Obituaries

Gerard A. Neumann, Jr., known as Jerry (or Butch to his family), of New York City and Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania, passed away on April 5, 2025. Jerry was a devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was 83 years old.
Jerry was born in Queens Village, New York to Gerard and Alice Neumann on July 28, 1941, one of eight children. He grew up in Laurelton, Queens and Great Neck, NY, attending Holy Cross High School in Flushing. He met his wife Susan on the beach in Quogue, NY when they were 17 years old. They dated through college and married in 1964. After graduating from Notre Dame University in 1963, Jerry attended the US Navy Deep Sea Diving School and joined the United States Navy as a member of the Naval Construction Battalions, the Seabees, serving as an officer until 1967.
After the Navy, Jerry joined the New York City-based heavy marine construction firm Spearin, Preston & Burrows. His first project was as an Assistant Superintendent for a cable laying project at Cook Inlet in Anchorage, Alaska. He also managed the construction of innumerable marine projects along the East Coast including Pier 40, the Water Club and the River Cafe, Battery Park Ferry Terminal, and the Wall Street heliport (the heliport is founded on a barge, and as part of the final negotiations with the Port Authority Jerry insisted it retain its name-The Alice G. Neumann-in perpetuity to honor his Mother.)

Linda Ann (Pepia) Knecht, 63, of Cresco, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Born in East Stroudsburg, she was the daughter of the late John and Rose (Flowers) Pepia. Linda was a creative and fun-loving friend to many. She enjoyed crafting in her free time. Above all, she endlessly loved simple moments with her family.
Survivors: Linda will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Katherine "Katie" Knecht; son, Daniel Knecht; sister, Kathryn Pepia - Nordbo and her husband John; brother, John Pepia and his wife Jill; aunt, Lorraine Kazmac and her husband Joseph, as well as, many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. Linda is preceded in death by her son, Kevin Knecht.

Frank J. Kleinsorge, 63, of Cresco, PA, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

Born on December 1, 1961, in Allentown, PA, he was the son of the late Frank and Elizabeth (Betz) Kleinsorge.

Beloved husband. Father. Grandfather. Son, brother, cousin, and friend. Frank was a lover of life. An avid bicyclist. He loved being outdoors, and the Poconos provided abundant space for hikes, bike rides, and wonderful walks. He loved fast, noisy cars, working on cars in his garage, and enjoyed long rides in his Audi. Frank was a Veteran and served honorably in the Gulf War as a Captain in the Air Force. He was a proud American. Above all else, Frank loved Jesus. His church family held a special place in his heart. He was the patriarch of the family and enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. The beach was his happy place. He enjoyed relaxing in the sand, cooling off in the ocean, and taking his two adoring Labrador Retrievers for a swim or beach run.

Frank was strong, caring, and brave. Frank was loved and respected by all who came in contact with him. He will be missed greatly.

John "Jack" Joseph Sherwood, 84, of Cresco, PA, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2025, at St. Luke's Hospital-Monroe Campus. He was the loving husband of Brenda (Coffman) Sherwood, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Born September 16, 1940, in Dover, NJ, Jack was the son of the late Joseph and Alice (Tierney) Sherwood.

Jack retired in 2001 after 40+ years of combined service with Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, NJ, and Tobyhanna Army Depot in Tobyhanna, PA. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, John and Debra Sherwood; his aunt, Irene Tierney; sister, Suzanne Adams; brother-in law and sister-in-law, Bill and Barbara Coffman; sister-in-law, Joyce Coffman, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Sevret; brothers, Joseph Sherwood and Paul Sherwood.

Eamonn Greenan, 43, of Cresco, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025. Born in Yonkers, NY, he was the son Edward and Noreen (Keane) Greenan. Eamonn was the beloved husband of Mary Clare (O'Keefe) Greenan with whom he shared his lifetime with. Mary and Eamonn met when they were 15 years old. Eamonn worked as a day laborer for the Local 731. He was a member at Innovation Church of Cresco.

In addition to his wife, Mary Clare and parents, Edward and Noreen, Eamonn will be lovingly remembered by his sons, Liam Joseph Greenan and Aidan Finnegan Greenan; daughter, Norahayne Greenan; sisters, Veronica Dixon and her husband Sean, Sister Maria Goretti and Genevieve Greenan, as well as, many beloved nieces and nephews.

Mary Ann Krolikowski, R.N., 81, of Cresco passed away at home on Friday, January 10, 2025 after an illness.

Born on February 2, 1943, and raised in Old Forge, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Mikiewicz) Lefchak. Mary Ann graduated from Old Forge High School in the class of 1960 and pursued her education at Wilkes College and College Misericordia and earned her registered nurses license from Nesbitt Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Kingston, where she was recognized with third academic honors in her class.

Mary Ann began her nursing career after moving to Saltaire Fire Island, NY, and later relocated to the Poconos, where she worked at Pocono Hospital for many years. She transitioned to school nursing, serving primarily at Barrett Elementary Center and Monsignor McHugh School. While raising her daughters, Mary Ann achieved a significant milestone by earning her Master’s degree in 1988 from College Misericordia.

Mary Ann had a zest for life that took her all over the world with her friends and daughters. She cherished time spent with her Birthday Club friends and enjoyed walking, yoga, and the beach.

Robert K. "Bob" Kistler, 60, of Cresco, passed away Tuesday morning January 14, 2025, at his home in Cresco.

Bob was born in Scranton on February 27, 1964, to Kenneth and Shirley "BJ" (Nauman) Kistler also of Cresco. He graduated from Pocono Mountain High School and was currently employed as the manager of Pocono Ski Rentals in Tannersville.

John Stanley Orleski, of Cresco, Pa., passed away at Slate Belt Health and Rehabilitation Center on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, after an illness. He was 91.

John was born on March 4, 1933, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., to the late Francis (Jawor) and Alexander Orleski. He grew up in a large family in Scranton Patch and spent his life dedicated to his family. John joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas where he also became the chaplain's assistant. John met the love of his life while living in Philadelphia, and married Carol, who preceded him in death eight years ago. He missed her every single day.

Irlene Naomi Miller, 86, of Ashley passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. She was born in Cresco a daughter of the late George and Naomi Haggerty Price.

She was a graduate of Barrett Township High School and formerly employed at Kmart. Irlene was a member of the Tobyhanna Township Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. She loved to attend western dances and was a tooled leather work artist.

She was a loving wife and mother and was preceded in death by her husband, Cloyd J. Miller; son, Charles Gross; brother Ted Price.

Surviving are her daughter Dawn Gross, Ashley; daughter-in-law Linda Gross; sister-in-law, Judy Price; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

George Adlow Traugh left this world peacefully, at home with loved ones on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from complications of cancer. He was 85.

George was born to Anna Ellen (Zieser) and Jesse Grant Traugh, the next-to-last of five boys - Bob, Richard, Jesse, Jr., and Denny- and grew up in Berwick, Pa. He joined the U.S. Air Force after High School and served his country for three years with honor in Europe and elsewhere.

James 'Jim' F. Walsh of Canadensis and formerly of Scranton, died Friday November 22, 2024, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Anne Rainey Walsh. Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late James and Gertrude Graham Walsh. Through his career he worked for Cohen & Cohen, Stroudsburg; Instrument Specialties/Laird, Delaware Water Gap; Carson & Robert’s, New Jersey; and retired as the Chief Financial Officer of Noble Biomaterials, Scranton.

Margaret (McNevin) Pfirman, 96, of Cresco, passed away at home on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
Born in Binghamton, New York; she was the daughter of the late H. McNevin and Daisy Carob.