Josephine Julia “Josie” Tierney Hook, born July 22, 1923 to the late Patrick and Julia Gergle Tierney, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2012 at the Barnes-Kasson Skilled Nursing Facility, Susquehanna, PA. Josie was predeceased by a son Arthur Hook Jr.; her brothers Charlie, Patrick and his wife Ruth, Richard Tierney; and brother-in-law, Carl Martin.

Josie is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Arthur Hook; a sister, Madeline Martin; a brother, Edward and Sally Tierney; sister-in-law, Beverly Tierney; a daughter, Bonita and Howard Buchanan; grandchildren, Wendy and Mark Morgan, Daniel and Danielle Buchanan; great grandchildren, Olivia, Greggory, Hillary, Vanessa, Emmalyn, and Benjamin; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Josie was a lifelong resident of Hallstead, PA and attended St. Lawrence Catholic Church and was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved her family first and foremost, and then cooking, chocolate and genny cream ale - and the last three not necessarily in that order. Josie touched our lives in a very special, unique way and will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to extend a very grateful thank you to all the staff at S.N.F. and those residents who befriended her.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated Thursday, January 5, 2012 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Interment was made in St. Lawrence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to do so may make a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, 401 Hayes, Endicott, NY 13760.

Stephen Durko, Sr., of Union Dale, died Monday, January 2, 2012 on his farm surrounded by his loving wife and family. His wife of 58 years is the former Beverly Shager.

Born in Eynon, son of the late John and Anna Priblo Durko, he was a member of the Union Dale Presbyterian Church. After attending Olyphant High School, he worked several years in the farming industry, and he achieved the goal of his life, becoming a dairy farmer. He was the last surviving Charter Member of the Union Dale Volunteer Fire Department and was a former Mayor of Union Dale Borough. He was also a poll watcher on Election Day for Union Dale Borough.

He was known for his cowboy hats and for his love of John Deere. He could carry on a conversation for hours about nothing at all, and he would always make time to stop and help if you stopped by his home, no matter when. He was always there for his family and did whatever he could for them, including teaching them to “play the game of life.”

The family would like to thank the staff of NEPA Regional Hospice and all of his doctors for their wonderful care.

Also surviving are 3 sons: Stephen, Jr. and wife Joann, Pace, FL, Greg and wife Cheri, Greenfield Twp., Kevin and wife Sherrie, Union Dale; a daughter: Ann Marie Durko DeArmond and husband Dave, Union Dale; 8 grandchildren: Seth Durko and companion Tiffany Trosper, Holland Durko, Angela Kikier and husband Justin, Denise Ellis and companion John O’Malley, Valerie Goddard, Kyle Durko and companion Clare Kerl, Jessica DeArmond, and Angelica Durko; a brother: Dave Durko, Herrick Center; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Durko; and a sister, Sonia Canevari.

The funeral service was held Thursday, January 5 in the Union Dale Presbyterian Church, celebrated by Donald Perry. Interment, Union Dale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Union Dale Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 15, Union Dale, PA 18470; the Union Dale Fire Department, P.O. Box 191, Union Dale, PA 18470; or to the donor’s favorite charity.

Arrangements by the Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main Street, Forest City. Online condolences may be sent at www.brennanfuneralhomes.com.

Anna Kravetsky, 98, of Union Dale, died Thursday, January 5, 2012 at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale. She was the widow of Joseph Kravetsky, who died July 29, 1982. The couple was married on July 13, 1940.

Born in Simpson, daughter of the late Alex and Eva Ropitsky Buberniak, she was a member of St. Basil the Great Orthodox Church, Simpson. She attended the Bendick School, Union Dale. She moved to New York City at age 16 and was employed as a nanny and housekeeper, and after returning home, she went on to work on the family farm. She was a loving mother, grand mother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother, and she greatly enjoyed being with her family. She loved baking, playing cards, and shopping, and she was always ready to go to town when she got the chance. She enjoyed dancing and watching Saturday night Polka on WVIA and the Lawrence Welk Show.

Surviving are one son: Thomas Kravetsky and wife Elaine, Orson; 6 grandchildren: Ed and Victoria Kravetsky, Orson, Laurie and Mark Youngblood, Tacoma, WA, Lynn and Shane Bass, Orson, Kim Kravetsky, Wilton Manor, FL, Ann and Jim Thorn, Thompson, and Joe Kravetsky, Thompson; 10 great grandchildren: Ariel, Brianne, Mikayla, and Tommy Kravetsky, Matthew, Ryan and Caitlyn Smith, Evan Bass, and Misty and Skylar Thorn; and one great great grandchild: Owen Drake; a brother: John Buberniak, Union Dale; 2 sisters: Marion Swetter, Clifford Twp. and Olga Buberniak, Union Dale; a sister-in-law: Sonya Buberniak, Union Dale; and a brother-in-law: Nick Kravetsky and wife Dorothy, Vermont; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by a son: Stephen Kravetsky; and 2 brothers: Paul and Dennis Buberniak.

The funeral was held Monday, January 9 in St. Basil the Great Orthodox Church, 9 Lord Avenue, Simpson, with Funeral Liturgy by the Very Rev. John Kowalczyk. Interment, Pleasant View Cemetery, Pleasant Mount.

Online condolences may be sent at www.brennanfuneralhomes.com.