Daniel M. Hinchcliff

Daniel M. Hinchcliff, 63, of Shickshinny died Thursday, September 1, 2022, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Born August 25, 1959, in the Berwick Hospital, he was the son of Harold “Hap” and Marlene Brown Hinchcliff.

He attended schools in the Greater Nanticoke Area School District, graduating in 1977 from John S. Fine High School, Nanticoke. Following high school he worked part-time at the Mayo Funeral Home in Berwick and attended Luzerne County Community College. After completing his training at Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, N.Y., he was awarded his diploma in Mortuary Sciences in 1981, then took and passed the National Board of Funeral Directors Exam. Following an internship of one year at the Mayo Funeral Home, Dan tested for and received his State Board license in 1982. He worked as a funeral director for the Mayo Funeral Home in Berwick from 1982 until 1990, when he became supervisor of the Shickshinny branch of the Mayo Funeral Home, Inc.

In addition to serving the Shickshinny and surrounding community as a funeral director, Dan was a founding member and member of the Board of Directors of the Shickshinny Area Business Association, former member and treasurer of Shickshinny Forward, president of the Twin Cities Lions’ Club of Shickshinny and Mocanaqua, and a member of Knapp Lodge 462 F.&A.M. of Berwick, Berwick/Bloomsburg Royal Arch Chapter no. 218, Mt. Moriah Council No. 10 Royal & Select Master Masons of Berwick, Crusade Commandery No. 12 Knights Templar, Orangeville, and Valley of Bloomsburg Caldwell Consistory. He maintained regular membership with the Pennsylvania Funeral Directors Association (PFDA), the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), and Luzerne County Funeral Directors Association. He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Wapwallopen and had attended the First United Methodist Church of Shickshinny and served as trustee. He also served as a deputy coroner for Luzerne County.

Surviving in addition to his parents are his wife of 31 years, the former Marilou Zeller; a sister, Linda Hinchcliff and her companion Todd Houseknecht, Bloomsburg; nephew Nathan Schell and wife Roni, Lock Haven; great niece Mia Schell; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 6, 2022, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mayo Funeral Home, Inc., 77 North Main Street, Shickshinny where a Masonic Service will be held at 5:00 P.M. and the Luzerne County Funeral Directors Association will have a service at 7:00 P.M. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 416 Church Street, Wapwallopen with Rev. Jane Hess and Pastor Roger C. Noss Jr. officiating.

Burial will be in the Old River Church Cemetery, Wapwallopen.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wapwallopen Historical Society fbo Old River Church, 86 Ruckle Hill Road, Wapwallopen, PA 18660; Old River Church Cemetery Association, 86 Ruckle Hill Road, Wapwallopen, PA 18660; St. John’s United Church of Christ, 31 Smith Mt. Road, Wapwallopen, PA 18660; or First United Methodist Church, Shickshinny, 6 E. Butler St., Shickshinny PA 18655.

To share condolences with Dan’s family, visit www.mayofh.com.  

Joseph G. Hoffman

HOFFMAN – Joseph G., 79, Boswell, died September 9, 2022 at The Villa Crest, Johnstown. Born October 29, 1942 in Johnstown. Son of Joseph H. and Madelyn R. (Griffith) Hoffman. Preceded in death by parents; best friend and wife, former Mary Ann (Zanoni) Hoffman on June 8, 2006, whom he liked in second grade, dated in high school and married October 2, 1965. Also preceded in death by sister, Pam Gavel; special mother and father-in-law, Dolly and Geno Zanoni and many other special relatives and friends. Survived by children, Christopher married to Penny (Shaffer), Davidsville; Jeffrey married to Stacy (Croyle), Jenners and Joette married to Ron Stephens, Bunker Hill, WV. Joe and Mary Ann were blessed with grandchildren that brought them tremendous pride and happiness, Audrey, Ethan, Kylie and Alec Hoffman and R.J. Stephens and wife Samantha and Cameron and Jacob Stephens. Also survived by loving sister, Nancy “Nannie Lou” married to Roger Stern; in-laws, Bill Gavel, Gloria Boose and Elda Speigle and numerous other relatives and friends. Joe was a 1960 graduate of J.B.J. Joint High School, where “had a fun time” should have been written on his diploma. Also, a graduate of Indiana State College (Now IUP) and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Marriage and children followed with the many peaks and valleys that constitute life. Joe was proud to be a fourth-generation funeral director and see the family business, established in 1841, be continued by his sons. Funeral service gave Joe a very ecumenical view of life, but he greatly enjoyed his membership early in life at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and, after marriage, at St. Joseph’s and All Saints Catholic Churches. He was actively involved in numerous professional and community service organizations during his lifetime and always tried to follow the Jaycee creed that “Service to humanity is the best work of life.” Many community projects were attempted; some failed, some succeeded, but all were worth the effort. He never really took up any hobbies, other than watching his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers. He and Mary Ann enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. Trips to the beach were most special. Joe believed in the motto, “Make others smile wherever you go, not whenever you go.” Viewing from 6-8PM Tuesday and 2-4 & 6-8PM Wednesday at Hoffman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 409 Main Street, Boswell. Funeral Mass 11AM Thursday at All Saints Catholic Church, Boswell with Rev. Fr. Aron Maghsoudi, Celebrant. Committal Holy Cross Cemetery, Jerome. Donations in Joe’s memory may be sent to Boswell Area Historical Society, PO Box 39, Boswell, PA 15531. To express condolences, make a donation, order flowers or plant a memorial tree, visit HoffmanFuneralHomes.com. 

Louis F. Donato

Age 79, of West Deer Township, unexpectedly, on Saturday, September 24, 2022. Beloved husband of 58 years to Ann (Nancy) McGonigle; loving father of Michelle (Tony) Bianco and Mark L. (Jada) Donato; Pap Pap and Pappy Lou to Anthony (Madie) Bianco, Victoria Bianco, and Annessa Donato; brother of the late Colene Palitti and Vincent Donato; brother-in-law of the late Richard (Carole surviving) McGonigle, Kathleen (Bill) White, and Patty McGonigle. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.  Lou was the proud owner of Donato Auto Service in Oakmont, PA for 29 years. He was a lifelong Steeler fan and enjoyed his trips with Nancy to Florida in the Winter, spending time at the pool with his friends at the Hunt Club and cruising in his convertible Mini Cooper.  What Lou enjoyed most was spending time with his devoted wife, children and his grandchildren who were his pride and joy. Friends and family will be received on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 2-8 pm at English Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 378 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 10:30 am in Holy Family Parish (St. Irenaeus Church), 387 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. A private interment will be held in Holy Savior Catholic Cemetery Gibsonia, PA. At the request of family, in lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made in Lou’s name to The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank at https://pittsburghfoodbank.org/.

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