All Obituaries

George Michael Kokinda, Jr., 77, of Eagle Rock, passed away early Monday morning, February 9, 2026, at LVHN Cedar Crest in Allentown following a short illness. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, April 28, 1948, he was the son of the late George M. and Helen (Mrazik) Kokinda, Sr. and spent the past 42 years in Eagle Rock. George was a 1966 graduate of Hazle Township High School. He was a US Air Force veteran during the Vietnam War, having served from 1966 to 1970. After the service he was employed as a ...

After more than 25 years of fighting various cancers, Joseph M. Connor, 81, of Conyngham, succumbed to the disease on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton. Joe was born February 22, 1944, to Joseph and Agnes (Canavan) Connor. He graduated from Cardinal Brennan High School in 1962. He furthered his education by attending McCann School of Business and graduated with a degree in accounting. Joe served in the PA National Guard-Active Duty. He went on to work for the ...

Bernard "Byrne" Nenstiel, 90, of Mountain Top, passed away early Friday morning, January 30, 2026, at his residence following a one-year illness. Born in Hazleton, November 25, 1935, he was the son of the late Fred and Elizabeth (Widitz) Nenstiel and had spent most of his life in Mountain Top. Byrne was a graduate of Black Creek Twp. High School, class of 1955. He worked as a Welder for Myers Industries and Summit Manufacturing, both of Valmont having retired in 1997. He was a ...

Janice Dalzell, 78, of West Hazleton, passed away Thursday afternoon, January 29, 2026, at her residence. Born in Hazleton, January 30, 1947, she was the daughter of the late George F. and Lucretia M. (Eisenman) Paisley and had spent most of her life in the Hazleton area. Janice was a 1964 graduate of West Hazleton High School. She was employed as a factory worker for Pretium Packaging, Humbolt having retired in 2013. Janice was an avid race fan and staunch Evergreen Raceway supporter and ...

Irma Ruth Reimold, 98, formerly of White Haven, passed away January 26, 2026 at Heritage Hill Senior Community in Weatherly where she had been a guest for the past three years. Born in West Hazleton, August 5, 1927, she was the daughter of the late William H. and Louise (Walter) Lauderman and spent 37 years in White Haven, after moving from Clarksboro, NJ. Irma was a graduate of Hazleton High School class of 1945. She was employed as a Clerical Worker for New Jersey Bell in Woodbury, NJ ...

Alvin G. Kirschner, 69, of Drums, passed away Monday afternoon, January 26, 2026, at his residence. Born in Hazleton, April 16, 1956, he was the son of the late Alvin and Lorraine (Keck) Kirschner and had spent his entire life in Drums. Alvin was a Welder for Dorr Oliver in Hazleton and had also worked at Garland in Freeland and Newmark in Valmont. He was a member of St. John's UCC. Alvin enjoyed fishing, hunting, taking care of his vegetable garden and plants, and loved his dog, Emmy ...

Catherine E. Helfrich, 94, of Hanover Township, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026, at Allied Services Hospice Center Wilkes-Barre. Born in Wilkes-Barre, February 10, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Carl D. Wint and Catherine E. (Shulz) Keiper Wint and spent the past 66 years in Lee Park, Hanover Township. Catherine was a graduate of Elmer L. Meyers High School. She was employed as a Sorter for Harte-Hanks Distribution, Wilkes-Barre and retired after 30 years. She was preceded in ...

Arlene Poltrock, daughter of Howard and Anna Hoffman, passed on January 23. Her sister, Esther and nieces, Anne and Jill, thank everyone who provided Arlene care and comfort. A celebration of her life is scheduled for April 18 at St. John's Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mundie Fund at St. John's Lutheran Church, PO Box 2; 772 St Johns Road, St. Johns, PA 18247. Online condolences can be entered, and more information is available at ...

Eugene F. Clark, 87, formerly of Rochester, New York, passed away late Tuesday evening, January 20, 2026, at his daughter's residence in Conyngham, where he had been cared for the past year. Born in Rochester, NY, March 13, 1938, he was the son of the late Earl and Alfreda (Osburn) Clark and had spent most of his life in Rochester. Eugene attended Monroe High School and then graduated from Monroe Community College with his associates degree. Eugene was a US Army veteran having served from ...

Joyce E. DeFrain, 73, of Hazle Township, passed away January 20, 2026 at Forest Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Weatherly following a brief illness. Born in Hazleton, PA, June 2, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Ida (Knepper) Dice and spent her life in the Hazle Township area. Joyce was a Hazleton high school graduate in 1970. She then became a sewing machine operator for many factories in the Hazleton area before retiring. She enjoyed bird watching, ...