Obituaries

Debra Slocum, age 59 of Scranton, passed away after an illness Friday afternoon at Geisinger Community Center, Scranton, where she was surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Scranton on November 1, 1956, daughter of the late Donald, Sr., and Deborah Hutchins Guard, Debra earned her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Studies from Keystone College. She was a member of the Holy Spirit Pentecostal Church in Dunmore, was an avid yardsaler, and found her greatest happiness while spending time with her grandchildren. She will be forever missed.
She is survived by her three daughters, Shannon McNear and husband Charles of Scranton, Michelle Tallada and husband Rodney of Wind Gap and Kathleen Lavelle and husband Keith Morris of Carbondale; three siblings, Bobby Guard and wife Melissa and Trudy Guard, all of Milford, and Helen Tucker and husband William of Scranton; 10 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and her longtime companion, William Strickland.
Brothers, Daniel and Donald Guard, Jr., also preceded her in death.
Family and friends are welcome to celebrate Debra’s life by attending her Memorial Service scheduled for Saturday, September 24th, at 2:00PM at Hanlon’s Grove at Nay Aug Park in Scranton. In a selfless final act of kindness, Debra donated her organs to help benefit others.
Arrangements are under the care of the Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton.