Obituaries

Ann L. McHale, age 86, a longtime resident of Olyphant before moving to Scranton, died Monday evening at Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit in Dunmore, after an illness. She was preceded in death by her adoring husband of 36 years, George Albert McHale, on October 22, 2011.
Born in Olyphant on June 30, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Mary Rikitash Ponzelli. Ann was a graduate of the former Olyphant High School, Class of 1946, and she worked for Scranton Wiping Cloth for 36 years, prior to retirement. Of Roman Catholic faith, she was a member of Mary, Mother of God Parish in North Scranton. She served as Olyphant Borough Judge of Elections for many years and was a member of the Mid Valley Hospital Auxiliary. Famous for her fruitcake, among other things, she loved baking. A cat lover, she adored her Fifi. She enjoyed dancing; listening to polka music; watching the Wheel of Fortune; playing bingo at Telespond; and taking memorable Atlantic City shore trips with her husband and family. Passing away peacefully, surrounded by her family, she is now reuinted with her beloved George. She will be forever missed by those who love her.
She is also survived by her loving daughters, Colleen McHale-Prislupsky and husband David of Throop, and Jo Ann (Muro) Sleboda and husband Martin of Dickson City; step-daughter, Kathleen Petkovyak and husband John of Fort Worth, Texas; step-sons, George T. McHale and fiance Lisa Fisher, and Christopher McHale and wife Christine, all of Scranton; a sister, Mary Ponzelli of Scranton; sisters-in-law, Beverly Sylvester of Pittston, and Carol Gilpin and husband Leonard of Newfoundland; a brother-in-law, John Hal McHale and wife Janet of Dunmore; nine grandchildren, Adam, Sarah, Georgia, Macie, Kristin, Lindsey, Sarah, Lucy and Liam; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Brothers, Nicholas, Al, John and Andy Ponzelli also preceded her in death.
Her family wishes to acknowledge: George and Lisa McHale, with whom Ann resided, whose incredible care made it possible for her to remain living at home; caretakers, Maryellen, Gail, Pat and Joan; her beautician, Janet Meleski; the entire staff of Telespond Services, where Ann visited twice a week; and the staffs of both Geisinger C.M.C. and Hospice of the Sared Heart, for the collective love toward Ann and her family. It will never be forgotten.
Funeral services are scheduled for Friday to begin at 10:15AM from the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton, with an 11:00AM Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Rosary Church at Mary, Mother of God Parish, 316 William Street in Scranton. Interment will follow at Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Thursday between 5-8:00PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, in gratitude to their amazing staffs memorial contributions may be made in Ann’s name to either Telespond Services, 120 Saginaw Street, Scranton, 18505, or to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes Barre, 18702.