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Rev. James E. Edwards, 81, of Newton Lake, Greenfield Township, died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. His wife of 55 years is the former Marion M. Sydoriak.
Born in Carbondale, he was the son of the late James and Elizabeth Sears Edwards. He was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Lackawanna Bible Institute, Luzerne Community College, Wesley Theological Seminary Pastor’s School (Washington, D.C.), and continuing education at University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
He was a Korean War veteran, having served proudly in the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing of the U.S. Air Force in Korea from 1950-51.
Rev. Edwards was an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1967 and became an associate member of the Wyoming Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1984. From 1963 to 1992 he served the following United Methodist Churches full time: Lanesboro, Stevens Point, Bethel Hill, and First United Methodist in West Nanticoke, Askam, Glen Lyon, Wanamie, Avoca, Moosic, Duryea, Plymouth and Larksville.
He served interim pastorates from 1992-2002 in Carbondale, Ransom, Bethel, Maple Grove, Loyalville and Nicholson, and Ouaquaga and Harpursville, N.Y.
On December 8, 1974, at the invitation of the late Congressman Dan Flood, he had the distinct honor of serving as Chaplain of the Day in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he gave the invocation to open that day’s House session. His prayer is recorded in the Congressional Record of that day.
He was a member of many organizations including: Past Master, Nanticoke Lodge#541 F.& A.M.; Caldwell Consistory Valley of Bloomsburg; Past Noble Grand, Askam Lodge # 877 IOOF; life member of the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association; Past President, St. David’s Society of Wyoming Valley, Inc.; National Welsh-American Foundation; Shawnee Senior Citizens, Plymouth; Life member of the Greenfield Twp. Historical Society; American Legion Post #0945; life member VFW Post #15040; Life member Korean War Veterans Association, Inc. He served as Chaplain/Chaplain Emeritus of the 67th Tac Recon Reunion Society and host for its 10th reunion in 2011.
The family would like to thank Dr. Neal Davis and staff, especially “his sweetheart Patty”; Paragon Home Health Care, especially Kim and “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm...my Becky”; Forest City Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their care, compassion and “humor”; Marian Community Hospital; and the Greenfield Twp. Ambulance Corps.
During his years in the ministry, he was active in the ministeriums in each area where he served, and held offices in each one. He enjoyed the true spirit of Ecumenism in all areas of his life. Serving and loving his Lord, his family and his country were his first and foremost priorities. He was a pastor, preacher and friend; he was a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grampa and great grampa.
Also surviving are: two daughters and sons-in-law, Holly and the Rev. Norman “Ted” Faux, Lake Ariel, Pa.; Suzanne and Mark Smerdon, Sr., Moosic, Pa.; six grandchildren — Mark, Jr., and Christine Smerdon; Amanda, Elizabeth, Paul and Nathan Faux; and a greatgrandson, Jeremiah Thomas Faux.
He was preceded in death by: two sisters, Ruth Reese and Ella Schuster; and a nephew, Charles Schuster.
The funeral was held Saturday, Oct. 29, at First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, with the Rev. Donald E. Walls officiating. Interment with military honors, Valley View Memorial Park, Montdale.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Korean War Veterans Association, Inc., or Lake Ariel Faith Fellowship, 152 Deacon Hill Rd., Lake Ariel.
Arrangements by the Oliver Shifler & Scotchlas Funeral Home, Inc., 62 North Main St., Carbondale, Pa. (www.shiflerfuneralhome.com).
Rev. James E. Edwards, 81, of Newton Lake, Greenfield Township, died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. His wife of 55 years is the former Marion M. Sydoriak.
Born in Carbondale, he was the son of the late James and Elizabeth Sears Edwards. He was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Lackawanna Bible Institute, Luzerne Community College, Wesley Theological Seminary Pastor’s School (Washington, D.C.), and continuing education at University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
He was a Korean War veteran, having served proudly in the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing of the U.S. Air Force in Korea from 1950-51.
Rev. Edwards was an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1967 and became an associate member of the Wyoming Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1984. From 1963 to 1992 he served the following United Methodist Churches full time: Lanesboro, Stevens Point, Bethel Hill, and First United Methodist in West Nanticoke, Askam, Glen Lyon, Wanamie, Avoca, Moosic, Duryea, Plymouth and Larksville.
He served interim pastorates from 1992-2002 in Carbondale, Ransom, Bethel, Maple Grove, Loyalville and Nicholson, and Ouaquaga and Harpursville, N.Y.
On December 8, 1974, at the invitation of the late Congressman Dan Flood, he had the distinct honor of serving as Chaplain of the Day in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he gave the invocation to open that day’s House session. His prayer is recorded in the Congressional Record of that day.
He was a member of many organizations including: Past Master, Nanticoke Lodge#541 F.& A.M.; Caldwell Consistory Valley of Bloomsburg; Past Noble Grand, Askam Lodge # 877 IOOF; life member of the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association; Past President, St. David’s Society of Wyoming Valley, Inc.; National Welsh-American Foundation; Shawnee Senior Citizens, Plymouth; Life member of the Greenfield Twp. Historical Society; American Legion Post #0945; life member VFW Post #15040; Life member Korean War Veterans Association, Inc. He served as Chaplain/Chaplain Emeritus of the 67th Tac Recon Reunion Society and host for its 10th reunion in 2011.
The family would like to thank Dr. Neal Davis and staff, especially “his sweetheart Patty”; Paragon Home Health Care, especially Kim and “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm...my Becky”; Forest City Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for their care, compassion and “humor”; Marian Community Hospital; and the Greenfield Twp. Ambulance Corps.
During his years in the ministry, he was active in the ministeriums in each area where he served, and held offices in each one. He enjoyed the true spirit of Ecumenism in all areas of his life. Serving and loving his Lord, his family and his country were his first and foremost priorities. He was a pastor, preacher and friend; he was a loving husband, a great dad, and a doting grampa and great grampa.
Also surviving are: two daughters and sons-in-law, Holly and the Rev. Norman “Ted” Faux, Lake Ariel, Pa.; Suzanne and Mark Smerdon, Sr., Moosic, Pa.; six grandchildren — Mark, Jr., and Christine Smerdon; Amanda, Elizabeth, Paul and Nathan Faux; and a greatgrandson, Jeremiah Thomas Faux.
He was preceded in death by: two sisters, Ruth Reese and Ella Schuster; and a nephew, Charles Schuster.
The funeral was held Saturday, Oct. 29, at First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, with the Rev. Donald E. Walls officiating. Interment with military honors, Valley View Memorial Park, Montdale.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Korean War Veterans Association, Inc., or Lake Ariel Faith Fellowship, 152 Deacon Hill Rd., Lake Ariel.
Arrangements by the Oliver Shifler & Scotchlas Funeral Home, Inc., 62 North Main St., Carbondale, Pa. (www.shiflerfuneralhome.com).
