Robert Wren

  • Robert Wren

Robert Wren

Robert Wren, 79, of Dallas, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022, at home surrounded by his family.


Born in Wilkes-Barre on January 6, 1943, He was the son of the late Harold and Agnes Mason Wren.


Robert worked at Geisinger Hospital for 20 years, managed Fisca Oil for 19 years, and retired from Marion Terrace. To keep busy after retirement, he bartended at Stan's Cafe.


Robert coached at the Heights Little League for over 20 years; Heights Teeners Baseball for many years; and Heights Packers Mini Football. He was a member of the G.A.R. Footballl Booster Club and worked with the football team for many years and coached girls softball.


Robert loved being with his family, especially his grandchildren, watching and coaching them in sports.


In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Kevin in 1972, and brother, David.


He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Dianne (Poepperling) Wren; five children, Robert and his wife, Donna of Dallas, Keith of Plains, Yvette of Wyoming, Scott of Wilkes-Barre, and Lance and his wife, Jessica of Dallas; 12 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; brothers, Harold and his wife, Ann of Wisconsin, Ronald and his wife, Donna of South Dakota; sisters, Annette of Arizona, Beth Ann of North Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews.


Funeral services will be held Thursday at 6:00pm at Cross Creek Community Church, 370 Carverton Road, Trucksville, PA 18708. Family and friends may call Thursday from 4:00pm until time of services.


Donna Petroski, nee Remphrey, (69) peacefully passed into eternal life on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at her home surrounded by loved ones following short battle with cancer.


 Born in Wilkes-Barre to Walter Remphrey and Elanor Garrison Remphrey. Donna graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in elementary education and went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Education from Wilkes University. She taught elementary school in the Wyoming Valley West district for 37 years during which she touched thousands of young lives. She took great pride in her work and was fondly remembered and recognized by countless former students.


She met her husband William, at age 13 while roller skating and embarked on a love affair that lasted 56 years ending only upon his death this past May. Together they raised three children, daughter Amy Solt and sons William and Michael Petroski. Donna was incredibly devoted to her family and always put their needs before her own. Everyone knew they could count on her for anything no matter the time of day or night. Donna was quite talented and enjoyed decorating and making crafts. She shared her passion for music with her son Michael and loved going with her daughter Amy to play bingo. Donna traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean while on cruises with her family. Her other interests included hosting family holidays, barbeques and get togethers as well as regular luncheons with her former co-workers and friend Geri.


Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her mother, Elanor, her sister, Sandra Heuer and an infant sister. She is survived by her 3 children, her father, Walter, her sister Joanne, her granddaughter, Kayla and several in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. Donna will be laid to rest following a Mass of Christian burial to be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at 10:15 a.m. in St. Ignatius Church, Kingston. Arrangement are being handled by Jendrzejewski Funeral Home and there will be no calling hours.

Carolanne Jones

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • July 9, 2025
Carolanne Jones of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Allied Services-Meade Street Nursing, Wilkes-Barre. Born June 10, 1941, in Larksville, she was the daughter of the late William and Helen Shebli Wallace. Carolanne was a 1959 graduate of Larksville High School. She worked throughout the valley at various stores including, Vic Mars Restaurant, Marshalls, Hills Department Store, and Wegman's Supermarket. Carolanne was a member of St. Nicholas Parish, Wilkes-Barre. She enjoyed listening to opera music, making ceramics, and gardening. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth in 2022 and son, Kenneth in 1963. Surviving is her son, William Jones of Wilkes-Barre; daughter, Carolanne Leco and her husband, Daniel of WIlkes-Barre; and brother, William Wallace and his wife, Helen of Hunlock Creek, PA. Funeral services will be held Friday evening at 7:00pm at the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre. Friends may call Friday evening from 5:00pm until time of services.

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.