Obituaries

James D. Clendening, 72, of Old Forge and formerly of Blakeslee, died Monday at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre. His wife is the former Debbie Hawley. The couple would have celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary on April 17.
Born April 27, 1950, in Upper Darby, son of the late Robert and Harriet Pittenger Clendening, Jim was a graduate of Upper Darby High School, where he excelled at wrestling. Jim served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Prior to his accident, he was the co-owner of Woody’s Country House, Blakeslee. A man of great faith, Jim was a member of Cornerstone Alliance Church, Dickson City.
Jim had a life full of enjoyment. If you caught any of their social media posts, you’d agree that he’s lived his best life. His favorite place to be was with his wife, soaking up the sun on the deck of Joan and Charlie’s place. There was nowhere better to him than sitting near the Delaware Bay at Gandy’s Beach with his family and friends. When you became friends with Jim, it was for life, and he had many good friends from childhood whom he kept in contact with throughout the years. Jim enjoyed sports, playing softball into his adult years, and he cheered on his Eagles and Phillies. He had a love for Harley-Davidson and classic cars, but most of all, he loved his family. There was nothing better to him than a Sunday dinner sitting with his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his granddogs, and even his bonus kids and bonus grandkids. Jim will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the wonderful care Jim was given during his illness by the health care staff at Geisinger Wyoming Valley ICU, and also to the staff at Allied Services Rehab Hospital. Your care and compassion toward Jim and his family will never be forgotten.
Surviving are his loving daughters, Jennifer Serena and husband, William Howells, Gouldsboro; and Jessica Little, Old Forge; his pride and joy, his grandchildren, Jacob and Hannah Serena and Payton Little; his siblings, Robert Clendening, Wakefield, Mass.; Joan Coyle, Glen Mills; and Grace Gow and John Clendening, both of Drexel Hill; and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held Saturday at noon in the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home Inc., 517 N. Main St., Old Forge, with the Rev. Nester Soto, pastor of Cornerstone Alliance Church, officiating.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hero Company, 4130 E. La Palma, Anaheim, CA 92807; or Cornerstone Alliance Church, 938 Main St., Dickson City, PA 18519.