Wilkes Barre Obituaries

Let’s be honest. Reading obituaries used to feel morbid. But not the ones from Wilkes-Barre. They are a strange, beautiful, and hilarious peek into real life.

These aren’t dry lists of dates. They are short stories about real people. And Wilkes-Barre obits are famous for being wonderfully weird.

The Classic "Sheer Curtains" Detail

You’ll see it a lot. “She loved her sheer curtains.” Wait, what? It’s a genuine local obsession.

Forget hobbies. Curtains are a personality trait here. One obituary might praise someone’s collection of porcelain cats. Another will celebrate their love for pierogies and polka music.

It’s oddly endearing. You learn what truly mattered to them—like a perfectly hung valance or a clean driveway.

The Best Last Words (Ever)

Families here don’t hold back. They write exactly what Grandpa would say. “He enjoyed a good argument at the VFW.” Or “She never met a bingo card she didn’t like.”

One famous obit said the deceased “won the battle with his wife every night.” Another simply noted: “He was a terrible dancer but didn’t care.” It’s pure, unfiltered gold.

These aren’t eulogies. They’re roasts—but with love. You can almost hear the poker table laughter while reading them.

Obituaries | Wilkes Barre PA | Jendrzejewski Funeral Home

Death by Canoe? You Bet

Some details are jaw-dropping. A local obituary once described a man who passed “doing what he loved: falling out of a canoe.” No joke. That was the official cause listed.

Another lady’s obit said she “died peacefully, surrounded by her 47 afghans.” You don’t know what an afghan is? It’s a knitted blanket. Forty-seven of them. That’s commitment.

And there’s always someone who “loved to curse at the television.” It’s a local sport. Reading these, you realize people in Wilkes-Barre live loudly and leave loudly.

The Irish Goodbye (Literally)

Every obituary lists the funeral details. But Wilkes-Barre takes it to another level. Expect paragraphs about the kielbasa served at the wake. Or the exact recipe for the halupki they made for Christmas.

One recent obit asked mourners to wear flannel shirts. No suits allowed. Another requested everyone do a shot of Jim Beam at the grave. The funeral home is basically a party planner.

All Obituaries – Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

And the “in lieu of flowers” section? Forget the American Heart Association. They want donations to the local dog shelter. Or the Polish club. Or, honestly, just buy yourself a drink in their name.

Why This Matters (For Real)

You might think this is silly. But it’s not. These obituaries are history. They capture the soul of a coal-mining town that refuses to be boring.

They remind us that life is about small, weird joys. Like a good argument. A perfect curtain. Or a last cold beer with friends.

So next time you’re in Wilkes-Barre, grab a Times Leader. Skip the front page. Head straight to the obits. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll crave a pierogi.

Trust me. It’s the most fun death reading you’ll ever have.