Obituaries

Paul VanLuvender, age 88 and a lifelong resident of Moosic, passed away Wednesday under the care of the VNA Hospice Inpatient Unit at Geisinger C.M.C. in Scranton. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Olga Pavluchuk VanLuvender, on July 30, 2014.
Born on February 11, 1928, son of the late Merlin and Marion Edwards VanLuvender, Paul was educated at the former Moosic High School. A Navy Veteran, he proudly served in the South Pacific on the USS Melvin (DD-680) during WWII. He earned the American Theater and WWII Victory Medals for his honorable service.
He began his career as an automotive painter with General Motors before working for Scranton Buick. Next, he painted for Superior Door and Sash before retiring from the Tobyhanna Army Depot. A former member of Elm Park United Methodist Church in Scranton, he was also a member of the V.F.W. He enjoyed spending his summers on Lake Moc-A-Tek, and riding his boat on Lake Wallenpaupack. Paul was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and will be forever missed.
He is survived by his children: daughter, Debbie VanLuvender Swingle, Moosic; and son, Bruce VanLuvender and wife, Nicole, Old Forge; six grandchildren, Paul III and Tracy VanLuvender; Dan Butler and companion Angela Chouinard Aiden, Avery and Olivia VanLuvender; a great-granddaughter, Madyson Kelley; a daughter-in-law, Faith VanLuvender; and his little buddy, Molly.
His son, Paul VanLuvender Jr.; granddaughter Colleen Butler; and siblings, Bill and Jane VanLuvender, preceded him in death. His family would like to thank the staffs of both VNA Hospice, for their care and compassion, and the Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center for their ongoing support and care throughout the years.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday at 10:00AM in the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 N. Main St., Old Forge. Interment, with full military honors by the AMVETS Honor Guard, will follow at the Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Friday between 5-8:00PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Paul’s name to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, S. Abington Twp., Pa., 18411.