Obituaries

James

James “Jim” W. Mackes

W.

Jr., 73, of Kunkletown, passed away Sunday, February 19, at home. He was the loving husband of Linda E. (Kern) Mackes. They celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary in May of last year.

Born in Palmerton, he was the son of the late James W. Mackes Sr. and the late Mamie V. (Green) Mackes. Jim was the owner and operator of his custom woodworking business for most of his life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, rafting, and car racing. He was always busy and on the go, and loved going to stock car races. Most of all, he was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed by all his friends and family.

MACKES JR.

In addition to his wife, Linda, he is survived by a son, James W. Mackes III of Tampa, FL; two daughters, Candace McMaster and her husband Ron of Easton, and Jillian Mackes of Palmerton; a sister, Eileen Rinker and her husband Don of VT; three grandchildren, Allyson McMaster, John McMaster, and Nevella Sheckler; and his beloved dogs, Chloe and Lilykins. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Norman Griffith.

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 27, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Kresge Funeral Home, 1763 Route 209, Brodheadsville. Funeral services will follow at 11 with Rev. Robert Simon officiating. Burial of the ashes will follow in Trachsville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VALOR, P.O. Box 315 Brodheadsville, PA 18322 or to Camp Papillion, P.O. Box 332 Stroudsburg, PA 18360. www.kresgefuneralhome. com

Maria Manuela Pica

Maria Manuela Pica, 92, of Tobyhanna, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 16, 2023 in her daughter’s arms. Born in Alhandra, Portugal, she was the daughter of the late Jose Carlos Leal Da Fonseca and Maria Margarida Galamba Fonseca. Maria was the beloved wife of the late Jose M. Pica. Maria enjoyed crocheting, cooking and traveling back to Portugal to visit with family. She loved to socialize with family and friends. Dancing was one of her greatest passions. Above all, Maria was a beloved mother who enjoyed moments with her children. Maria will be lovingly remembered by her son, Antonio J. Pica and his wife Donna; daughters, Sofia Pica and Aldina Pica and her husband Justin Shelton; brother, Antonio Fonseca; grandchildren, Bruno, Stephanie, Katelyn, and Antonio and great-grandchildren, Aubrelle, Romond, Jr. and Derek. A funeral service took place February 22, in the Bolock Funeral Home, Cresco. Interment followed at Pocono Lake Cemetery.

Dorothea Leffler

Dorothea “Dorothy” Mae (Hess) Leffler, born July 26, 1926, at her family home in Philadelphia, returned peacefully to our Lord on February 13, 2023. Dorothea is predeceased by William P. Leffler Sr., her husband. They shared 52 fulfilled years side by side being partners in raising their family and enjoying life together. They are the best example of lives well lived and love given. She was the daughter of Albert and Edith (Marbach) Hess.

Dorothy met the love of her life in Monroe, NC, where their families moved with the textile industry. They kept in touch after moving back to Philadelphia. Dorothy graduated from Mastbaum High School as valedictorian of the class of 1943. Bill served in the Navy during World War II. They married in 1949.

Most often, Dorothy was found with greens at her ankles and on the floor around designing flower arrangements for competitions at her garden clubs, for gatherings or for the Philadelphia Flower Show. Whether gardening, traveling or sharing adventures with her husband, Dorothy was a contented soul, a child of God. She was the happiest being with her family. A woman of love, and integrity, possessing a gracious nature, Dorothy’s legacy ripples outward into eternity. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Cheryl Kerrick and her husband Geoffrey; grandsons, CDR Adam Kerrick USN, and his wife Lacy, MAJ Grant Kerrick, USA, and his wife Jen; great-grandchildren, Savannah, Carly Mae, William, and Leah; son, William P. Leffler Jr. and his wife Julie; grandchildren, William P. Leffler III and his wife Ashley; and greatgrandchildren, Amy Lynn Leffler.

Funeral services were held February 17, from the Blakeslee United Methodist Church with Rev. Joseph Healey officiating. Burial followed in Northwood Cemetery, Philadelphia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blakeslee United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 142 Blakeslee, PA 18610 or to Compassus Home Hospice Care, 672 North River Street, Suite 301, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18704.

The Kresge Funeral Home, 1763 Route 209, Brodheadsville, was in charge of the arrangements. www.kresgefuneralhome. com

Keith Gerod Kennedy, AKA, Keith Ice, of Tobyhanna, passed away on February 12, 2023 at the age of 57. He was born on September 12, 1965 in Harlem, NYC to parents Elise Parker and James Kennedy. He was the loving husband of Christy (Jackson) Kennedy, with whom he shared 22 years.

Keith worked as a Project Manager - Section 8 for the New York City Housing and Preservation for over 20 years, and retired on December 30, 2022. Keith was a kind, loving, warmhearted, God-fearing man. He had the ability to touch people’s lives in many different ways. Once you met Keith, you loved him. He had a way with connecting with people with his honest

Keith Gerod Kennedy

words. Keith loved his family. Keith would always say, God 1st, family second, and everything else will fall in line.

Keith battled cancer for 5 years and never gave up. He fought it to the end, leaving behind a host of family and friends. No matter how sick he was he always kept a smile on his face and never wanted anyone to weep for him. That’s the kind of man he was. When you want to remember Keith, remember him as an honest, kind, loving, strong, God-fearing family man.

Keith is predeceased by his father, James Kennedy; step-dad, Samuel Dunnum; grandmother, Victory Johnson; brother, Robert Kennedy; sister, Barbara Ann Neville.

Keith is survived by his wife, Christy Kennedy; two sons, Naia Blend and Trinity Blend; daughter, Christine Kennedy; and mother, Elise Kennedy.

The family would like to thank Keith’s two nieces, Tyesh Neville and Tasheis Turner; grand-niece, Thayer Thomas; and five friends, Edwina Sewell, Nora Sewell, Diana Delgado, Maurice levene, and Denise Alexandra-Brown.

A funeral service was held February 17, at Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Rd, Cresco. Memories or condolences may be shared at bolockfuneralhome.com for the Kennedy family.

Richard Monroe Gross

Richard Monroe Gross, 93, a long-time resident of Mount Pocono, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Born in Allentown he was the son of the late Ervin W and Lillian M. (Geisinger) Gross. Richard worked for his family-owned construction business, Ervin W. Gross & Sons, for many years. He was a master carpenter, building kitchens, operating heavy equipment among other things with his father and five brothers. Richard was also a long-time member of Mount Allen Hunting Association, an avid hunter, photographer, and artist with many talents. Richard will be lovingly remembered by his sister, Maryellen Hanson; brothers, Ernest Gross of Mount Pocono, Charles Gross, Allen Gross and his wife Doe of

Cresco and his sister-inlaw Ruth Gross of Mount Pocono as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, other family members and his many friends. Richard is preceded in death by his brothers, George Gross of Cresco and Roy Gross of Mount Pocono.

A funeral service took place February 18, in the Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco. Private interment took place at St. Paul’s Cemetery of Swiftwater. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Co., 20 Murray Ave, Mount Pocono, PA 18344 or the Mount Pocono United Methodist Church, 12 Church Ave, Mt Pocono, PA 18344.