32 Commercial St. Suite 2, Honesdale, PA 18431
William Douglas Phillips
"Doug" served his country as a Seaman Second Class in the US Navy from June 1945 to July 1946. Stationed at USNTC, Sampson, N.Y/USNTS, Newport R.I./ USS Oregon City (CA). During that time he received a Victory Medal and the American Theater Ribbon. After returning to Northern Wayne County he obtained his teaching degree and taught at the Preston School from 1952-1960. He also coached basketball and baseball until his retirement. He was a recognized athlete in his own right and was inducted into the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame.
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Corner of Church & 8th St
William Reif
Bill graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1960 with a BS Degree in Business Administration and majored in accounting. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. He took ROTC in college and went into the Army as a Second Lieutenant. In 1960 his unit, the 6th Missile Battalion, 61st Artillery, received a year's training on the Hawk missile at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX and White Sands Missile Range. His entire Battalion shipped out from New York City Harbor on December 22, 1961, for Germany at the time of the Berlin Crises. He was stationed just outside Munich and finished his active tour of duty on November 6, 1962, as a First Lieutenant and continued his military commitment in the reserves obtaining the rank of Captain. He began his career with the E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company on February 4, 1963, in the Textile Fibers Department, Textile Marketing Division, Charlotte, NC. There he met Janie. Bill was a member of The Bachelors Club of Charlotte. Just four months after their marriage, Bill was transferred to New York City as an Advertising Specialist to support the DuPont corporate image. Bill and Janie worked on the fourth floor of the Empire State Building and lived in Guttenberg, NJ. A year later, on August 1, 1966, he was transferred to Wilmington, DE in the Textile Marketing Division. He and Janie resided in Newark, DE, where they raised their two children, Shelley and David. Bill retired from DuPont on July 5, 1999, serving 36 years in several divisions. On June 24, 2003, Bill and Janie returned to their roots to permanently reside at Elk Lake, after having lived 37 years in Newark, DE.
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Church St. between 7th and 8th
M. Sgt. Robert B. Rine
"Bob" as he liked to be called served In the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Msgt E-8 Robert Rine was an aircraft airframe maintenance chief and aircraft structural mechanic. Bob served his country from April 1962 to April 1982 (Active service and Marine Corps Reserve). During that time he was stationed at Quantico, VA, New River, NC, Vietnam, Okinawa & Willow Grove, PA. During his service, he served with HMxI at Quantico (Presidential Helicopter Squadron) for 8 years. He received the Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation W1 Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal W/1 Star, Meritorious Unit Commendation W/1 Star, Humanitarian Service Medal W/1 Star, Good Conduct Medal W/1 Silver Star and One Bronze Star, Service Pistol, Sharpshooter and Marksmanship Badges. Upon returning to his hometown of Honesdale he worked at Murray Co, Narrowsburg Lumber, and the Tobyhanna Army Depot for 18 years. and was Deputy PA Game Commission for 10 years and was a Hunter Education Instructor.
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North Main between 17th and 18th St
Stanley Rudowicz
"Rudy" served during the Vietnam War as a Sergeant in the United States Army. He served his country from 1967-1968 stationed in Vietnam as a Supply Sergeant. During his time in the service, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. Upon returning to the States he joined the Pennsylvania State Police. He came to be a resident of Wayne County after being transferred to Troop R to serve and protect. Thank you for your service in the US Army and PSP.
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North Main near Aqua Pennsylvania office
Reed Jay Schweighofer
Born on the family farm in Girdland, PFC Schwighofer served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. Reed gave the ultimate sacrifice and was killed in action on March 5, 1968, while serving with his Infantry Unit on a combat operation. PFC Schwighofer was an Armored Personnel Carrier driver for Company A 5th Battalion (Mech) 60th Infantry during this incident. Reed was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Before his death, Reed had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and the Marksman Badge with rifle bar. The Schweighofer family paid the ultimate price with the loss of their young son to ensure the freedoms that we all enjoy today.
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West Park St near Gretchen’s Grotto
John Sejik
John served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps from Sept 28, 1967, through 1972 with the H&HS Squadron, MCAS, Yuma, Arizona. He completed his tour as part of the Marine Corps Reserve. He received the Good Conduct Medal on September 28, 1967, and was decorated with the N-14 Marksman Rifleman's Badge and the National Defense Service Medal. John lived in Honesdale on Elizabeth Ave for 30 years.
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Corner of 10th and Court St.
Martin William Shaughnessy
Best known as "Bill" to all who knew him. Bill was an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force. He served during the Vietnam War and was a member of the special 25-man construction team known as PRIME BEEF (Base Engineer Emergency Force) building the Pleiku Air Force Base in Pleiku, South Vietnam. When returning to Honesdale he became a businessman selling and repairing HVAC. At the tender age of 22, he wrote home to his parents the following: "And so we must fight this lousy war, which is all wrong, for the things we take for granted every day. The right to go to church where and when we wish, to speak and think freely. To do as we wish within the law. The war must be fought because of the beautiful mountains of Pennsylvania New York and New England, all the way to the Pacific, the main street in Glen Head, and tree-lined Oaklawn Ave...As you read these words, look out the window at our little American hometown, just like so many others. Believe it or not, what you might see or feel in your heart is just exactly what this war is all about."
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West Park St near the car wash
Bernard G. Southerton
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Bernie served with the 83rd Infantry Division, 329 Regiment. While in the service during WW II, he was given the nickname "Sully." He attained the rank of Sergeant. Bernie was a Jeep driver for Company L, so he named his Jeep "LuLu." He was stationed in England, Wales, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium, and after his capture at Stalags 12 A and 3 B. Some of his many heroic acts included landing off the barge and into the water on D-6.On Sept. 9, 1944, French soldiers reported that 20,000 Germans wanted to surrender. General Macon and Major General Erick Elster set up a meeting in Beaugency. Due to a lack of time and ability to inform all the units of the surrender, the Germans were allowed to keep their weapons. Southerton was one of the seven jeep drivers transporting the officers to the meeting. He was then one of a dozen soldiers to keep surveillance of the armed Germans for over a week while the preparations for the surrender were finalized. On the evening of November 9, 1944, while in Luxembourg, Sergeant Southerton was taking two officers and supplies to an outpost when he was ambushed and wounded. When he regained consciousness, German soldiers were standing over him with guns. He was taken to Stalag Camp 12 A. His mother received a telegram from the War Department on November 27, 1944, informing her that her son was missing in action. It was not until March 5, 1945, when the family of fellow Wayne Countian, John J. Boyle, received a letter from him mentioning that he had met Southerton. They contacted Mrs. Southerton to tell her about the status of her son and that he was a POW. Sgt. Southerton was one of the prisoners who endured a march through the snow from Stalag 12 A to Stalag 3 B. It was here in May of 1945 that his former unit liberated the camp. They were surprised to see him because he had been presumed dead. When Bernie returned home after the war, he never received any of his medals. During the time of war orders for medals were often lost or the officers making the recommendations were killed or wounded, leaving many soldiers without the decorations they earned and deserved. From 1993 to 94, his family worked to get the four Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Medal, Machine Gun, Rifle Awards, and the Combat Infantryman Army Award that he should have received. Sgt. Southerton was to have been awarded the Normandy Star for Bravery for his help in capturing 20,000 Germans in Beaugency, France, but the medal never arrived. The family was told that the French government stopped issuing medals related to WW II in 1954. A lifelong resident of Honesdale, Bernie began working for the Murray Company, then joined the electrical union where he worked in many areas. He changed careers becoming a mailman at the Honesdale Post Office in 1956 until his retirement.
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Church St by the Grace Episcopal Church
George Jerome Southerton
A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps. George was a member of the 405th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group. He attained the rank of Corporal. He earned and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Ribbon, European-African-Middle East Theater Service Ribbon, and three (3) Overseas Service Bars. George saw action in WWII. He was stationed in Seattle when stateside and overseas George was in England, France, and Luxembourg, Germany. His main job was auto equipment mechanic, and Jeep driver, and was assigned to a forward AAF unit in support of the army troops. His duties included calling in air support and at times using a mounted machine gun on a jeep to fire at German planes. He once talked about firing at the enemy planes until the gun barrel was red hot! A story told to his family about his time in England just before the invasion of Europe he was assigned to prep vehicles for the D-Day landing. George covered key engine parts with layers of grease and then drove the vehicles into the Thames River at low tide to test the waterproofing. He was among those who landed at Normandy on D-Day late in the evening after the Allied troops had taken the beaches. He drove one of the jeeps off the landing craft onto the beach. George served as part of the occupation forces in Germany and was stationed in German Field Marshal Hermann Goering's private Black Forest Reserve. He would hunt deer in the preserve to supply the troops with fresh deer meat. A skill he learned as a lifelong resident of Honesdale. George was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also was introduced to new spinning reels for trout fishing while in Germany. On his return to Honesdale, he went to the local tackle shop telling them of the reels. Before being shipped to Europe and while stationed outside Seattle, Washington he was able to take in USO activities when on weekend leave. It was there that George and an army buddy went to a USO dance with two girls from South Dakota, Evelyn and Daphna Larsen. George and his buddy eventually married the Larsen sisters. George and Evelyn settled in Honesdale at the end of the war while Daphna and her husband settled in Texas. After returning to Honesdale, George worked as a mechanic at Kinsman's Garage. George and Evelyn raised three children. George passed away just before his 96th birthday. He remained an avid hunter and fisherman until the day he died.
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1224 Main St
Edward J. Sparrow
Edward has served in the United States Navy since 2006 to present. His rank is Mineman 1st Class E6. His job is in Navel Explosives, a job he is very fond of. While serving, he was stationed at the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and at San Diego Naval Base. He is currently in the Naval Reserves and works as a Pennsylvania State Trooper after attending Lackawanna College Police Academy and the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey, PA.
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West Park St near Wayne Memorial Hospital
Mary M. Swingle
Mary Swingle joined the Army Nurse Corps during WWII. Serving from April 1, 1945- October 25, 1945. Mary was ranked as 2nd Lt. and functioned as a Registered Nurse in General Duties at the Oliver General Hospital, Augusta, Georgia. Thank you for your expert services and care provided to our wounded. Not all battles are fought on the battlegrounds.
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Church St between 6th and 7th St
Merritt D. "Doc" Swingle
Merritt liked to be called "Doc". He served proudly in the United States Army during WWII. Doc was ranked as T/4 serving in the Signal Corp. while stationed in Berlin Germany. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and was discharged from the Army on Jan. 25, 1947. After returning to his home and family in Hawley he then went on to have a career working for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. Thank you for your service.
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Church St between 6th and 7th St
Clarke W. Taninies
Clarke was inducted into the United States Marine Corps. He became part of the Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines during the Vietnam War. Obtaining the rank of Corporal as a Point Guard Soldier is one of the most dangerous jobs to have. The point man was out in front of the unit and became the eyes and ears of the patrol. Clarke earned a Purple Heart. The citizens of Wayne County and the United States thank you for your heroic actions to protect others. Banner Location:
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North Main St near 13th St
John C. VanBlarcum
Sgt. John VanBlarcom served his country in the Air Force (1968-1971), during the Vietnam War. John was a Flight Mechanic and was stationed in Thailand. Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force on April 22, 1974. In starting a new chapter in his life he chose to become a Heavy Equipment Operator. Thank you for protecting our Freedoms and making a better place in the world for others.
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West Park St between West St and Main St Central
Joseph Wasylyk
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Joe served during WW II. He was an Infantryman and attained the rank of Private. He saw action in the European Theater of Operations. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained in battle. He also earned and was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge. Stateside Joe received training at Camp Phillips, Kansas, and Camp Forrest, Tennessee. He was also stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland before being shipped overseas from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. Before the war, he was employed by the Hudson Coal Co. and returned to work thereafter the war. While working in the mines his arm was crushed requiring major surgery. After leaving Hudson Coal Co. he worked for General Motors Corp. in Linden, N. J. for 15 years. Tired of the long commute and time away from his family he left General Motors and purchased a business in Honesdale. He owned Wasylyk's Bar on Main Street in Honesdale. He sold the business after 20 years and retired. He lived in the Honesdale area until he died in 1994. Banner Location:
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Church St between 5th and 6th St.
Thomas R. Weber
"Tom" has served in the United States Army and The Army National Guard. Obtaining the rank of CW3. Tom served active duty from June 1988-1996 and 1997-2022 in the Texas Army National Guard. Stationed at Fort Riley KS, Korea, Fort Hood TX. Served in Saudi Arabia for 3 months, Desert Storm for 1 year in Iraq (Iraqi Freedom) Tom received multiple medals and awards: 3 ARCOM, 1MSM, 8 Army Achievement, 2 Overseas, Iraqi, Freedom, and Saudi Liberation. Tom now is retired but remembers attending an Aaron Tippin concert while in the Army.
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Willow Avenue by Davis R. Chant
Leo G. Weidner
Leo was a lifelong resident of Wayne County serving in the Army Air Corps. during WWII. Leo served from 1942-1946. Obtaining the rank of Corporal while stationed in Eng land, France, and Belgium. During his time overseas he served with the 497th Bombardment Squadron 344th Bombardment Group as ground crew of the B-26 Bomber/Airplane Sheet Metal. Worker, He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 6 Bronze Stars. After his honorable discharge on October 20, 1945, he returned to Honesdale where he worked as a machinist and later as a guard at Farview State Hospital in Waymart.
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West Park St near Antler Ridge
Terry Werner
Terry was born and raised in Wayne County. Joining the Navy in Sept. 1955 during the Cuban Crisis. He earned the rank of EN2 and was tasked as a Midshipman from 1955-1959. After returning to Wayne County he was employed as a TV repairman and later owned "Werner's Bar". Terry was another example of a Proud American Sailor who put his life on the line for our freedoms and safety. Thank you for your courage and service.
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North Main St near Aqua
Edward Williams
Edward Williams is the son of John and Leda Williams and was raised on the family dairy farm in West Damascus Township. He graduated from Damascus High School in 1960. In 1963 he graduated from the Orange County Community College in Middletown, NY with a degree in Business Administration. In September of 1963, he was accepted into the Naval Aviation Pilot Training Command in NAS Pensacola, FL. After a seventeen-week preflight military subject, he began actual pilot training in the T-34 Mentor and soloed in that aircraft. Continuing in the program he was trained in a larger T-28 B and C model aircraft where he completed training in basic instrument flight and sessions in close-order formation flying. He finished the T-28 training after completing training to land on an aircraft carrier. He completed touch and goes and actual trapping aboard the USS Lexington aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Mexico. Upon completion, he was ordered to the NAS Corpus Christi Texas Naval Air Station for advanced multi-engine training in the Grumman S-2F courses in advanced instrument flight training resulting in further training for eventual landing on the USS Intrepid in the North Atlantic Ocean (The Intrepid is now out of service and is a aviation museum in NY Harbor). After completing the final courses at Corpus Christi, he graduated with flight training, received the coveted Navy Wings of Gold, and was promoted to Ensign. Soon he was transferred to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland where became a new pilot in a multi-engine, forty-four-passenger transport aircraft. Routine transport flights could begin from NAS Brunswick, ME, and nearly every Naval, USAF, and Marine Air station on the east coast to NAS Key West, FL. Occasionally, flights could cross the US to California Air Stations carrying either cargo or passengers. Upon completing his required five-year tour of duty he was released from active duty, by that time as a Navy Lieutenant. After leaving active duty he accepted a pilot position with Pan American World Airways, flying Boeing 707 airliners from JFK Airport in NY as a junior Co-Pilot. His visions expanded to Europe, Hawaii, and South America. Unfortunately due to the airline industry retreating in size, he was furloughed along with a total of eight hundred pilots. After a few months, he obtained a position with one of the largest global aviation insurance companies in Manhattan, NY. By that time, he met and married Linda Paloscio, a registered nurse, from Brooklyn, NY and they moved to a home in Wayne, NJ. They were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Meredith, an X-ray technician, and later another small person arrived on the scene who later became a high school teacher where she remains today. Christine Williams became Christine Caramanna, presenting us with two grandchildren, Linda Rose and Vincent. Linda Rose completed her Nursing training and graduated from Felician College of Nursing this May. While Ed rose through the ranks within his aviation insurance company, he was promoted to manager of Hull Claims and he traveled worldwide to investigate and manage their accidents and their insured's claims. As a civilian aircraft pilot, he was asked to manage a fleet of eleven regional aircraft in the regional offices nationwide, Later, the company acquired a corporate jet to transport company executives to rapidly get to their destinations. Ed managed and flew this aircraft also. Ed completed a total of thirty-five years with this company and retired as a Vice President. Before retirement, Ed added a new spouse, Jessica Gretina, also an X-ray Technician. The New Jersey home was sold and they retired back to Honesdale, PA, where they reside today. Before retiring, Ed Joined a Navy Weekend Reserve unit at NAS Willow Grove, PA. Here, he was trained to fly a C-118B four engine 65 passenger transport, which required him to fly to many international locations, generally to Spain for the two-week annual duty. He was also their Aviation Safety Officer. He finally retired from a total Naval Service of twenty-two and a half years. He retired as a rank of Full Commander.