Geraldine T. Andrzejewski

  • Geraldine T. Andrzejewski

Geraldine T. Andrzejewski

Geraldine T. Andrzejewski, 83, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Friday, August 12, 2022, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Wilkes-Barre. Born November 20, 1938, in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Giacomo and Nancy Oliveri Aleo. Gerry attended Wilkes-Barre Area schools and was employed at Penn State Belt & Buckle until retiring.


She loved reading books, doing jigsaw puzzles, and going to play bingo. When it came to Polka Dancing, Gerry and her husband, Joe, were the best. Nobody made a pan of Lasagna like she did.


She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph "Sunny" Andrzejewski on February 7, 2011, and her sister, Joan Roberts.

Mom will be sadly missed by her 3 daughters, Debbie Silvia and her husband, Gary of Jenkins Township, Colette Carey and her husband, Dan of Wilkes-Barre, and Lori Michaels and her husband, Marty III of Wyoming; 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; brother, Vincent Aleo and his wife, Barbara of Wilkes-Barre; sisters, Natalie Aleo of Wilkes-Barre, and Lucille Palko of Warren, MI; and cousin, but more like a sister, Antoinette Galle of Wilkes-Barre.


Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 9:00am from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30am at Our Lady of Hope parish, 40 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre. The Reverend John S. Terry, Pastor, will be Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call Monday evening from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the funeral home.

Frances P. Stosek, a lifelong resident of the Buttonwood section of Hanover Township, entered into eternal rest and her heavenly reward on Friday, August 12, 2022, at The Gardens at East Mountain, Plains Township.


Born May 16, 1944, in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Helen Buydos Stosek.

A graduate of Hanover Township Memorial High School, Class of 1962, Fran continued her education at Wilkes-Barre Business College which led her to a long career in the business world.

Furthering her education at Luzerne County Community College, she entered the healthcare field as a Medical Transcriptionist Specialist. This led hr to a position at Surgical Specialists of Wyoming Valley. Although she was passionate about pursuing her career, she curtailed her own ambitions to honor her family obligation and became her mother's primary caregiver. That's who she was.

As per Fran's request there will be no viewing. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Richard J. Cirba, Pastor, at 11:00am on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at St. Aloysius Church, 143 Division Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA. Private interment will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Glen Lyon.

The family extends their appreciation to the staff of The Gardens at East Mountain and the staff of Residential Hospice Care for their compassionate care and support.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre.


Irene T. Rajza, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

Born November 30, 1931, in Luzrene, she was the daughter of the late Pietro and Florence Morelli Traini.

Irene was a 1949 graduate of G.A.R. High School, Wilkes-Barre. 

She was employed in the area garment industry and various other jobs due to her love of working.

Irene owned and operated Bud's Place in Wilkes-Barre for 18 years and also the Villa Grove Cafe, Wilkes-Barre.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard on June 13, 1980; and son, Stanley in 2019.


Surviving is her daughter, Sandra Tirpak and her husband, Joseph Jr. of Wilkes-Barre; grandchildren, Christopher and Ryan Tirpak, and Derek, Devin, and Samantha Rajza; and great grandchildren, Myles, Lucas, and Mia Tirpak, and Xavier Barber.

Private funeral services and interment in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township, will be held by the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre.

Michael J. Castrignano

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • June 8, 2025
Michael J. Castrignano, 90, of Berlin, MD, was called home to the Lord on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at home under the care of Coastal Hospice at the Lake. Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Dominick Castrignano and Marie (Lauzano) Castrignano. He graduated from St. Mary's High School, Wilkes-Barre. Michael's working history was diversified in multiple phases of the garment industry. His introduction was in garment manufacturing. He later managed the corporation, Basic Sportswear, controlling ordering, shipping, and distribution to national department stores. He was also owner and operator of retail sales outlets. He was an avid music lover and enjoyed his younger years playing saxophone with his band, "Casty and his Rythmaires". He spent the remainder of his retirement in Ocean City, MD. Michael was a member of Holy Savior Church in Ocean City, MD. He loved spending time with family and friends along with time at the beach. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann (Purcell) Castrignano, who passed away in 1981. Michael was blessed and was remarried to Rita (Koval) Castrignano for 32 years, preceding him in death in 2019, and also preceded by a stepson, Thomas Koval; a brother, Frank Castrignano; and stepgrandson, CJ Evans. Surviving is his two sons, Michael Castrignano Jr. of Ocean City, MD, and Dominic Castrignano and his wife, Gloria of New Port Richey, FL; He was a loving stepfather to Stepdaughter, Julieanne Evans and her husband, Chris of Plains Township. He was a loving grandfather of Michael Castrignano, Giovanna Castrignano, and Dominic Castrignano and four great grandchildren; Step grandchildren, Angela Petix, and Thomas and Tyler Koval; and brother, Dr. Dominic E. Castrignano. Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:30am from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Nicholas St. Mary's Parish Church, 226 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre. The Reverend Joseph Verespy, Pastor, will be Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Family and friends may call Thursday evening from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the funeral home.

Ronald J. Royek

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • June 4, 2025
Ronald Royek of Wilkes-Barre Township, passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. Born November 24, 1938, Ron "The Barber" was the son of the late John and Mary Bartlomowicz Royek. He was the devoted husband of Patricia Conwell Royek. The couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this October. Ron graduated from Wilkes-Barre Township High School in 1956 and the barber school in Wilkes-Barre in 1966. From December 1961 to November 1967, he served in the United States Army and United States Army Reserves. He owned and operated his barber shop on Scott Street in the East End Section of Wilkes-Barre for 45 years. Ron was a life-long member of St. Mary's Church of the Maternity, now Our Lady of Hope Parish, and was active for many years as a Eucharistic Minister. He participated in various church functions such as the Liturgical Committee, the Holy Name Society, and Chairman of the Bazaar. In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his son, Christian, and his brother-in-law, Ronald Rydzfski. He is survived by his wife, Pat; sisters, Eloise Rydzfski and Sharon Flynn; brothers-in-law, Robert Flynn and Robert Conwell; nephews, Ronald Rydzfski, Rodney Rydzfski, and Sean Flynn; and special family friend, Seri Mountz. The funeral will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11:00am from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30am at Our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre. The Reverend John S. Terry, Pastor, will be Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Maternity Cemetery, West Wyoming. Friends may call Friday from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the funeral home. Ron's family would like to thank the entire staff at the PCU and ICU units of Geisinger Wyoming Valley for the outstanding care he received.

Florence C. Williams

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • May 20, 2025
Florence C. Williams, formerly of Seminary Road, Hanover Township, and Highland Manor, Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, May 16, 2025. Born in Wilkes-Barre to the late John and Bertha Deptula Waltos, Florence was raised in the Mayflower section and graduated from Marymount High School in 1946. She went on to work as Legal Administrative Assistant to Judge Paul Sielecki, Judge Edward Lopato, and Judge Patrick Toole, with whom she worked for over 30 years until her retirement in 2001. After her retirement, she became an active volunteer at many organizations such as the Mercy Hospital Gift Shop, The Fine Arts Fiesta, The Wyoming Valley Duck Derby, and she was an usher at the Kirby Center. She received many honors, and pins, for her commitment in her years of service. Florence loved to keep active and exercise. For many years she enjoyed the pool at the YMCA, and water aerobics at John Heinz. She and her husband, Lenny, were also avid Polka Dancers and made cherished memories at local Polka events with friends, and the Annual Polka Weekend in Wildwood, NJ. They also loved to travel and went on many exciting trips through Europe, Poland, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, to name a few. Florence made friends wherever she went and maintained those friendships for many years. Known for her warm, loving, generous and kind spirit, she brought joy to all who knew her. Her deep Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. A lifelong member of our Our Lady of Hope (formerly St. Mary’s of the Maternity Church), in Wilkes-Barre. She was a Eucharistic Minister, and brought the Holy Eucharist to the sick in hospitals and nursing homes. She also enjoyed volunteering at the church fundraising dinners, past bazaars, and was part of the pierogi making team, and the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary Society. Holidays were very special to Florence. Spending time together with family meant everything to her. She was the heart of our family, our holidays, and we will treasure all of our special memories of her. She was a wonderful baker and cook, and her special dishes like her potato salad, apple, blueberry and rhubarb pies, family recipe filled cookies, Thanksgiving stuffing, and other treats, were a cherished part of family gatherings. We all loved her so much, and her favorite saying will forever echo in our hearts: ”I love you more.” In addition to her parents, John and Bertha Waltos, Florence was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Leonard Williams (1993); and her brother, John Waltos (2018). Left to cherish Florence’s memory are her sisters, Regina Buczynski, Wilkes-Barre, and Mary Ann Dougherty, Laflin; nephews, Joseph Buczynski and wife, Marlene, Maryland, and Jim Dougherty, Florida; niece, Kathy Dougherty, Florida; and grand-nephew, Christopher Buczynski, Maryland; along with several cousins, and many dear friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Our Lady of Hope Church, 40 Park Ave, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, with Reverend John S. Terry, Pastor, officiating. All are invited to attend. Family and Friends may call prior to the mass from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Entombment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum, Hanover Township.