Edmund F. Gutkowski, Sr., age 97 of 253 Wells St., Meshoppen, PA, passed away Monday afternoon, October 1, 2012 at Hospice Community Care in Dunmore, PA after a short illness.
Edmund was born on February 13, 1915 in Georgetown, PA the son of the late Alex and Edith Gutkowski.
Edmund served his country during WWII as a Corporal with the 318th Squadron of the US Air Corps, and he sure loved to tell his stories of his time overseas.
After his time in Air Corps, he worked as a truck driver for Kintner Milling Co. in Meshoppen.
Edmund was a member of St. Joachim's Roman Catholic Church of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Meshoppen, as well as, the Rought Hall Post # 510 American Legion in Black Walnut, PA, the V.F.W. Endless Mountains Post # 3583 in Mehoopany, PA, the Meshoppen Rod and Gun Club, and the NRA. He had many talents but most notably as a wood carver, carving many animals but mostly birds. He was a local historian again telling many stories of his past, especially while spending time at his favorite eating spot at Young's Restaurant in Meshoppen. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. In addition, he was a taxidermist in his spare time. Plus he was a collector of Indian Artifacts searching around the area to find authentic items.
Edmund is survived by his daughter Donna M. Gentilezza and her husband Santo of Scranton, PA; his sons Edmund F. Gutkowski, Jr. of Wyalusing, PA and Dale Newhall Gutkowski and his friend, Stacy Faux, of Meshoppen; his grandchildren Carol Gutkowski of Tunkhannock, PA, Edmund F. Gutkowski, III, of Meshoppen, Tina Gutkowski of Tunkhannock, Marrissa McGraw and her husband Andy of Binghamton, NY, April Lemelin and her husband Ed of Sweet Valley, PA, and Becki Newhall of Meshoppen, PA; eight great grandchildren; his sisters Barbara and Edith of Georgia; several nieces and nephews; and his special buddy, Rusty, his beagle. He was preceded in death by his daughter Carol Gutkowski who passed away in 1969, his brothers Leo Gutkowski, John Gutkowski, Chester Gutkowski, and Phillip Gutkowski, and his sister Jean Kazicki.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 5, 2012 at 10:00 AM from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main St., Meshoppen, PA with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at the St. Joachim's Roman Catholic Church in Meshoppen with Father Joseph Manarchuck of the church officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Joachim's Cemetery in Meshoppen, with graveside military services conducted by the members of the Rought Hall Post #510 American Legion, of Black Walnut, PA., the Dennis Strong Post #457 American Legion of Tunkhannock, PA. and the Endless Mountains Post# 3583 V.F.W. of Mehoopany, PA.. Family and friends may call at the Sheldon Funeral Home in Meshoppen on Thursday, October 4, 2012 from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 PM. A Rosary will be recited on Thursday evening, October 4, 2012 at 8:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers those wishing to make memorial donations may do so to St. Joachim's Roman Catholic Church via Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Office, 245 State Street, Wyalusing, PA 18853.