Recent  Obituaries

Edward J. Kwak, Sr., 86, of Shavertown, passed away Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at Allied Services Meade Street, Wilkes Barre PA. Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Alexander and Mary (Koval) Kwak.

Ed graduated from Coughlin High School in 1957. He attended Kings College and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology in 1961. He served in the United States Army from 1961 to 1964 with a rank of Specialist Fourth Class/SP4. He worked as a Supervisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare in Luzerne County from 1965 to 2001.

Ed was a proud Gold member of the North End Slovak Citizen’s Club in Wilkes Barre. He was also a member of St. Therese’s Church, the Dallas American Legion, Carpatho-Russian Citizen’s Club, the Polish American Veterans Club in Plains, retired AFSCME, and past member of the Hanover Township Notre Dame Club. For many years Ed coached in the Back Mountain Little League, Teeners League and mini football. He was also a past officer of the Dallas High School Football Booster’s Club.

Ed loved to listen to Polkas. He enjoyed vacationing in Tampa, FL and Myrtle Beach, SC with his family and going on cruises with his wife. He was an avid fan of Notre Dame Football and Basketball, the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Yankees. He especially loved getting together with his family to watch Notre Dame Football games on Saturdays in the fall.

In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his brother Joseph Kwak, sister-in-law Elizabeth Kwak, sister Jeanette Blazes, brother-in-law William Blazes, Sr., brother-in-law Charles Butler, and nephew Alexander Fowler.

Surviving are his wife of 59 years, the former Mary Ann Estock, son Edward Jr., daughter-in-law Amy, grandson Brian, sister Ann Kwak, several nieces, nephews and cousins.



A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 5th at 11am at St. Frances Cabrini Church, Mt. Olivet Rd., Wyoming. Rev. Joseph Pisaneschi will serve as officiant. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Dallas. Friends may call Thursday from 9am to 10:30am at Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home, Inc., 140 N. Main St., Shavertown.

Susan Elaine Wilce, lovingly known as Sue, of Dallas, passed away peacefully on February 25 2026, at Allied Hospice in Wilkes-Barre, on what would have been her 59th wedding anniversary, reuniting with her loving husband, Robert, the love of her life. They shared 47 beautiful years together before his passing in 2014.Together they built a life rooted in devotion, laughter, enduring love, and loyalty.

She was born on March 2, 1944, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, to Suzanne and Herbert Mars.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert; her brother, Herbie; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Sue graduated from Wilkes-Barre General Hospital School of Nursing in 1965 and devoted more than five decades of her life to caring for others. She began her nursing career at Nesbitt Hospital and continued her calling at Moses Taylor Hospital, where she retired in 2016. As a Registered Nurse in Labor and Delivery, she helped bring countless new lives into the world. Nursing was never simply her profession — it was her heart. She offered calm reassurance, and unwavering compassion during life’s most sacred moments.

She had a deep love for the ocean and spent a lot of time by the shore, even during the quieter seasons, where she found peace listening to the rhythm of the waves. She was a passionate football fan who never missed a Steelers, Ravens, or Penn State game. Football Sundays were sacred, and she cheered faithfully through every season. Sue also had a love for painting. Many of her paintings hang in our home and will always be cherished. She thoughtfully created handmade cards for every occasion, each one made with love and care.

Even during her illness, Sue’s strength never wavered. No matter how sick or uncomfortable she felt, she continued to show grace, humor, and warmth. Nurses and staff were drawn to her spirit — she somehow managed to build her own little “fan club” simply by being herself. Her resilience and quiet courage left a lasting impression on everyone who cared for her.

She leaves behind her devoted daughter, Suzanne; her beloved son-in-law, Dean, whom she lovingly referred to as her “best child”; and her cherished grandson, Gage, proudly known as her best friend and her “favorite grandson,” whom she loved “to the moon and back.” The bond they shared was beautiful and unbreakable. She is also lovingly remembered by many dear friends and very special nieces and nephews who held a very special place in her heart and brought her great joy throughout her life; and by her orange furry friend "Thor" and her large lapdog Nix. She is now reunited with her granddogs, Roman and Rozlyn, who she loved dearly.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Mary Wilce and Dr. Kerry Hoffman for their exceptional love and support. The family also thanks Dr. Jane Durkin, her longtime physician. We are deeply grateful to the hospice team at Allied for the compassionate and dignified care they provided. To Patty — your quiet strength and gentle presence meant more than words can ever express.

Friends may call Friday, March 6^th from 5pm to 7pm at Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home, Inc., 140 N. Main St., Shavertown.   A prayer service will begin near the end of the visitation. 

Sue’s legacy is one of compassion, resilience, quiet strength, humor, and unconditional love. The many lives she touched will carry her memory forward forever.

“Cardinals appear when angels are near.”

NANCY THOMAS HEDDEN

Nancy Thomas Hedden, age 85, of Hazle Twp., passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, surrounded by the love of her husband and children.

Born in Plymouth, PA, to the late Thomas William Thomas and Ruth Goulstone Thomas, Nancy was a woman defined by her deep love of children, family, friends, and community. A 1958 graduate of Plymouth High School, her passion for music led her to Wilkes University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Nancy taught for 19 years at Wyoming Seminary Lower School in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, First Grade, and was the Early Childhood Education Coordinator.

Nancy is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Carl Hedden; her children and their spouses, Lowri Foyle (Darien, CT), Megan Solis (Darien, CT), Stephen Hedden (Alamo, CA), and Claire Hedden (Normal, IL); her brothers and their spouses, Thomas W. Thomas, Jr. (Aston, PA) and Albert Thomas (Kingston, PA), nieces, nephews, and her lifelong best friend, Patricia Smith (Wyoming, PA). Her 10 grandchildren, whom she loved beyond words, lit up her life- each have a quilt made by their Nana to keep them warm. Nancy was preceded in death in 1969 by Donald T. Jones, her first husband. 

A Service for Remembering Nancy will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St Wilkes-Barre, Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 11 am with a reception following.

CAROL BELMONT

Carol Belmont, 88, of Dallas, passed away Saturday, January 31st 2026 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, unexpectedly as a result of complications from a fall.       

Born in Nanticoke, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Gertrude (Locke) Price.

After graduating Nanticoke high school she attended Wilkes University, Penn State and LCCC colleges. She had worked at McGregor sportswear Nanticoke, Midway Tool Engineering and Daltec Corporations.

 She was judge of elections in Jackson Township for 34 years, President of Irem Ladies Auxiliary, member of the Irem ladies golf association, member of the director staff ladies, and became 1st Lady of Irem in 2006. Carol loved to travel, going on more than a dozen cruises, and could often be found in Las Vegas.

In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her daughter Deborah Piper and son Randal Moskaluk and grandson Sean Clemow.

Surviving are her loving husband of 35 years Richard Belmont, Donna and husband Ray Sterwerf of Ohio, and Richard and wife Dorene Moskaluk of Dallas. Also 9 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.       

The family would like to thank the staff at Geisinger hospital for their compassion and care during her stay at the hospital.

Friends may call Friday, March 20th from 4-6pm at Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home, Inc., 140 N. Main St., Shavertown.  A Memorial Service will begin toward the end of the visitation.

Memorial donations may be made to Irem Shrine 70 Ridgeway Dallas Pa. 18612

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