 James Richard Ritz, 63, of Hop Bottom passed away Saturday, October 8 at his home.
He is preceded in death by his father, Julius; mother, Mary; son, James; and sister, Beverly. James is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Donna Oakley Ritz. James is also survived by his 3 children; son, Samuel (Greta) Ritz; daughter, Connie (Bud) Hunt, and daughter, Lisa Ritz; step children Michael (Krista), Isaac (Amy), Becky (Mark), Marci (Scott) and France; adopted daughter Eliza Himko and adopted son Donovan Ritz; 4 grandchildren, 10 step grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; brothers Ron (Joyce) Ritz, Robert (Linda) Ritz, Rick Ritz, Michael Ritz, and Joey Ritz; sister Tina (Robert) Bullock, all in Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. James loved hunting, fishing, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He loved country music, westerns, chocolate, and a nice cold beer. He believed one day he would find Bigfoot. He loved a good joke and to play around with all his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by so many. Funeral services are private with interment in the Squier's Cemetery, Hop Bottom.
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 Frank Crea, 92, of Kingsley passed away Saturday at home with his family by his side. His wife is the former Melsenia Tiffany and they have been married for 64 years.
Born in Rush, PA he is the son of the late John and Bessie Mayhood Crea. Prior to retiring he served as Postmaster of the Kingsley Post Office for 30 years. He was a member of the St. Patrick Church in Nicholson and was an Army veteran of the Korean War serving in Okinawa, Japan. He was also a member of the Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488. He loved his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, gardening, and reading the newspaper. Frank is also survived by a daughter, CherylAnn Kraska; a son, Frank M. Crea; a brother, Robert Crea; a sister, Betty Oruska; five grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by three brothers; Paul, Joseph, and Wayne; and two sisters; Mary and Pauline. A mass of christian burial celebrated by Rev. Arbogaste Satoun will be held Wednesday at 11am in the St. Patrick Church in Nicholson. Interment will follow in the St. Patrick Cemetery, Nicholson. Friends may call Tuesday from 5-8pm in the Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, 91 State Street, Nicholson. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes Barre, PA 18702. JoAnn Bartell Squier, of Nicholson, PA, passed away on August 16, 2022 at Abington Manor in Clark Summit, PA with family by her side following an illness. Her husband, Richard Squier, passed away in 2017. She and Richard were married for 45 years.
Born in Newark, NJ, she is the daughter of the late Katherine Mills Bartell and Joseph Bartell. She married Richard in 1972, moved to Nicholson and became an active community volunteer in the Nicholson local library, Girl Scouts, and helped coach girls softball. She volunteered with the American Red Cross and was an avid supporter of St. Jude’s Hospital. She enjoyed knitting, spinning wool, baking, playing card and doing puzzles. She is survived by her two children, Richard Squier, Jr of Nicholson and Karen Squier of Memphis Tennessee. She is also survived by her sisters Judy (Charlie) Curtin (Waverly, PA), Rena Shull (Kansas City, MO), Maureen (Bill) Harvey (Pipersville, PA) and Peggy (PJ) Mc Laine (Dunmore, PA) as well as many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her sister Ginny Bartell Graham and brother in law, Donald Shull. There will be no public services per her wishes. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her name to the American Red Cross or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN.  Katherine Babiarz, age 80, of Nicholson passed away Monday August 8 at Allied Skilled Nursing in Scranton. Her husband Kenneth passed away in 2017.
Born in Binghamton, NY she is the daughter of the late Peter Havrilak and Hilda Wescott Noble. She attended the West Nicholson United Methodist Church and was an avid seamstress, loved baking cakes, crafts, and golf. She is survived by two sons, Robert Kerr, wife Robin; and Eugene Kerr, wife Michelle; sisters Barbara Beebe, husband Albert; Sharon Dwyer, husband Joseph; and brothers Harold Noble, wife Pat; Frank Noble, wife Karen; grandchildren Christina Kerr, Mara Ketcham and husband Bryan, and Shelby Kerr; step children Connie Hedrick, husband Norman; Karen DePietro and Kim Babiarz; great grandchildren Brayden, Maya, Colton, Taylor, Faith, Autumn, Kelsey, Charles, Zabrina, William, Zaitie Burgin and Jocelyn Schwarztrauber. Katherine is predeceased by a brother, Irving Havrilak; and a grandson, Robert Kerr. A Graveside memorial service for family and friends will be held Friday August 12 at 5pm in the Union Cemetery in Lathrop Township. In lieu of flowers memorial donations are requested to the Union Cemetery perpetual care fund; mailing address Robert Kerr 14465 Dimock to Nicholson Road Hop Bottom, PA 18824 Sally Ann Brinckman, age 87, of Hop Bottom passed away Thursday July 28 at home.
Her husband, Raymond, passed away in 2018. Born in Spring City, PA she is the daughter of the late Robert and Dorothea Voigt Michener. Sally spent her years as a farmer and was a member of the Kingsley Community Church. Sally is survived by two sons, Lon and David Brinckman; two daughters, Wendy Cross and Gail Erb; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. She was predeceased by a son, Raymond II, and a brother, Robert Michener. The funeral service will be held Tuesday August 2 at 1pm by Pastor James Madas of the Kingsley Community Church in the Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, 91 State Street, Nicholson. There will be a viewing from 11am until service time. Interment will be held in the Nicholson Cemetery. Bobby Ray Watson, 72, of Factoryville died Saturday at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton. His wife Donna Hobbs Watson passed away in 2008.
Born in Harford, he is the son of the late Roscoe and Lessa Bartley Watson. He was formerly employed at Deer Park Lumber. Bobby is survived by two sons, James and Timothy; two daughters, Bobbie Jo Street and Brenda Watson; two brothers, Curly and Roscoe; a sister, Lois Ann; eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was predeceased by two sisters, Inez and Pansey. It was his wish that there will be no services.  Walter George Riedinger, age 78, of Nicholson died Tuesday, June 28 at Wilkes Barre General Hospital. His wife is the former Eileen Conklin. Born in Glen Ridge, NJ he was the son of the late Harold and Genevieve Deffily Riedinger. He was a psycho-educational specialist at Friendship House in Scranton for over 30 years. He was also a member of Saint Patrick Church in Nicholson and a Marine veteran, having served during the Vietnam War. Walter is also survived by two sons, Andrew (Amber) and Alex (Alyssa); three daughters, Genevieve (Lee), Emily (Ian), and Lauren (Brian); and five grandchildren, Gabby, Sean, Izzy, Julian, and Ezra. He was predeceased by two brothers, Charles and Buddy; and two sisters, Arlene and Jean. A memorial blessing service celebrated by Rev. Arbogaste Satoun of Saint Patrick Church will be held Friday, July 8 at 6pm in the Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, 91 State Street, Nicholson. Friends may call from 5pm until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital.
 James W. Loch, 52, of Ambler, PA passed away suddenly of natural causes on June 11, 2022. He was the beloved son of Gus and Carolyn (Tripp) Loch, Jr. James was born in Scranton, PA on January 8, 1970.
James was a proud graduate of Penn State University, where he received his Bachelor's in Finance and Master’s in Engineering degrees. He was the owner of Visual Edge Consulting & Software, LLC. Jim loved sports, despite living near Philadelphia, he bled Black and Gold for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers. And loudly cheered for his PSU Lions. He was a member of the BMW Car Club and had a fondness for his M3. He enjoyed yardwork and traveling to Europe and Canada. Along with his parents, he is survived by his #1 fan, sister, Trish Loch and brother-in-law, Mike Troup; the "little brother" he always asked for, John Croak and spouse Jill, and their children Charles “Chase” and Cadance; and his loving canine companion, M2. He is also survived by his uncles and aunts: Will and Sandy Tripp, Mary Ann and David Evans and Lorraine and Richard Griffith, in addition to many cousins and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Service on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 11 AM at the Emil J. Ciavarelli Family Funeral Home, 951 E. Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19002. A visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 11 AM at the Funeral Home. Another service is planned for Monday, June 20, 2022 at the Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, 91 State St, Nicholson, PA 18446. Visitation 9:30-11am, 11am service. Burial will be in the Nicholson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., P.O. Box 367, Ambler, PA 19002 or True Friends Animal Shelter, 16332 State Route 706, Montrose, PA 18801.  Paul J. Brojack, 92, of Brooklyn Twp., died Wednesday, May 18, 2022. His beloved widow is the former Lorraine Ginley. They have been married for 68 years.
Born in Archbald, he is the son of the late Peter and Helen Matisko Brojack. He was a member of St. Patrick Church, Nicholson. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict assigned as a financial property accountant and budget and fiscal specialist at a special weapons project. He received expert rifleman and good conduct medals. He was a graduate of Drexel University and New York University, having received a Bachelor of Science and master's degree in business administration. Before retirement, he was a partner in the firm of Ginader, Brojack, and Jones, certified public accountants, Scranton. He was a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of CPAs. Previously for 10 years, he was a treasurer-controller for Dean-Phipps Stores, American Auto, Noah’s Ark and Checker stores. He served on the board of directors for the Visiting Nurse Association of Lackawanna County for more than 34 years and served as president for three terms. He enjoyed going to auctions, flea markets and garage sales with wife, Lorraine, to acquire antiques and collectables for her antique business. They were in the antique and used furniture business for more than 20 years and had many friends in the auction and antique business. They enjoyed traveling extensively across the United States, covering all the states. During his working years, he was a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Scranton. Surviving are a daughter, Joan Rosenburg and husband Eric, Sequim, Wash.; two sons, Paul Jr. and wife, Lisa, and two grandchildren, Sarah and Paul Joseph, Rushville; and Alan and wife, Carol, Scott Twp. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Martha Warnetsy and Eleanor Hlavaty; and three brothers, Joseph, Peter and William. Funeral services are private at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in memory of Paul may be sent to St. Patrick Church, Nicholson.  Joseph S. Aylesworth Jr., 81, of Nicholson passed away Monday May 2, 2022 at Regional Hospital in Scranton.
His wife of 37 years is Ann Marie Mordent Aylesworth. Born September 14, 1940 in Dalton to the late Joseph Sr and Elizabeth Marshall Aylesworth, he graduated from Hop Bottom High School in 1958 and then served as a US Marine from 1958-1962. Upon leaving the military, Joe took up his career at Proctor & Gamble and successfully retired from there as project manager. Joe took up residence in Nicholson with his first wife, Diane Phillips Aylesworth, in 1968 and he has been an active community member ever since. He was a member of the Nicholson American Legion Post 953, Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488, Nicholson Fire Company, Nicholson Masonic Lodge 438, Marine Corp League, Shriners, and Gin’s Golf League. He dedicated over 20 years of community service to Nicholson, ranging from little league coach to a member and president of the Nicholson Borough council for 17 years. Joe truly enjoyed the great outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish. The time he was able to share on the property with his family and friends brought him much joy and many stories. Joe is survived by his wife, Ann Marie; two sons, Scott Aylesworth (Kim) and Eric Aylesworth (Rebecca); five grandchildren, Holden, Matthew, Nichole, Deserae, and CJ; a sister, Marsha Gorchinski; and a niece, Kim Dougherty (George). He was predeceased by his first wife, Diane Phillips Aylesworth, in 1980; father and mother-in-law Frank and Ann Phillips; and brother-in-law, Robert Phillips. Calling hours will be held Monday, May 9 from 5-8pm in the Charles H. Litwin Funeral Home, 91 State Street, Nicholson. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:00am. Friend may call from 10am until service time. Interment will be held in the Nicholson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or to the Toys for Tots in memory of Joe. |
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