All Obituaries

Lael Siobhan Swank, 49, of Mountain Top, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2020, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital following a long and courageous fight with cancer. Born in Wilkes-Barre on March 9, 1971, she was the daughter of Murtie Lou Trabitz Marsilio and the late William Rowker. She is survived by her loving husband of 22 years Randy Swank and her two sons Garrett and Jason Swank. She was preceded in death by her father.    A graduate of the Crestwood High School class of...

Concepcion Silva, 81, of Mt. Top passed away peacefully  Sept. 26, 2020 at Geisinger South Hospice, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Born in Tejocote Guanajuato, Mexico, she was preceded in death by sisters Jesus, Josefa, Elena and infant brother. She is survived by husband of 60 yrs, Valentin and sister Virgina, Colorado. Also survived by sons Arturo (Jody) of Mt. Top and Manuel (Marie) of New Jersey. Grandchildren, Angela, Arturo Jr., and Mariah.  Step grandchildren, Rebecca, Nikki,...

Marlene Marie Blackford, of Mountain Top, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, in Post Acute Medical, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.   Marlene was born in Paterson, New Jersey, the daughter of the late Ralph and Helen LaManna.    While she worked full time until retirement, that was not her primary responsibility, or how she was defined.  Her life was defined by the love and devotion to her family.  She was married to Ray Blackford for 56 years, and while he...

Robert Thomas Riley, 66, of Mountain Top, passed peacefully, Wednesday, September 16, 2020.   Bob was born in Wilkes-Barre on March 16, 1954 to the late Peter James Riley and the late Elizabeth Jane Syron Riley. He graduated from Bishop Hoban High School in 1972 where he was a stand-out member of the varsity swim team. He went on to graduate from King’s College in 1976 with a degree in English and Political Science. After college, he worked for the Main Line Times in...

Sylvia M. Cheponis, formerly of Nanticoke, passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2020, at Providence Place Senior Living, Drums where she had been a resident for the past 5 years.   Born in Nanticoke, she was the daughter of the late Carl J. and Helen Yankowski Gibale. Sylvia was a graduate of Nanticoke High School and Luzerne County Community College, where she earned her Associates Degree in Nursing. She earned top honors from the Graduating Class of 1976 and was the recipient of the...

John Kravich of Mountaintop, PA passed peacefully  from complications of pancreatic cancer, on September 1, 2020 at the age of 76.   John was the son of John and Mary Kravich of Pittsburgh, PA. John graduated from Penn State University and had a successful career in food service management. John then embarked on a much-loved second career as faculty member  at LCCC. There, he taught hotel and restaurant management in the Culinary Arts program. John also taught RAMP training...

Que sera’,sera’ Whatever will be, will be The future’s not ours to see Que sera’, sera’ What will be, will be Olga (Blondie) Williams 89, of Mountaintop produced her last melodious song as she entered into eternal rest on Aug. 23, 2020.  Daughter of the late John Sr. and Olga (Dorash) Schott, she was the 5th in birth order of 18 children.   Growing up on a farm and fish hatchery in South Canaan. Pa. she learned to live off the...

Eric Lee Hoffman, 37, of Mountain Top, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2020.   He was born in Berwick on November 21, 1982 and was the son of Carey and Cheryl Hoffman of Mountain Top.   He attended Crestwood High School. Eric served in the United States Army 82nd Airborne with an honorable discharge. He received the National Defense Medal, army Service Ribbon, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, Parachutist Badge. He later went on to attend LCCC where he...

Michael S. Seaton-Elliott, of Drums, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.   Born in Grimsby, England, he was the son of the late Reverend Father Stanley A. and Edith M. Season-Elliott and was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School.  Michael served his country proudly in the United States Navy/CBS (2nd Class Petite Officer) for six years  and retired from Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 9, NJ after 40 years of service. He enjoyed going with his wife, to car shows, taking...

Mary E. Balliet, of Pittston, formerly of Mountain Top, passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.   Private family funeral service will be held from the Desiderio-Lehman Funeral and Cremation, 436 S. Mountain Blvd. Mountain Top. Interment will follow.