Betty Ann Porzuczek

Betty Ann Porzuczek, age 78, of Wilkes-Barre Township, passed away peacefully at home on April 7, 2022. Betty was born on Aug. 22, 1943, in Benton, Iowa, where she lived on her family farm until college. Betty was a music major at the University of Iowa where she earned her Bachelor and Master of Arts.

Betty realized her lifelong dream of pursuing music and teaching professionally upon starting her first teaching position at University of Nebraska following graduation. While teaching at University of Nebraska, she met the love of her life, Edward Porzuczek, and moved to Wilkes-Barre to get married and continue her music teaching and performing career at Misericordia University. Betty was a talented musician (piano and organ) and a dedicated, hard-working, and compassionate teacher who encouraged all her students to achieve their full creative and artistic potential. Betty was a beloved professor at Misericordia who served as a teacher, performer, accompanist, mentor, leader, friend and colleague. Betty taught and developed courses ranging from music performance to music theory to world fine arts. She touched the lives of hundreds of students throughout her career. Upon retirement from her 46-year career at Misericordia, Betty was bestowed with the honor and rank of Professor Emerita.

In addition to her role as professor, Betty had numerous musical accomplishments and awards. Her passion and dedication to the fields of music and fine arts was demonstrated through her membership and leadership roles in the Pennsylvania Music Federation, the Mozart Club, American Guild of Organists, Misericordia Chorale Society, organist and choir director at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, as well as performing as a soloist and accompanist locally and regionally. One of Betty's fondest memories of her teaching years is her annual trips to New York City to perform with her choral group at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Aside from her love of music and arts, Betty's greatest love was her husband Edward of 53 years, her three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Betty will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a gentle, kind, loving and funny woman who loved to lead family singalongs and share childhood stories of growing up on her family farm with her parents and six siblings. Most of all, Betty will be remembered as a wife, mother, sister and friend who could always be counted on to be there for her loved ones' joys and sorrows, highs and lows, and successes and failures. Betty had a significant positive impact on many, many lives and will be deeply missed.

Betty is survived by her husband of 53 years, Edward Porzuczek; children MaryEllen (Mike) Mennett, Michael Porzuczek, and David Porzuczek; grandchildren Alyssa, Ariel, Makenzie, Mikayla, Madeleine and Matthew; great-grandchildren Caydence, Jonah and Levi. She is preceded in death by her parents Doris (née Anderson) and Chester Wallace.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 N. Meade St., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at noon in St. Nicholas Church, 226 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. Family and friends may call Monday evening at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m.

At the family's request, please consider a donation to Shriner's Hospital in Betty Porzuczek's name in lieu of flowers.

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Claudia J. Hoffman

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • February 20, 2025

Claudia Joyce (Eike) Hoffman, 77, of McClean St. Wilkes-Barre passed away peacefully Sunday February 16th, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving family She was born January 12th, 1948, daughter to Paul and Anne Eike of Wilkes-Barre, PA. Claudia graduated from E.L. Meyers High School class of 1966 and lived in Wilkes-Barre. She was married to her loving and devoted husband William Hoffman Sr. in 1970 and they spent the last of well over 50 years living by each others side raising a family and navigating life together. Simply put, Claudia loved everyone and everyone loved her. Especially her husband William Sr, 2 sons William Jr and Paul and 5 grandchildren-Tyler, Dorian, Luke, Amelia and Caleb Hoffman. Proceeding her in death were here mother and father Paul and Anne Eike, sisters Marie Hogan and Paula Lavelle. Along with her husband, sons and grandchildren she is survived by her oldest sister Annette Hinman, several cousins, nieces and nephews and close friends. As everyone knew, Claudia spoke her mind and pulled no punches, yet, was the most loving empathetic person you could know. Whether talking your ear off about her custom recipes or “pulling a Claudia” and doing something unexpected, there was no one quite like her. She will be missed immensely yet, memories of her with stay with us forever. She will be cremated by Jendrzejewski Funeral Home in Wilkes-Barre. As per the family's request there will be no funeral service but there will be a Celebration of life event planned in the near future.

Raymond J. Motyka

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • February 20, 2025

Raymond John Motyka., 68, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away February 16 2025 at Allied Services Hospice Center, Wilkes-Barre suddenly of cancer surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Wilkes-Barre on March 29th 1956, and was the son of the late John "Jimmy" Motyka and Leona Motyka. Raymond attended Myers High School, graduated from G.A.R. Memorial High School and Wilkes-Barre Vo-Tech machine shop. He worked as a machinist at R and H Manufacturing, Edwardsville for 38 years. Ray "Moe" enjoyed fixing his 1969 Buick Grand Sport and also was a member of the Bowling Green Kentucky GS Club. Where he rebuilt differentials for his fellow GS members from all around the world. Ray was also "Mr. FIX IT" of the neighborhood, always willing to offer a helping hand. He enjoyed cuddling with his furry friends Cayenne, Rico, Gemma and Sprocket just to name a few. Ray is survived by the love of his life Arlene Pambianco Motyka for the last 41 years. His two loving daughters Rebecca Hearst and husband Thomas of Nanticoke and Erica Motyka of Wilkes-Barre. Also his two grandchildren Hailey and Nathan Hockenbury of Nanticoke. In addition his brother in-law Billy Pambianco and wife Michele, sister in laws Mary Pambianco, Joann Plumer and husband Bryan, Lorraine Edwards and husband Bill and many loving nieces and nephews. We want to also remember Ray's best friends Noman, Dale, Basil, Joe, Wiggy, Gerry, Bill and Ray. He loved them all. A special thank you to the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital staff and all the angels at Wilkes-Barre Allied Hospice. As per Rays wishes, there will be no services. A memorial donation can be made to the SPCA of Luzerne County.

James R. Atherholt

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • February 20, 2025

James R. "Jimmy" Atherholt, 69, of Plains Twp., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Born on March 23, 1955, he was the son of the late Rena and William Atherholt. Jimmy grew up in the Heights section of Wilkes-Barre and carried a strong work ethic throughout his life. He spent time working on oil rigs in New Iberia, Louisiana, before returning home to work in construction for many years. For over 15 years, he was a dedicated employee of Diamond Manufacturing. A master of all trades, Jimmy excelled in carpentry, masonry, and construction, skills that he used not only in his career but also to help family and friends whenever needed. Jimmy was married to the love of his life, Deborah "Debbie" Atherholt, who preceded him in death. The couple shared 44 years of marriage, building a life filled with love and companionship. He was also preceded in death by his beloved sister, Donna Perhach. Surviving are his sister-in-law, Rebecca Ruchinski (Anthony); nieces, Alicia Dukes (David), along with their children, Arienna and Preston Dukes, all of Nanticoke; niece, Autumn Davis of Kingston (Bill); and nephew, William Kammerer of Forty Fort (Chrissy). The family will be privately celebrating Jimmy's life in the coming days and in place of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jimmy’s name to a charity of choice.