.
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.
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.
Gerald Bernstein, 85, of Jackson Township, passed away Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Allied Services Hospice, Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Gerald was born in Newark, New Jersey, on May 13, 1938, son of the late Leo and Ethel (Wilson) Bernstein. He graduated from Union High School, N.J., in 1956. Gerald attended Susquehanna University, where he also met his wife, Babetta Marie Hewitt. He received his B.S. in business administration in 1960, with a major in accounting. He was inducted into the Pi Gamma Mu National Social Science Honor Society.
Upon graduation, Gerald’s professional career began in Philadelphia, where he worked on the audit staff at Ernst & Whinney, CPAs, from 1960 to 1963, passing his CPA exam in May of 1963. Gerald moved to Northeastern Pennsylvania in 1963, where he began his private practice as a CPA until January 1977, at which time he merged his practice into the now-existing partnership of J.H. Williams and Co.
Gerald has been active in the community, a member of Irem Shriners, as well as professional activities, and has been a frequent lecturer on accounting and taxes. He is the past president of the Northeastern Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPA’s and a member of the AICPA and the PICPA.
Jerry, as everyone knew him, strived for success, perfection, and dedication at a very young age. He excelled in academics, as well as in sports, which earned him a full football scholarship while attending Susquehanna University. His steadfast characteristic was evident throughout his life. He had a strong demeanor, but he also had a softer side: Jerry loved making everyone laugh, by telling jokes and by his impromptu comedic acts. Jerry was also a cat lover. He adored both his Himalayan cat, Puffy, and his most recently adopted Balinese cat, Roxie. Not only Jerry was a great provider for his family, but he was also a loving and caring father, grandfather, and friend.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Babetta, whom he loved so dearly.
He will be sadly missed by his children: daughter, Babetta Wenner and her husband, Wilbur, Jackson Township, and their daughter, Winter Wenner, RN, Wichita, Kansas; son, Dr. Brent Bernstein and his wife, Michele, Allentown, and their children: Ethan Bernstein, Chicago, Illinois, and Emma Bernstein, Gettysburg; and son, Dr. Barry Bernstein, and his wife, Shareena, Lehman Township.
Charles A. Lasher, 84, of Dallas passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at the Meadows Manor, Dallas. He is preceded in death by his wife of 20 years, Geraldine Lasher in 2006.
Born on February 16, 1939 in Wilkes-Barre, he is the son of the late Reuel and Mary (Neyhard) Lasher.
He was a graduate of Dallas Township High School. He had a remarkable career at Procter and Gamble, where he devoted many years of his life.
Chuck served proudly in the United States Marine Corps, upholding the values of loyalty, honor, and dedication.
Chuck contributed to the community and forged lifelong friendships through his memberships with the George M. Dallas Lodge No. 531 where he was a Past Master and 60 year member and the Dallas Irem Shriners.
Chuck had an adventurous spirit with numerous hobbies and interests including amateur Ham radio, bow hunting, Penn State football, chocolate, and wine. Above all, he loved to make others laugh & smile, he was a great kidder. Although he didn’t often openly express it, Chuck had a great love and concern for his family and friends.
He had a strong belief in the afterlife, where messages were carried on the wings of butterflies and hummingbirds. While we may be sad with his absence, he would want us to be happy, knowing that he’s smiling & dancing once again. “Those that walk in the Lord, never say goodbye for the last time.”
He is survived by his son, Charles H. Lasher; daughters, Patricia Harabin and husband Matthew, Sally Wirbicki, Susan Lasher; step children, Lisa Ford, Thomas Ford; sister, Sally Wagner; brother, Jack Lasher and wife Carol; grandchildren, Jennifer and David Lasher, Jason Harabin, Nicholas Harabin, Lauren Flynn, Thomas Wirbicki, Maddie Schall, Nicholas Lowery, Andie Lowery, Lucas VerBeek, and Annalise VerBeek; great grandchildren, Emma and Bill Harabin, Ayden Schall; several nieces & nephews, and loving companion and “partner in crime”, Sharon Strauser.
In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by brother-in-law, Frank Wagner, Jr.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of the Meadows Manor for their loving care and Compassionate Care Hospice for their help in their dad’s peaceful transition.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Chuck’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, 420 Main St. Dallas, PA 18612.
