Obituaries

Krysten R. Clapps, 54, of Exeter, passed away Friday May 23rd at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Twp., following an illness.  Her husband of 34 years is Richard J. Clapps.

Born April 17, 1971 in Nanticoke, daughter of the late Michael and Patricia Salerno Kolesar, Krysten was educated in the Wyoming Area School District, West Side Career and Technology Center Pringle.  Krysten proudly worked as a waitress in her family’s restaurant, Salerno’s Pizza in Luzerne.

A loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt, Krysten treasured spending time with her family. Her hobbies included reading, gardening and arts and crafts, and also spending time with her dogs “Zero” and “Bella who will miss her very much. Taken too soon, Krysten will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Krysten was a selfless mother and even while dealing with her own sickness, it did not stop her from taking care of her family. Until the end she was a unique and true-to-herself woman and nothing would ever change that. Her spirit and big heart will live on in all the people she has met and cared for.

Her family would like to offer a special heartfelt thank you to all the doctors, nurses, and staff at Geisinger Wyoming Valley for all of your kindness and care shown to Krysten and her family and also to the First Responders who serve the Exeter Borough. They were “angels” in human form and their compassion will never be forgotten.

Surviving in addition to her husband, Richard, are her children, Felicia Clapps, Exeter, and Richard Clapps, Jr., Exeter; sisters, Sherry Yanalis and Samantha Conway; brothers, Walter “Buddy” and Erik Kolesar; and several nieces and nephews.

A special goodbye is given by Khloe Romanowski, Krystens great-niece who loved to see her on every walk she would take with her mother or grandmother. It always brought joy to both seeing Krysten waiting on the front porch for her.

A daughter, Courtney Krysten Clapps, preceded her in death in 1996 and also a brother, Joe Kolesar who preceded her in death in 2017.

A Celebration of Krysten’s Life will be held on Wednesday June 11th at 1PM in the Bethania Presbyterian Church, 1035 South Main Ave, Scranton PA 18504.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects from 1PM to 3PM in the church.

Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 N. Main Street, Old Forge has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit the funeral home’s website for directions or to leave a condolence.