Arline A. Motovidlak

Arline A. Motovidlak was granted her angel wings upon peacefully entering eternal life on July 29, 2022. Her final days were spent surrounded by her devoted family after a hard-fought and lengthy illness. Arline was 80 years old. Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Joseph C. and Regina (Smurl) Koch and was educated in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.

She was a member of the Sacred Heart-St. John’s Parish Community Church in Wilkes-Barre. She and her husband, Thomas E. Motovidlak, were married 58 years raising five children together. Her husband affectionately referred to her as ‘Big A’. Together they shared and enjoyed their energetic Jack Russel Terrier, Maggie #2.

Arline was a caring and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved her family unselfishly and supported them, all her life, through their highs and lows. A proud mother of her five children, she advocated the importance of reading and learning and made sure her children were involved in reading clubs, especially during the summer months, at the Osterhout Free Library. She was the matriarch of our family and her smile and laugh will be missed sorely by us all. She created magical memories with her grandchildren by being a kid at heart herself and by spending as much time with them as she could. We hope to be able to carry out her legacy of unconditional love throughout our lives as that is what she would want.

Arline spent most of her working career as an Environmental Service Aide for the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, for which she took great pride. She will be remembered for her cute Holiday pins and fun socks that she wore that made the patients, especially the children, smile. She volunteered in various community projects, including the Wilkes-Barre Crime Watch committee and St. Vincent dePaul Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre. She also enjoyed many years socializing with the Women’s Guild of St. John the Evangelist Church as well as being a member of the Church choir.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her five children: Maria Motovidlak-Thomas, Kimberley Bednarczyk and husband, Paul; Thomas Motovidlak and wife, Donna; David Motovidlak and wife, Kerri; Joseph Motovidlak and fiancé, Nicole Scoble. She is also survived by several grandchildren: Michael and Morgan Thomas; Paul, Jessica and Hunter Bednarczyk; Adam and Paige Motovidlak; Nicole and Allison Motovidlak; Joseph, Madison and Ryah Motovidlak. Arline was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Parker, Sloane and Finley Thomas; Walker Balliet; Scarlett Bednarczyk.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by great-grandchildren, Graham Thomas; John Miller and Piper Bednarczyk.

Arline had nine siblings, with the only living sibling, Linda (Donald) Hearst. Her deceased brothers are: John Patrick Koch, Joseph Michael Koch, Charles Koch, William Koch and James Koch. Her deceased sisters are: Katherine Graham, Jean Cora and Roseann Cox.

Arline would have wanted to recognize the following deceased family members and friend who were supportive of her and loved her dearly: Thomas and Regina Motovidlak, who were her loving mother-in-law and father-in-law; Donna Motovidlak -Sharpe, who was an incredibly loving and supportive sister-in-law; Phyetta Praetorius, teacher and dear friend who instilled confidence along with supportive love.

The family is forever grateful to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dunmore and Compassionate Care Hospice, Taylor for their unwavering compassionate care that kept Arline comfortable with grace and dignity.

A funeral Liturgy service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 10th at the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 N. Meade St., Wilkes-Barre. All are welcome to the interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Family and friends are welcome to celebrate the life of Arline from 5pm-7pm on Tuesday, August 9th at the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Osterhout Free Library or a charity of choice in Arline’s name. Arline will be forever remembered for her wit, determination, humor, and loving soul.

“Love ya’s all”

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Arthur Searfoss

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • August 1, 2025

Arthur Searfoss, of Buck Township, PA, passed away at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, shortly after greeting his newest great grandchild on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Born October 13, 1930, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Andrew and Mamie Glasson Searfoss. Arthur was a 1948 graduate of Laurel Run High School and was an Army Veteran of the Korean War. He was employed at Central Slipper Shoe Company, Wilkes-Barre, for 20 years, and worked as a trans filler at Liquid Carbonic, Laurel Run, for 22 years. Arthur was a member of Laurel Run Primitive Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret in 2011; daughter Margaret Dianne Searfoss brothers, James, William, Richard, and Jerry Searfoss; sisters, Elizabeth Kohlis, Bessie Zendzon, and Mamie Dominick. Surviving is his daughters, Donna Marie Olson of Parsons, PA, Carrie Jo Searfoss of Buchanan, GA, and Robin An McGrady of Rockmart, GA, grandchildren, Heather Sibert of Greenville, NC, Brian Sibert of Connecticut, Michael McGrady of Mountain Top, PA, Lindsey Garrity of Shavertown, PA, Jamie Olson of Port Charlotte, FL, Billy Olson of Wyoming, PA, April Olson of Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Brooke Stepanski of Parsons, PA; 7 Great Grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 6th, at 10:00am at the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Memorial Shrine Cemetery, Carverton. Friends may call Wednesday morning from 9:00am until time of services.

David J. Potorski

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • August 1, 2025

David Joseph Potorski I was born July 29, 1960, in Millstone (Somerset County) New Jersey, to Joseph Francis Potorski and Eleanor Leszczynski (Letinski) Potorski, and was raised as Catholic. On July 30, 2025, David joined his parents and one of his sons in Heaven. David graduated from Steinert High School in N.J. in1978. He was employed by Florence N.J. Road Department, then as a contractor, lastly to his parents as a caregiver. A key Scripture verse that represents David’s life is from 1 Samuel 16:7. “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Also in 1 Samuel 13:14, the name David is referred to as, “A man after God’s own heart.” David is remained by his brother Joel John Potorski and wife Diane. And his sister Carol-Ann Marie Potorski, his two sons, David Joseph Potorski II who passed in 2010, and Joseph Daniel Potorski, his granddaughters, Ariana and Zofia Potorski, his nieces and spouses, Rebecca and husband Justin Wright, Noelle Potorski, Melanie M. and husband A.J. Pillette. As David met his Maker, he experienced 2 Peter 3:8: “With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” As David entered his Eternal Home, the Lord greeted him with “Welcome my Beloved!” Private funeral services were held by the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre. A Celebration of David's life will be held by family on the West Coast.

Amanda Lynn Longfoot

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • July 18, 2025

Sunrise July 18, 1990 – Sunset July 16, 2025 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Amanda Lynn Longfoot, who left this world unexpectedly at home on July 16, 2025, just two days before her 35th birthday. Born on July 18, 1990, Amanda was a graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School. She was strong, wild, and carried a fierce will to change—for herself and for those around her. Amanda was never afraid to fight for a better life, even in the face of adversity. Her fire was undeniable, her spirit unbreakable. Amanda was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Marcia Zamber, whose love and memory remained close to her heart always and her grandmother, Debra Longfoot. She is survived by her loving father, Keith Longfoot and his wife Lori Longfoot. She also leaves behind her brother Scott Zamber, her grandparents, Jean and Rick Neely, and Paul Longfoot along with his partner, Melissa Wishneski; step brothers, Kyle and Christopher Rushton. Amanda’s love extended to many—a wide circle of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who became family. Each one carries a piece of her fierce love, her bold energy, and her deep desire for better relationships. Amanda’s legacy is one of strength, struggle, and resilience. She lived life on her terms, and her story is one of both pain and purpose. Her journey touched more lives than she probably ever realized. A celebration of Amanda’s life will be held Sunday July 20th, 2025 from 3-5pm at the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre. In lieu of flowers, the family is kindly accepting donations to help with funeral and memorial expenses which can be provided directly to the funeral home. Until then, may we honor her memory by loving harder, forgiving more freely, and never giving up on ourselves or each other. Rest easy, Amanda. You were deeply loved. You mattered. And you will never be forgotten.