Raymond E. Hackel, 83, of Great Bend Township, was reunited with his beloved wife, Esther of 61 years on November 6, 2016.  He was predeceased by her in 2015.

Ray is survived by two children, John and Dee Hackel and Connie and Steve Winnie; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his companion dog, Ginger.

Ray owned and operated Hackel’s Garage for 50 years.  He was a devoted hunter and New York Yankees fan.  Ray began gingerly caring for Esther’s flowers.

At his request, there will be no public services.  Should friends so desire, expressions of sympathy can take the form of a donation to the United Methodist Church, Food Pantry, P.O. Box 586, Great Bend, PA 18821.  

Stephen W. Saulo, 80, of Thompson, PA , died Friday, October 28, 2016 after an illness. He was being cared for at home by his devoted and loving wife of 33 years, Jeanette, but had to be taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital just before his death.  He died very peacefully, in the arms of his wife.

Born in Richmond, Staten Island, NY on May 19, 1936, he was the son of Steve and Helen (Kosciow) Saulo.  The family moved to Thompson in the early 1950's.

He is predeceased by his parents, Steve and Helen Saulo; aunts and uncles, Mike and Kay Saulo, Pete and Ann Saulo, Rudolph and Mary Jackson, Anna Kosciow; his in-laws, Stanislaw and Wladyslawa Kopcinski; his brothers-in-law, Stanley Kopcinski Jr., Harry Slocum and Donald Bender; and his nephew, Stephen Slocum.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanette (Kopcinski) Saulo;  sister Sally Slocum; uncle William Kosciow; sister-in-law Laura Bender; nieces and nephews, Debbie (Rob) Cole, Pam (Bob) Shinsky, Linda (Joey) D'Agostino, Cheryl Slocum, Craig Bender, Christopher (Sarah) Bender and son, Daxon; many loving cousins, great nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Thompson High School in 1954, enlisted in the Navy, and after he was honorably discharged, began working for Sears.  He was a devoted and highly respected 33 year Division Manager for Sears in Binghamton and in Johnson City, NY.  He attended Broome Community College.

A very private man, he never ventured far from home where he loved using his John Deere tractor on projects around their property.  You would find him puttering in his vegetable and berry gardens or working on big and small projects in his work shop.  He and Jeanette completely renovated their 100+ year old home before their marriage.

He was an avid sportsman. Voted Most Valuable Player for the Thompson baseball and basketball teams, he also enjoyed taking out his beagles and hunting for small game. Deer hunting was something he enjoyed.  Playing golf, attending baseball and basketball games or avidly watching the Yankees and Giants or any other sports event on TV made him truly content.

Stephen was modest, never seeking or liking to be the center of attention, deeply sensitive, and had a strong sense of self and was a non conformist.  He was very self-sufficient and challenged to take on any job that seemed impossible.  Clever, creative and always hardworking, he made each day have meaning.

Those who knew him considered him a dear friend.  He was loved and respected for his kindness, caring, humor, easy-going and fun side, and his devotion and respect toward his friends and others.

His nieces and nephews remember with love the times he took them on rides in the truck for ice cream or to the local lakes to swim and fish, play sports, watch his baseball games, joke around or ride on the snowmobile with him. They loved his gentle spirit and appreciated his support of them. He felt great pride as he watched them in sporting events. Their Uncle Butch was special.

Stephen and Jeanette were always together. They did some traveling but never far from home, where he was his happiest.  They worked side by side and were deeply committed to each other.  Their love was unwavering. His entire family truly loved him.  He was "One of a Kind."

As per his wishes, there will be no calling hours or service.  He wished to be remembered

for the smile on his face and wanted no one to shed tears for him.  He was cremated.  He had a deep faith in and love of the Lord and now he is Home with Him. 

The family wishes to thank Drs. Neal Davis and Kristin Liptock for their compassionate and professional care; the caregivers at Traditional Home Health; the Thompson Hose Ambulance for their speed and efficient transport to the hospital; to Father Ed Erb for his soothing words and Anointing; and to Dick and Sean at Hennessey Funeral Home for their very kind attention to Stephen's wishes.

If you so desire, you may make a donation in his memory to a charity of your choice.

Joan Marie Hurley, nee Langan, 85, of Susquehanna, PA, passed away Friday, November 4, 2016, at Barnes-Kasson Hospital after an illness.

Joan was reunited with her beloved husband James, her “Jimmy,” who predeceased her in 1979, on what would have been his 89th birthday, and her twin sons, James and John Hurley, born prematurely and deceased in April, 1955.

Born in Lanesboro, PA, Joan was the daughter of the late Martin Joseph and Mary Josephine (DiLello) Langan.  She was a member of St. John Church in Susquehanna.

Joan is survived by her four children, Peggy (Kevin) Guyette of Vestal, NY, Kitsy (Bob) Rice of Oviedo, FL, Joan Hurley and her wife Julie Day of Baltimore, MD, Jim (Deanne) Hurley of Cleveland Heights, OH; her beloved grandchildren, Kathryn and Kevin Guyette, Caitlin, Colin, and Shannon Rice, and Jake, Connor, and Peter Hurley; a sister-in-law, Eileen (Jerome) Hurley,  several nieces and nephews.

Joan was a loving mother and grandmother and a devoted wife to her late husband.  A devout Catholic and a dedicated nurse, she was most proud of providing for her children’s education.  She was grateful every day for her family, her friends, her health, and the knowledge and relationships she gained as a nurse at Barnes-Kasson. Joan was a former member of the St. John Altar & Rosary Society, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Nellie Jane DeWitt Association of Business & Professional Women, and the Susquehanna County Federated Democratic Women’s Club.

Joan was a graduate of Laurel Hill Academy, 1949, and the Mercy Hospital Scranton School of Nursing, 1952. After a lifelong career of nursing, Joan retired as head of the nursing staff in 2003 after thirty-six years of service to Barnes-Kasson.

Her family wishes to thank her kind and loving caretakers of the past year, Tracy Grennell and Millie Herbert, who loved and cared for Joan as family; the excellent and compassionate staff of Barnes-Kasson Hospital, especially Dr. P. Patel, Dr. B. Patel, and the entire nursing staff;  and her many dear friends, especially Sara Armetta and Marge Wood.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. John’s Church in Susquehanna, PA, on Tuesday, November 8.

Arrangements by the Hennessey Funeral Home, 747Jackson Ave., Susquehanna, PA, from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Barnes-Kasson Hospital at 2872 Turnpike St., Susquehanna, PA 18847.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.hennesseysfuneralhome.com.

Elizabeth M. Sisler, 88, of Great Bend, Pa. formerly of Susquehanna passed away Thursday, November 3, 2016 at home after an illness.

She was predeceased by her husband, Staley “Rebel” Sisler and son, Denver Sisler.

Elizabeth is survived by four daughters, Bonnie and Mike McDowell, FL, Helen Sisler, Binghamton, NY, Jaunita and James Donahue, Susquehanna, PA, Barbara Bray, NC; son James and Cindy Sisler, Susquehanna, PA; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth was a foster mother for over 15 years. She stayed busy raising kids and loved having them in her home. She also spent several years working at Arrow Spinning Mfg. in Susquehanna. She will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 12th, at 11am at the Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave., Susquehanna, PA with Pastor Gary Day officiating.

Esther (Snyder) Gall, 84, of Susquehanna, passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at Barnes Kasson Skilled Nursing Facility, Susquehanna, PA.

She was predeceased by and now joins her husband George A. Gall, Jr., who passed away in 2006.  She is also predeceased by her mother and step-father, Ruth and Merle Cuyle; a brother, James Cuyle, Sr.; brother-in-law, Ken Gall, Sr. and sister-in-law, Lois Murch.

Esther is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Roger) Hall; grandson, Neil (Robin) Hall; two adored great-grandchildren, Eric and Emily Hall, all of Susquehanna, PA; her siblings, Sylvia (Donald) Dickinson, Mary (John) Dietershagen, William (Judy) Cuyle and Bob Cuyle; sisters-in-law, Shirley and Rosie Gall, life-long friend Sandy Washburn; many nieces and nephews.

Esther was employed at Magnetic Labs and Barnes Kasson Hospital. Upon her retirement, she ran the Barnes Kasson gift shop for many years.  She was a member of the Susquehanna Methodist Church, Susquehanna, PA.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, November 5 at the Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave., Susquehanna, PA with Pastor Vincent Chiaramonte officiating.

Burial was held at the Lanesboro Cemetery, Lanesboro, PA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Barnes Kasson Hospital, 2872 Turnpike St., Susquehanna, PA  18847.

Arrangements by Hennessey Funeral Home Inc., 747 Jackson Ave., Susquehanna, PA 18847.