Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home

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Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Our family owned funeral home has had the privilege of serving many families in the Back Mountain.

Services Offered
We provide traditional, green, cremation, prearranged, immediate burial and out of town receiving/forwarding services. Traditional Funeral Service: A service where the body is present for visiting hours and a funeral ceremony is conducted either privately or publicly, usually at the funeral home or a church. The visitation can be the same day just prior to the service or the day before the service. Green Funeral: In general terms, this involves holding the deceased's remains without embalming or purchase of a burial vault. Also, the use of a biodegradable casket (designed to return to the elements of the earth) in a designated cemetery, along with a meaningful celebration of life at the graveside. Direct Cremation: When a cremation is preferred it may be immediate with no viewing. With this service, families may want a memorial service either at the funeral home or elsewhere with or without the cremains present. Many families choose to have a visitation and a funeral service with an open casket followed by cremation. Prearranging: More and more people are prearranging their funeral. It gives them to opportunity to express their wishes with family, make informed choices and take the stress and burden off of their family at a most difficult time. It also gives those who have no family to make their arrangements a peace of mind, knowing that their instructions will be carried out. For a personal consultation on prearranging and pre-funding, please contact us. Immediate Burial: This is burial that without visitation or funeral ceremony. A memorial service may be held later, either at the funeral home or elsewhere.

Darl “Pup” L. Lanning, age 81 of Hunlock Creek, passed away Friday, August 14, 2026 at his home surrounded by his loving...
08/15/2026

Darl “Pup” L. Lanning, age 81 of Hunlock Creek, passed away Friday, August 14, 2026 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Hunlock Creek on January 30, 1945 and was the son of the late Elmer and Ola “Luceil” Edwards Lanning.

Darl graduated from Lake-Lehman High School, Class of 1963. He retired as a foreman for Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority, Hanover Township. Darl was a member of the Rimrock Muzzleloader Club, Huntington Mills Sportsman Club, and the Village Tavern Dart League. He loved to hunt, fish, golf, throw darts, and play baseball. Darl was a loving husband, father, brother, and uncle.

Darl is survived by his wife of 53 years, the former Elizabeth “Betty” Jane Cambell Lanning; son, Adam L. Lanning (Sarah) of Hunlock Creek; brothers, Ronald Lanning (Cheryl) and Larry Lanning (Jo Ann), both of Hunlock Creek; sister, Connie Doty of Dallas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek, with Rev. Linda Mericle of Commonwealth Hospice officiating.

A Viewing will be held Monday, August 17, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Lake Township.

Online condolences can be made to clswansonfuneralhome.com

Caitlin A. Sikora, age 36 of Hunlock Creek, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.She...
08/15/2026

Caitlin A. Sikora, age 36 of Hunlock Creek, passed away Sunday, August 9, 2026 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

She was born in Summit, NJ on June 21, 1990 and is the daughter of Christopher Sikora of Hunlock Creek and Colleen Guidetti of New Jersey.

Caitlin graduated from Northwest High School in 2009, where she played field hockey. She had a great love of animals, especially cats.

Caitlin is preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, John Sikora.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by brother, Brett Sikora; paternal grandmother, Bettey Sikora; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com

Evaline Mae King, age 89 of Harveys Lake, entered her eternal rest on August 9, 2026, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospit...
08/14/2026

Evaline Mae King, age 89 of Harveys Lake, entered her eternal rest on August 9, 2026, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.

She was born on June 24, 1937 in Lake Township, to the late Ida Mae McNeal and William Calvin King.

She attended Laketon High School and lived many years in Philadelphia where she was the owner of a small cleaning business, worked as a seamstress, clerked for an attorney, and an insurance office. Upon transition to her retirement years, she returned to Luzerne County. She enjoyed cooking and crocheting. She had a sharp mind and had a great memory and enjoyed sharing stories of family events if you didn’t mind listening.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Francis Gertrude Schooley, brothers, Irving Calvin, John Henry, and Victor Ralph, Sr.

Evaline never married nor had any children; surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

As she wished, she will be interned Wednesday September 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM in the Chestnut Grove Cemetery behind the Loyalville UMC Church and find her final rest with her grandparents, Theodore and Clara.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com

Ronald I. Spencer, age 79 of Sweet Valley, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 surrounded by his f...
08/05/2026

Ronald I. Spencer, age 79 of Sweet Valley, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 surrounded by his family.

He retired after 30 years of service at Proctor and Gamble, Mehoopany and later worked at Weis Markets in Dallas. After his retirement, he enjoyed fishing, was an avid coin collector, once enjoyed hunting, loved classic cars, and will be remembered for his witty sense of humor.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Edris Spencer; brothers, Gerald and Kenneth; sister, Winifred “Wink” Fleming.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Barbara; children, Amy of Sweet Valley, Melissa (Mark) of Noxen, Cindy (Tony) of Kingston, Ron (Heather) of Reading, Betty (Paul) of Dallas, Kelly (Barry) of Florida, and Julie (Steve) of Jim Thorpe; sisters, Barbara (Jack) of Dallas and Betty (Mike) of Exeter; 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek, with Pastor Dave Martin, officiating.

Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

Online condolences can be made to clswansonfuneralhome.com

William “Billy” W. Burke, Sr., age 55 of Shickshinny, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at home.He was born in Cheverl...
08/05/2026

William “Billy” W. Burke, Sr., age 55 of Shickshinny, passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at home.

He was born in Cheverly, MD on January 1, 1971 and was the son of the late Joseph and Carolyn Martin Burke.

Billy worked at Derman Associates for over 7 years as a foreman. He loved working on vehicles and spending time with his family. Billy also enjoyed helping his son, Kristian, with his hobbies and snacking on Wonka bars.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Joan; sons, William Burke, Jr. (Karissa) of Bloomsburg and Kristian Burke (Hope) of Shickshinny; brother, Tommy “Bubba” Burke (Jayne) of Berwick; sisters, Tamara Ball (Tom) of Virginia, Christine Burke of Berwick and Megan Burke of Maryland; grandson, Bentley; dogs, Jack “Dumbo”, Patrick “Sissy Boy”, Malibu “Princess”, and Yukon “Special Needs”.

At his request, there will be no funeral services or calling hours.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Liver Foundation, Charitable Giving, PO Box 229, West Orange, NJ 07052.

Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com

Thomas A. “Kadoo” Kordowski, 73, passed away on Saturday, July 25th, at VA Hospice Center in Philadelphia, PA with all o...
07/30/2026

Thomas A. “Kadoo” Kordowski, 73, passed away on Saturday, July 25th, at VA Hospice Center in Philadelphia, PA with all of his family by his side. He was born in Newark, New Jersey. He then moved to Kearny, NJ before residing to Sweet Valley for the last 46 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas H. and Elizabeth Kordowski, and his sister, Diane.

Tom “Kadoo” is survived by his loving wife, MaryEllen, with whom he would have celebrated 49 years of marriage on July 30; his three daughters, Jennifer (Drew) of Freehold, New Jersey, Claire (Michael) of Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Crystal of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania; and his four cherished grandchildren, Maximus, Grayden, Andrew, and Allie, who brought him immense joy. He also leaves behind his beloved “PITA” niece, Tina, of Farmingdale, New Jersey, with whom he shared a special bond; his grandpup, Sammi, who will surely miss the extra treats from Pop-Pop; as well as many other nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

Tom “Kadoo” proudly served his country as a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran on the USS Tripoli LPH-10. He was a passionate advocate for fellow veterans, encouraging them to fight for their disability benefits and recognition they deserved. He was a staunch motorcycle rider all year long when possible. He loved fishing, spending time with his family, friends and meeting up with his buddies at the Vet Center every week. He was a “character” who made people laugh, and if you ever needed him, he was always there no matter what. He was a man with unwavering honesty, a true friend and a great guy.

Tom “Kadoo” will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of Tom “Kadoo’s” life will be announced by the family at a later date.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

The family would like to say thank you to the doctors, nurses, hospice care and staff at the VA in Philadelphia for not only taking excellent care of Tom during his final days but the love and compassion that they showed for the whole family during this difficult time. A special thank you also goes out to Dr. McDonnaugh for the extraordinary care, compassion, and personal support shown to both Tom and MaryEllen. Dr. McDonnaugh’s kindness, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond will always be remembered with deep appreciation.

Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com

Gary William Johnston, 75 years old, has passed into the arms of Heaven. He is survived by his wife Louise Elaine Edward...
07/23/2026

Gary William Johnston, 75 years old, has passed into the arms of Heaven. He is survived by his wife Louise Elaine Edwards of Sweet Valley, daughter Iris Johnston of Scranton, brother Robert Johnston of NJ, sister Patricia Sheehan of CA, nieces and nephews, and many friends. He was predeceased by his brothers Stephen and Roy.

Gary was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, the son of AT&T electrical engineer Robert Johnston and Marie-Terése (Terry) Johnston.

He stood out as a tall, handsome student gifted in mathematics and music. Although the accordion pleased his Francophone mother, Gary played bass guitar and lent his smooth tenor to rock bands as a teen. He grew his hair long, danced at Woodstock, and adopted the nickname Dave Fidulack.

As the eldest son of working parents, Gary learned kitchen fundamentals early and became an excellent home chef. His specialties included all-day red sauce with meatballs, gumbo, Country style ribs, egg rolls, chicken Francese, and wild boar ragout. He was a skilled and meticulous gardener who grew many of the vegetables that went into these dishes. His enormous home garden often drew visitors who admire his array of irises, dahlias, and other flowers.

Gary attended Wilkes University with a scholarship in math, but found his true calling in the arts. He graduated with a degree in Art Education in 1973. His abstract paintings are notable for their wild yet masterful use of color balanced with soothing form.

He used his creativity building homes with friends Tony Toluba, David Koral, Alan Stroud, Robert Weisberger, and partnered with Bill Parry in the "Who's There Door Company". He eventually settled into a career as a manufacturer's representative, using his intelligence and charm to become the #1 salesman in the Northeast Region for many years at C.H. Briggs. His #2 was frequently Robert Warunek, a longtime friend.

While student teaching at the Northwest Area School District , Gary met Louise Elaine Edwards, saying later, “I knew she was the one.” They saw no reason to marry but remained devoted partners for 53 years. Their early years were full of adventure, whether it was volunteering at a co-op, hosting Saturday Night Live viewing parties, or enjoying holidays at Ortley Beach, NJ.

Gary was a devoted father and husband who could build anything for his family, from bunk beds and a picnic table to functional dams and stone walls. When his daughter’s local production of “Annie Warbucks” lost a lead in 1997, Gary shaved his head and learned all his lines and songs in a period of 3 days to become Daddy Warbucks. He taught his daughter how to play poker, do math in her head, and to question authority respectfully. It is her hope that Gary rests easily in the garden of Heaven.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com

Jacqueline Allabaugh passed away on July 17, 2026. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Allabaugh, w...
07/21/2026

Jacqueline Allabaugh passed away on July 17, 2026. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Allabaugh, who passed away in 2021.

Born to William and Janet Brothers, Jacqueline is survived by her sons, Steven Allabaugh (Angelia), and Kevin Allabaugh; her grandchildren, Derek, Megan, Amanda, and Kiera; her great-granddaughter, Jane; and her niece, Lisa Tyson. She shared a special lifelong bond with her twin sister, Janet, whose memory remained close to her heart.

For many years, Jacqueline worked in the business office at Penn State Wilkes-Barre in Lehman, Pennsylvania, where she was known for her dedication and strong work ethic. Following retirement, Jacqueline and George enjoyed many years traveling south for the winter in their motorhome, exploring new places and creating memories together.

Jacqueline's life was marked by hard work, dedication and resilience. She will be remembered fondly and missed by those who knew her.

Private funeral arrangements are being handled at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to support the students and legacy of Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Contributions can be made online at raise.psu.edu or checks can be mailed to: The Penn State Office of Gift Planning, 329 Innovation Blvd, Suite 313, State College, PA 16803, in memory of Jacqueline Allabaugh.

Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Michael “Mike” F. Rush, age 66, of Harveys Lake, on Friday, ...
07/20/2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Michael “Mike” F. Rush, age 66, of Harveys Lake, on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Allied Hospice in Wilkes-Barre.

There are few people in this world who would quite literally give you the shirt off their back; Mike was one of them. Kind, generous, considerate, loyal, respectful, and genuine, he was a man of rare character. To know him was to love him, and he was loved deeply by all who were fortunate enough to know the true essence of who he was.

Mike was born in Wilkes-Barre on September 27, 1959, to the late Michael and Margaret (Gola) Rush. A 1977 graduate of Coughlin High School, Mike was a talented, award-winning professional roller skater in his youth. He also spent many years working at Acme Markets, a time in his life that brought him many enduring friendships.

Mike later moved to Harveys Lake. Self-employed as a skilled information technology (IT) specialist, Mike fell in love with the lake itself, spending much of his free time on the water and jet skiing. Driven by a deep love for his community, Mike generously brought his IT expertise to Harveys Lake Borough, saving taxpayers thousands of dollars over the years. He also worked with the Harveys Lake Recreation Committee, bringing numerous events to life that were enjoyed by many in the community. His commitment to public service culminated in his tenure as the Mayor of Harveys Lake from 2022 to 2025. He was also a proud member of the Sons of the American Legion, Harveys Lake Post 967.

Mike is survived by his cousin, Gayle Lentini and family of Bear Creek Township; Howard Gola of Harveys Lake; and extended family members. He will be dearly missed by those closest to him, including Charlie Musial; his "sisters," Patti Adamshick and Liz Martin; Dave and Karen Sebolka; and Fran Kopko, as well as a lifetime of cherished friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Harveys Lake American Legion Post 967. Details will be provided at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of Routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

Memorial donations may be made to Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, 974 Lockville Rd., Dallas, PA 18612.

Online condolences can be shared at clswansonfuneralhome.com.

Melanie Ann Fox, age 52 of Hunlock Creek, passed away unexpectedly Friday, July 17, 2026 at home. She was born in Kingst...
07/17/2026

Melanie Ann Fox, age 52 of Hunlock Creek, passed away unexpectedly Friday, July 17, 2026 at home.

She was born in Kingston on May 15, 1974 and is now at peace reunited with her late parents, Matthew and Doris Redmond Fox.

Melanie attended Lake-Lehman High School. Throughout her life, she held to her faith as one of Jehovah’s Witness, resting now with the comfort of the resurrection.

Melanie is survived by her resilient children, Julia Newberry Nowak (John) of Sweet Valley, John Fox of Hunlock Creek, and Cody Fox (McKenzi) of Shavertown; grandchildren, Alaska, Isaiah, Iris.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are by the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.

Melanie had a great love of animals especially cats, in her honor the family requests memorial donations to be made to the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 E Main St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com

Address

2386 State Route 118
Hunlock Creek, PA
18621

Telephone

+15704772500

Website

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