Obituary of Willard Luke

Willard "Bill" Luke, age 76 of Lehman Township, entered into eternal life the evening of Friday, August 22, 2014 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Hospice Unit, Plains Township, surrounded by his family. Mr. Luke was born in Dorchester, MA on October 13, 1937 and was the son of the late Ralph and Olive Luke. His 10 year Navy career was highlighted by working at the Whitehouse and Camp David the last year of Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency and the first year of John F. Kennedy. He babysat Caroline and John John Kennedy at Camp David. He served in Newfoundland and Barbados, B.W.I. as well. Overseas, living in Istanbul, Turkey, Bill took a boat to work from the European side of the Bosphorus River to the Asian Continent, where there was a surveillance outpost behind an old Fort. The information from that area informed President Kennedy that missiles from Russia were on their way to Cuba. Bill spent his off duty time working with Operation Mobilization to spread the Gospel in Turkey. Returning to Civilian life, Bill worked remodeling homes. He later worked for Service Masters Industries as head of maintenance at hospitals in Boston, Lockport, NY; some school systems and eventually to the sisters of Mercy retirement center in Dallas. Later he worked for Little Lumber Co. and then Weiss markets for over 10 years. Bill was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 48 years, Virginia; daughters, Deborah Freeland and her husband David of Middleburg, and Valerie Luke-Kelley and her husband Roger of Wilkes-Barre; grandson, Brandon Kelley and granddaughter, Amber Kelley who had resided with their grandparents. He was preceded in death by sisters, Pearl Hershelman and Thelma Sorenson. He is also survived by his sister, Edith Johansen of Milton, MA, near Boston, 10 nieces and 3 nephews. Many great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 7PM from the Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, 45 Hildebrandt Road, Dallas, with Pastors Marc Ramirez and Dennis Madeira officiating. Bill's family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Oza, the chemotherapy nurses and staff on the Oncology Unit at the Wilkes-Barre VA Hospital, the nurses and staff at the Meadows Nursing Center during Bill's short stay there. They are very thankful for the staff and volunteers of the VA hospice unit who enabled them as a family to spend quality time with Bill as his body succumbed to an aggressive form of leukemia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donation to be made to the VA Hospice Unit, 1111 East End Blvd, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, or the Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, 45 Hildebrandt Road, Dallas, PA 18612 or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com