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Obituaries

IRA T. REYNOLDS

Ira T Reynolds, 108, of Susquehanna passed away quietly on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the Barnes-Kasson Hospital in Susquehanna, PA. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years Beatrice (Smith) Reynolds; daughter Diane; brothers Robert, Calvin and Ford Reynolds; and sister Martha (Reynolds) Hall.

He is survived by grandchildren Mitchell, Erika and Siri Hansen; and great-grandchildren Deborah, Daniel, Joy, Abigail, Esther, Joshua and Rebekah Hansen; several nieces and nephews.

Born and raised in Luzerne Boro, at the age of 12 Ira joined the Boy Scouts of America, only four years after the organization was formed, and spent the greater part of his long life serving Scouting, and displaying all of the qualities enumerated in the Scout Law: Loyal, Honest, Trustworthy, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. His first Scoutmaster was Dr. Laurance Thompson, who wrote the First Aid section of the original Scout Handbook, and who saw such potential in the young Ira Reynolds that he lent the family the wherewithal to send him to Penn State at the tender age of 16, to study Electrical Engineering. After two years, Ira elected to join the US Navy for three years, in order to finish his training while earning a salary in order to be able to repay the advance in a more timely fashion. Ira thoroughly enjoyed his naval service on the SS Delaware, the last of the coal-burning battleships, and visiting exotic ports in the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.

In 1924 his skills as an electrician found him at a tannery in Noxen, PA where he met a schoolteacher from Oakland, PA, Beatrice Smith, and in 1928 they were married in Susquehanna, where he spent the rest of his long life devoted to his family and community. Mr. Reynolds worked for many years for the Erie Railroad in Susquehanna, fixing any electrical problems that occurred on the stretch of railroad between Salamanca and Port Jervis, as well as in the Erie shops, and every Monday morning, he climbed the clock tower to wind the station clock.

Many of his friends and neighbors have fond memories of completing their tenth-grade leaf collection projects on the nature trail that Ira and Beatrice maintained in their large yard, and of viewing the beautiful fluorescent rocks that were an outstanding feature of the mineral collection they had gathered over the years.

Nine decades of service to the Boy Scouts of America, in roles including Scoutmaster, Campmaster, Local and District Commissioner, and over 50 years as a Freemason of the Canawacta Lodge have left his legacy of kindness, integrity and care of others interwoven in the lives of many people in Susquehanna and far beyond.

A Funeral Service was held on Thursday, November 18, 2010, at the Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave. Susquehanna, PA, with Rev. James Rouse officiating.

Burial was held in the Evergreen Cemetery, Susquehanna, PA.

Those who wish to, may make memorial donations to the Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Delahanna District or Campmasters Building Fund, P.O. Box 66, Binghamton, NY 13903.

DEEPA PURKAYASTHA

Deepa Purkayastha died on the 17th of November, 2010 after fighting a long battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her husband Arindam Purkayastha; daughters Tania and Amrita; sons-in-law Biren Parikh and Deb Bhowmick; grandson Nayan Parikh; and many friends and relatives. She received wonderful care from the local medical community and was always appreciative of it.

Deepa Purkayastha epitomized the best in us - independence, warm hospitality that knew no bounds, dignity, grace, and unconditional love and support for so many people around the world. If the term Sanskrit term “sabyasachi” has been applied to ambidextrous people, Deepa was surely sabyasachi multiplied. Who among us has not seen her in her element? The usual four burners and oven going, delicious foods being prepared for us, interspersed with snatches of T.V., just so she could stay abreast of whichever major sport was being featured that day. With all this activity, she continued to pay the fullest attention to everyone, youngest to the oldest.

Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Barnes-Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna, PA.

PAUL JAMES PLUTINO

Paul James Plutino, age 72, passed away on November 2, 2010. He was the loving husband of the late Evelyn Plutino; cherished father of Charles (Linda) Plutino of Rohnert Park, CA, Joe Plutino of Portland, OR, and John Plutino of Novato, CA; grandfather of Micki, Jaime, Gary, Danny, Nicole, and John; great-grandfather of 13; brother of Lillian, Mary, Nancy, and Linda, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Paul proudly served in the US Army from 1957 until 1969. He has lived in Sonoma county since 1959 and was a hod carrier for over 25 years.

As per his wishes there will not be a service. Private Inurnment will be in the Veterans Section at Cypress Hill Memorial Park, Petaluma. Family and friends were invited to his favorite place “The Zoo,” 527 Barham Ave., Santa Rosa on Sunday, November 21.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Aux., Petaluma Unit #28, PO Box 618, Petaluma, CA 94953. Family assisted by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory.

ARTHUR W. DORST

Arthur W. Dorst, 69, of Starrucca Creek Road Susquehanna, PA, passed away Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA after an illness.

Arthur was born in New Jersey the son of the late Arthur J. & Emilie (Madsen) Dorst.

He was retired from BOCES in Binghamton, NY where he worked as a computer programmer. He was a lifetime member of the Canawacta Rod and Gun Club of Susquehanna and the National Rifle Association.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 5 at 2 p.m. at the Canawacta Rod and Gun Club Bingo Hall on State Street, Oakland, PA.

ARLENE SHELDON

Arlene Sheldon, 86, of Thompson Township, PA, went home to be with the Lord on November 20, 2010. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Gerald Sheldon.

Also surviving are their two children, Elaine and Ralph Biesecker, Gibson, PA, and Lloyd B. and Beverly Sheldon, Thompson Township, PA; five grandchildren, Jeremy Biesecker, Carolyn and Maurice Jennings, Lisa and Phillip Carey, Adam and Ashley Sheldon, and Andrea Sheldon; four great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Arlene was a member of the Brushville Baptist Church and was famous for her chocolate chip cookies. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at the South New Milford Baptist Church, 2967 Harford Road, New Milford, PA 18834. Interment will be made in the North Jackson Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 Tuesday at the South New Milford Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home.

Should friends so desire, expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, may take the form of a donation to the Brushville Baptist Church, 4572 Brushville Road, Susquehanna, PA 18847.

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