Leonard Joseph Snyder

  • Leonard Joseph Snyder

Leonard Joseph Snyder

Leonard Joseph Snyder, DMD, 84, of Mountain Top, formerly Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 1, 2021.


Born in Wilkes-Barre on July 22, 1937, he was the son of the late Alexander and Teresa Murcavage Snyder. He was the husband of Barbara Bradshaw Snyder and the late Marilyn Krackenfels Snyder.


Len was a 1955 graduate of Coughlin High School and a 1959 graduate of King's College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He was a 1964 graduate of Temple University School of Dentistry. Following graduation, Dr. Snyder served two years as an Air Force captain and dentist at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Columbus, Ohio. He returned to Wilkes-Barre in 1966 to begin an illustrious 40-year career in general dentistry.


Dr. Snyder was a member of the American Dental Association, Pennsylvania Dental Association and past president of the Luzerne County Dental Association. He served on the executive committee for the King's College Century Club, as head of the dental division of the United Way Campaign of Wyoming Valley and as a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. He was a faithful parishioner of St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre, and the St. Conrad's Y.M. Society. Lifelong friendships were developed in the bowling lanes between "Doc" and his fellow St. Conrad's teammates on Wednesday nights. He also volunteered for Bishop Hoban Parents' Club, the Wilkes-Barre Kiwanis Club and was a member of the Meadow Run/Mountain Lake Parks Association.


Above all, Dr. Snyder was a beloved dad to his six children, his four adult stepchildren and his 26 grandchildren. He was happiest surrounded by those he loved and sharing in their activities. Pop's kitchen never closed and was often the centerpiece of his busy family. With the blended family came "Pop and Barb's Annual Christmas Cookie Party," a new tradition which brought three generations and two families together.


Dr. Snyder loved spending time at the family beach home in Long Beach Island, N.J. There, he and his family created some of their most cherished memories which will always remain with them as a reflection of their love and family unity. Len had a passion for travel. He and Marilyn visited some of the most beautiful destinations and always returned with gifts and exciting stories to share with their children. In addition to roles as father and doctor, Leonard was a gifted artist, a skilled carpenter and loved hunting on Hollyhock Farm with his boys. He will be forever missed.


Len was preceded in death by his son, Leonard J. Snyder Jr.; grandson, Patch Snyder; and two sisters, Teresa Gritzer and Eleanor Konchuba.


Surviving, in addition to his wife, Barbara, are children, attorney Mary Coolican, Moosic; Dr. Christopher and wife, Dr. Jill Snyder, Sugarloaf Twp.; attorney Nancy and husband, Dr. David Shemo, Wyoming; attorney Kathleen and husband, Jonathan Kinne, Media; Darren Snyder, Wilkes-Barre; daughter-in-law, Janine Snyder Oldenhage and husband, David, Spring Lake, N.J.; stepchildren, Michael and wife, Stacey Bradshaw, Duryea; Eileen and husband, Craig Coslett, Mountain Top; Brian and wife, Tracie Bradshaw, Hanover Twp.; and Kevin Bradshaw, Mountain Top; 26 grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Saturday in St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre. Interment will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Bear Creek. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre.


Memorial contributions may be made to the Snyder Family Scholarship Fund at King's College, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, or the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre.

Kathleen D. Yanchunas

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • May 10, 2025
Kathleen D. Yanchunas passed away swinging like a prizefighter in the early hours of Friday morning, May 9, 2025, after a one-two punch of complications following emergency surgery on Monday. Born to Joseph and Helen Dorko of McCarragher Street in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, July 5 1943. Kathy graduated from Marymount HS and Wilkes-Barre Business College. She married Joseph Yanchunas of Luzerne Pa and together they raised a family at their home in Harvey’s Lake. Kathy was beloved by her friends, family and her extended families. She loved cooking and baseball and once had a furry green hug from the Phanatic on Mother’s Day at a Phillies game in Veterans Stadium. She shared her love by kneading, baking and giving bread, and making and sharing desserts like her famous brownies and whoopie pies. She taught us how to cook, clean, make a proper bed, and joke about life. She loved her Grandchildren and spoiled them rotten, as she would say. Kathleen is pre-deceased by her parents and brothers Joseph and Thomas Dorko. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Joseph Yanchunas; siblings Dr. Carl Dorko, William Dorko, and Helene Roccograndi; children, Joseph Yanchunas Jr. and Elisa (Lisa) Huncik; and grandchildren, Tobias and Sarah Yanchunas and Anastasia Huncik. She loved and was loved by her extended family, Bobby and Alex Wilson. Services will be held at Our Lady of Hope Church on Park Avenue in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, May 15, with viewing at 10 am followed by Mass at 11. Lunch with family and friends will follow. We love you, Darling.

Lida Jean Gabriel

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • May 10, 2025
Lida Jean Gabriel, of Hanover Township, passed away Monday, May 5, 2025, at Allied Services Hospice, Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre. Born December 18, 1940, in Kingston, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Jessie Williams Hughes. Lida Jean was a 1958 graduate of Westmoreland Senior High School, Trucksville. She was most recently employed as a front office supervisor at Orthopedic Consultants in Kingston. Lida Jean was a devout Catholic, holding membership at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Wilkes-Barre, and served as Lector, choir member and CCD teacher. She enjoyed ice cream, music, and especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and best friend, Gerald on October 24, 2020; her brother, Kenneth Hughes; granddaughter, Heather Long; and grandson, Zane Gabriel. Surviving are her sons, Brian Goode Sr. and his wife, Barbara of Plains, PA, and Mark Goode and his wife, Rachel of Cape Elizabeth, ME; daughters, Deborah Long of Kingston, PA, Jacqueline Yasenchak and her husband, Michael of Hanover Township, and Jennifer Gabriel of Hanover Township; stepchildren, Brian Gabriel and his wife, Michelle, Unknown, Kelly Gabriel of Swoyersville, PA, and Gerald Gabriel and his wife, Su of Philadelphia, PA; grandchildren, Brian Jr., Jesse, Courtney, Keira, Lucy, Julia, Quinn, Avery and Kali; great granddaughter, Braelyn; brother, Thomas Hughes of Plymouth, PA; sister-in-law Arlene Hughes of NY; and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held at a date to be determined. Services were provided by the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre.

Joseph E. Brazinski

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • April 21, 2025
Joseph Edmund Brazinski, 73, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away April 19, 2025, at Third Avenue Health Care, Kingston. Born March 24, 1952, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Edmund and Josephine Starek Brazinski. Joseph was 1970 graduate of Marymount High School, Wilkes-Barre. Prior to retirement in 2011, he was employed by the Department of Environmental Protection on abandoned mine reclamation projects. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Theresa Cywinski in 2017. Surviving is his daughter, Miranda Brazinski; and nephews, Ryan and Scott Cywinski. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family by the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre.