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Robert W. Leventhall

4/29/2025

It is with heavy hearts, but also a sense of peace, that we announce the passing of Robert William Leventhall, who died peacefully at home on April 26, 2025, at the age of 87. Bill was born in Carbondale, PA, in 1937 to the late William Thomas Leventhall and Evelyn Hunter Leventhall. He married Sally Nichols on December 9,1961, and was a devoted father to five children.

After graduating from high school, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in Korea. He later settled in Windsor, NY, as a lab technician and chemist for Crowley’s. In 1971, he and Sally relocated with his youngest children to the Nichols homestead on Lake Sheridan, PA. and took a position with Procter & Gamble in Mehoopany. He became a leading expert in wood pulp identification and papermaking.

Following retirement, Bill enjoyed running a Christmas tree farm, fishing, hunting and watching his Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants. He was a dedicated family man whose life’s purpose was enjoying time with family. His loved ones will remember him as the strongest man they ever knew. He was a man of pride, extreme intelligence, and fortitude. Bill lived his life as a man of great character and possessed positive attributes that will be passed onto future generations. He loved unconditionally and was never bothered by trivial matters. A master storyteller, Bill enjoyed reminiscing about his time in the Air Force, his travels, and his hunting and fishing adventures. A filled bird feeder was likely to be found on his porch, as he and Sally cherished watching the little creatures around them. Bill was an avid reader, and a whiz at crossword puzzles. If you ever talked with Bill, whether you knew him for five minutes or fifty years, you felt like the most important person in the room. His kindness, attention, and sincerity made every conversation special.

Bill is survived by his children Jeff Leventhall (Sandra), Mark Leventhall (Lori), Ginger Edwards (Brock), Lori Mason (Brian), and Lynn Leventhall (Shawn) ;8 grandchildren: Luke Leventhall, Emily, Julia, and London Edwards, Piper and Maddox Mason, Alex and Nicholas Bushta; 3 sisters: Sharon Snyder, Diane Karosus, and Susan Nusz, brother Eugene Leventhall, a brother-in-law Gary Nichols (Bonnie), numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother Evelyn, as well as his loving wife of 48 years, Sally, brothers-in law Joseph Nichols and David Snyder, niece Sherrie Salerno, and nephew Justin Nusz.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 4 from 5-7pm in the Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, 91 State Street, Nicholson

Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family with interment in the Nicholson Cemetery at a later date.

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Florence S. Gardoski

4/28/2025

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Florence S. Gardoski, 94, of Kingsley, Pa., passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, April 25. She was born in Scott Township on June 22, 1930, the first of six children of John and Stella Sokoloski.

After graduating high school, Florence moved to Detroit to pursue employment. She moved back to her father’s home at age 18 to help with her younger siblings when first her mother, then her stepmother, passed away. She had a wonderfully nurturing spirit throughout her whole life.

Florence married Joseph S. Gardoski on November 15, 1952, and moved into the family home to help run the dairy farm. She was the love of Joe’s life, and he preceded her in death in November of 2001, right after their 49th wedding anniversary. They had seven children and raised them under the fierce love and loyalty of Florence’s protective wings. Surviving are her children Nancy Perri (Donald), James (Linda), Daniel, Ronald (Karen), Susan Mahdavi (Amir), Kenneth (Sharon), and Sharon Bishop (Robert.) She has 22 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren with more on the way. Two of her grandsons preceded her in death. Florence was a parishioner of St. Patrick Church of Nicholson, Pa.

Calling hours will be at Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, 91 State Street, Nicholson from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday, May 1.

A Mass of Christian Burial performed by Rev. Arbogast Satoun will be held at 11 am on Friday, May 2, at St. Patrick Church, 205 Main Street, Nicholson. Those who wish to attend the Mass are asked to go directly to the Church.

Interment will follow in the St. Patrick Cemetery, Nicholson

It makes our hearts leap with joy at the thought of Florence’s macular degeneration disappearing as she looks clearly into the face of Jesus, and once again reuniting with her beloved best friend Joe.

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Robert John Helmacy

4/25/2025

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It is with deep sadness that we announce that Robert John (Bob) Helmacy, age 85, died of natural causes while at home in Lathrop Township PA on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

He was born December 17, 1939 in Franklin NJ to John James Helmacy and Frances Gunther, and grew up in Sparta NJ.

Bob held a Masters Degree in Music from Boston University, a Diploma in Trumpet from Juilliard School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Baldwin-Wallace College.

Bob taught music and orchestra in the Caldwell-West Caldwell public schools in New Jersey for 37 years. He also founded and conducted the Northern Tier Symphony of Tunkhannock PA, conducted the South Orange Symphony of South Orange NJ from 1972 to 2014, and was one of the original conductors of Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro NC where he conducted for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Colleen, by his cousin Sue Ellen Helmacy of Wantage NJ, his nephew Stephen Chenevey of Arlington VA, and his niece Catherine Chenevey of Gainesville VA. He is predeceased by his sister Sandra Helmacy Chenevy recently of Ft. Myers FL. Bob will be greatly missed as a devoted teacher, loving husband, and inspirational orchestra conductor.

Funeral services performed by Rev. John Shaffer will be held Thursday, May 1 at 11am in the Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, 91 State Street, Nicholson. Interment will follow in the Squiers Cemetery in Kingsley.

Family and friends may call from 10am until service time.

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John O. Olver

4/15/2025

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John Owen Olver, 86, of Hop Bottom went home to his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 13 at Geisinger CMC in Scranton.

His wife and the love of his life is Mary Hawkins Olver and they have been married for 66 years.

Born in Honesdale, he is the son of the late Russell and DeLila Shaffer Olver.

Prior to retiring, John spent many years as a self-employed auto body expert, owning The Bent Fender in Milford, PA.

John was a member of the Acre Lake Baptist Church. He loved cars, trains, and collected clocks. He was a comedian who could make anyone laugh and was a fast finder of friends. He could often be heard singing or whistling a little tune or doing a little dance. He loved pancakes and made a pretty mean flapjack himself.

John was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He truly was a gentleman.

John is also survived by his children, Richard (Diane) Olver, Cindi (Jim) Dennis, Kevin (Robin) Olver, and Connie (Joe) Milunic, ten grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; brothers, Jimmy, Butch, and Gary; and sisters, Bonnie, Bernice, and Debbie.
He was predeceased by his brother, Robert, and sister, Susan.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 18 at 12 Noon in the Acre Lake Baptist Church with services performed by Rev. Sherman L. Skeens.

Family and friends may call from 10am until service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Acre Lake Baptist Church.

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Robert W. Leventhall

Florence S. Gardoski

Robert John Helmacy

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