Obituary of Richard Wascalus

Richard Wascalus, age 72 of Pikes Creek, passed away unexpectedly Friday, October 9, 2015 at home. Mr. Wascalus was born in Wilkes-Barre on February 17, 1943 and was the son of the late Dolores Wascalus Parsons. Richard was a graduate of Plymouth High School class of 1960 and served in the US Navy from 1960-1964. He was employed by the former Natona Mills in Dallas and later was a driver for Luzerne Wyoming County Transportation. Richard enjoyed watching baseball and football, especially the Phillies and Patriots. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by step-father, Howard Parsons. Richard is survived by his wife of 41 years, the former Joann Rogowski; son, Scott Wascalus of Laporte; daughters, Christy Straitiff and her husband Bill, Jr. of Trucksville, Melissa Sorber and her husband Jeremy of Loyalville, and Stephanie Marcin of Noxen; brothers, B.D. Dorshefki of Mountaintop and George Parsons of Coco Beach, FL; sister, Marsha Stempien of Shickshinny; aunt, Rosemary Piston of Plymouth; grandchildren, Kennedy, Annabelle, Madalynn, Novalee, and Vincent III; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 8:00 pm from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek, with Walter "Chip" Sorber. Friends may call 6:00 - 8:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home on Tuesday. Future interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Pikes Creek. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to the Salvation Army, 17 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 or Fresenius Medical Care, 450 W. Main St. Nanticoke, PA 18634 (Dialysis Center).