NICHOLAS BAKOS

LAKE ARIEL — Nicholas Bakos of Lake Ariel, formerly of Honesdale, a former co-owner of Steve’s Diner in Honesdale and owner of the Hawley Diner, died Saturday, April 28, 2001 at the IHS at Julia Ribaudo Nursing Home in Lake Ariel. He was 84.

Son of the late Steve and Mary Maskaleris Bakos, he was born in Scranton.

He was a graduate of Honesdale High School and was affiliated with the Hellenic Greek Orthodox Church in Scranton. He served in the Army during World War II in central Europe. He was a member of the American Legion and the American Institute of Bakers.

Survivors include his wife, Roberta “Bobbie” Gromlich; a daughter, Joanne Davies of Dalton; a sister, Katherine Blizotis of Honesdale; a brother, George of Honesdale; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Linda Moyer; two sisters, Kate Callas and Bessie Gower; and three brothers, John, Paul and Christopher.

Services were held at the Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Home in Spring Brook Township. The Rev. George Dimopoulos pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church in Wilkes-Barre officiated. Burial was in Fairview Memorial Park in Elmhurst.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

ROBERT J. BETZ

HONESDALE — Robert J. Betz of Honesdale, a 37-year engineer at IBM in Poughkeepsie, died Saturday, April 28, 2001.

He was born in Scranton.

He graduated from Honesdale High School in 1949 where he played in the band. After serving in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict he received a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Farmingdale. He was active in the Masons and the Poughkeepsie Methodist Church. He ran the couple’s Golf League and served on the board at Cross Creek Country Club.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy H.; two daughters, Kathy and husband Lloyd Wright and Linda Distel and husband Frank; a step-daughter, Ellen Desoto and husband Glenn; his twin brother, Donald and wife Jane; two grandsons and two step-grandsons.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

WIRA BOSAK

GLEN SPEY — Wira Bosak of Glen Spey, a 15-year area resident, died Wednesday, May 2, 2001 at home. She was 75.

Daughter of the late Gregory and Katherine Pidhirna Sapadasz, she was born October 2, 1925 in the Ukraine.

She was a member of St. Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Glen Spey.

Survivors include her husband, Wasyl at home; and two nephews, Donald Pilczak of Glen Spey and Walter Pilczak of East Stroudsburg.

A Liturgy Mass was held at St. Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. The Rev. Olesksa Kostyk officiated. Burial was in Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Hamptonburg.

RALPH W. DEXTER

NARROWSBURG — Ralph W. Dexter of Narrowsburg, a retired maintenance man of Right of Way for the Erie Railroad, having worked since 1928 at the age of 18 until retirement in 1972, and a lifelong area resident, died Monday, May 7, 2001 at the home. He was 90.

Son of Charles L. and Barbara Bebous Dexter, he was born December 20, 1910 in Cochecton in the same house where he lived during his lifetime.

He was a member, elder and trustee of the Lake Huntington Presbyterian Church; a former president and longtime treasurer of the Lava Fire Department; a former committeeman for many years of the Sullivan County Extention Service; a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad - Maintenance of Right of Way; a member of the Cochecton Preservation Society and the treasurer and trustee of the Dexter Family Cemetery. He also owned and operated a Christmas tree farm for many years.

Survivors include his wife Wilburta at home; two sons, James of Herkimer, and William and wife Jennie of Narrowsburg; two daughters, Barbara Myer and husband Clifford of Milford, PA and Doris Roda and husband Warren of Otisville; a brother-in-law, Eugene Thalman of the state of Texas; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Elsie; a granddaughter, Eileen; three brothers; and two sisters.

Services will be held on Thursday, May 10, at 11:00 a.m., at the Lake Huntington Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Jacob Wielhouwer will officiate.

DOROTHY LAMPART FIVES

HONESDALE — Dorothy Lampart Fives of Honesdale, a 42-year owner and operator with her husband of the Wayne Hotel, died Thursday, May 3, 2001 at the Providence Hospital in Mobile, AL. She was 82.

Daughter of the late Jacob and Mabel Mantle Lampart, she was born in Trenton, NJ. She was the widow of C. Robert Fives.

She was a member of St. John the Evangelical Lutheran Church and its Women’s Needle Group and the Honesdale Country Club.

Survivors include three sons, William P. of Mobile, AL, Charles R., Jr. of Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada and Paul L. of Silver Springs, MD; a daughter, Sharon Wellikson of Irvine, CA; a sister, Florence Gammerdinger of Honesdale; 10 grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

Services were held in St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Honesdale. The Rev. Paul Hagedorn officiated. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Honesdale.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 730 Pittston, Ave., Scranton, PA 18431 or the Women’s Needle Group of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Church and Seventh Streets, Honesdale, PA 18431.

CAROLYN A. IRWIN GRAFF

HAWLEY — Carolyn A. Irwin Graff of Hawley, former owner of Katherine’s Fashionette in Hawley, and a 38-year area resident, died Saturday, May 5, 2001 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. She was 59.

Daughter of the late Robert Irwin and Alice Rosencrance Irwin, she was born in Honesdale.

She was of the Lutheran faith and was formerly active with the Willing Workers at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hawley.

Survivors include her husband, Harold Graff of Hawley; two brothers, Robert Irwin and David Irwin, both of Dyberry, Honesdale; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a son, Harold; a brother, Grant; and a sister, Linda.

Private cremation took place at Maple Hill At Salem in Archbald. Burial was private at Green Gates Cemetery in Hawley.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hawley Ambulance & Rescue Co., 219 River Street, Hawley, PA 18428 or the Hawley Fire Department, PO Box 61, Hawley, PA 18428.

ESTHER A. KIMBLE

HONESDALE — Esther A. Kimble of Honesdale, died Tuesday, May 1, 2001 at home. She was 88.

Daughter and last surviving member of the Gustav and Agnes Olezefski Kittel family, she was born in Honesdale. She was the widow of Russell Clark Kimble.

She attended school in Honesdale and later attended the Wayne Commercial School. She and her husband raised their children at the former Bethany Homestead Farms for 24 years. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale and attended St. Mary Magdalen’s Church when she was able.

Survivors include a son, Donald and wife Marion of Newton, NJ; a daughter, Janice Johnson of Roselle, IL; five grandchildren, Amy Wagner, Daniel Rowe, Tammy Miserendino, Michael Kimble and Ann Marie Nyhan; 10 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a sister, Ruth Falivano.

Services were held at the Hessling Funeral Home in Honesdale. The Rev. Andrew Sinnott of St. John the Evangelist Parish officiated. Burial was in St. Mary Magdalen’s Cemetery in Honesdale.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s favorite Hospice provider; the American Cancer Society; or the charity of one’s choice.

ELIZABETH H. MORGAN

WHITE MILLS — Elizabeth H. “Betty” Morgan of White Mills, a retired secretary for Highlights for Children, died Monday, April 30, 2001 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. She was 76.

Daughter of the late Andrew and Lauretta Campbell Houth, she was born in Oregon Township.

She attended Honesdale High School and graduated from Chester High School in Chester, NY. She was a graduate of Wayne Commercial School in Honesdale.

Survivors include her husband, Roy H. Morgan; a son, William Houth of Honesdale; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service was held at the convenience of the family.

MARIO MICHAEL RUSSO

NARROWSBURG — Mario Michael Russo of Narrowsburg, a retired customs officer for U.S. Customs and a 14-year area resident, died Friday, May 4, 2001 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. He was 87.

Son of Vincenzo and Accursio Colletti Russo, he was born February 18, 1915 in New York City. He was the widower of Josephine Mauriello Russo.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church in Narrowsburg; the Knights of Columbus; the Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include a son, Vincent of the state of Florida; a stepson, Joseph Santarella of the state of Florida; a daughter, Linda Smith of Narrowsburg; a brother, William of Staten Island; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by three brothers.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 10, at St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church in Narrowsburg. The Rev. Thomas Jones will officiate. Cremation took place at Twin Tiers Crematory in Endicott.

A Mass will also be held in Staten Island at a time and place to be announced. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp, in Staten Island.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church, Narrowsburg, NY 12764.

HELENE V. STAMM

OXFORD — Helene V. Stamm of Oxford, a retired typist, formerly of Queens, died Thursday, April 26. 2001 at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford. She was 84.

Daughter of the late George and Helena Delach, she was born January 6, 1917 in Patchogue. She was the widow of Bernard J. Stamm.

Survivors include a daughter, Bernadette of Liberty; a son, James of Queens; a brother, Henry Delach of the state of Florida; a sister, Dorothy VanDeroort of Rochester; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a daughter, Jane Kennefick; a brother, George; and two sisters, Rosemarie and Veronica.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Woodbourne. Burial was in the Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn.

JOSEPH R. VERDEROSA

HAWLEY — Joseph R. Verderosa of Fawn Lake in Hawley, a retired letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, and a 23-year area resident, died Thursday, May 3, 2001 at home. He was 80.

Son of the late Gatano Verderosa and Vincenza Gravieri Verderosa, he was born in Brooklyn, NY. He was the widower of Carmen Alletto Verderosa.

He belonged to the Queen of Peace R.C. Church in Hawley. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He served with the Civilian Conservation Corps, Camp S-60 in Paul Smith, NY; and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

Survivors include three daughters, Diane Frolio of Tucson, AZ, Irene Menendes of Brentwood, NY and Annette Ruiz of Albuquerque, NM; two sons, Robert of Oceanside, NY and Joseph of Phoenix, AZ; a brother, Anthony of Fawn Lake Forest, Hawley; a loving companion and caregiver, Gertrude Feltman of Fawn Lake Forest in Hawley; 10 grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Queen of Peace R.C. Church in Hawley. The Rev. Edward Finn officiated. Burial was in Green Gates Cemetery in Hawley.

DORIS THERESA WETZEL

HAWLEY — Doris Theresa Wetzel of Hawley, a retired personnel administrator at William Esty Advertising in New York, NY, died Saturday, April 28, 2001 at Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg. She was 69.

Daughter of Anton and Lena Pilzweger Kirchmann, she was born in Brooklyn, NY.

She was a member of the Tri-State German American Society in Port Jervis.

Survivors include her husband, John Carl Wetzel; three sons, John and wife Ann of Succasunna, NJ; Eric and wife Linda of Hemlock Farms, Hawley, and Paul A. of Jamesville, NY; and two grandchildren, Andrew and Melissa.

Services were held at St. John Neumann Church in Lord’s Valley. The Rev. Gerard Hawley officiated. Burial was in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter, 219 N. Broad Street, Suite 2, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

MARGARET KARCH ZAIMES

LACKAWAXEN — Margaret Karch Zaimes, author, World War II war correspondent and lifelong news photographer and magazine columnist, and a nine-year area resident, died Tuesday, May 1, 2001 at home. She was 85.

Daughter of the late George A. Karch and Mabel Ernst Karch, she was born in Nazareth, PA.

She started her newspaper career as a reporter for the Easton (PA) Express and later joined the staff of the Allentown (PA) Call-Chronicle Newspapers in the Bethlehem Bureau. In 1940 she was named Society Editor of the former Newburgh News. It was there she met her husband, Charley Zaimes. They moved to Washington, DC to work for the Harris and Ewing Photo News agency, which serviced metropolitan papers including the NY Herald Tribune, The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Chicago Tribune, the NY PM and The Los Angeles Times Mirror. They were offered jobs as war correspondents to report on the activities of Red Cross personnel serving with the armed forces. She was assigned to the European Theater of Operations and covered the war in England, France, Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg and Germany while her husband was in Italy, Sicily and the Middle Eastern Theater.

She published a cookbook, “The Best of Fin Fare,” in 1978 and wrote cooking features for Anglers News for eight years and wrote “Meals from the Creel” for the PA Fish Commissions magazine, Pennsylvania Angler.

She was a longtime member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and served on that organization’s board of directors.

Survivors include her husband; two sons, Dimitri G. of Lackawaxen and Jon P. of Felton, DE; a grandson, Adam Jason of Felton; a brother, Edward L. Karch of Nazareth; a sister, Mary Chumas of Nazareth; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a brother, William F. Karch of Nazareth.

Services were private with a memorial service at a later date.

Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or a favorite charity.