Robert Maharty

Robert J. Maharty, 81, of Dallas, formerly of Kingston Township, Forty Fort and Wilkes-Barre, died Saturday, March 24, 2007, in Hampton House, Hanover Township, where he had been a guest for the past two years.
Mr. Maharty was born in Wilkes-Barre, a son of the late Robert and Minnie Davis Maharty, and attended Elmer L. Meyers High School, Wilkes-Barre. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served aboard LST-49 as a seaman first class.
His ship participated in the Normandy Invasion, the invasion of Southern France in the European Theater and was transferred to the Asiatic/Pacific Theater, participating in the assault on Okinawa, and did occupation duty there and in China. The ship earned three battle stars, and Mr. Maharty received the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart, the European Theater Ribbon, the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Defense Medal and the Victory Medal.
After his military service, he was an electrical lineman and had worked for PP&L Co.; T.C. Lloyd Co., Pittston; and for Local 1319, I.B.E.W., Wilkes-Barre, prior to his retirement. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and had owned and operated Back Mountain Sporting Goods for more than 25 years.
Mr. Maharty attended the Welsh Bethel Baptist Church, Wilkes-Barre; had been a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and participated in the Rainbow Senior Citizens Club, both of Wilkes-Barre; and was a member of Fidelity Lodge 655, F&AM, Wilkes-Barre, for more than 50 years; and had been honored by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 2005. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Masonic bodies.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Jean M. Ogin Maharty, RN; and brother William Maharty.
Surviving are a son, Robert G. Maharty, Hunlock Creek; daughters Mrs. John (Sandra) Mannear, Dallas; sisters Mildred Eckenrode, Nevada; Mrs. Fred (Eleanor) Scott, New Jersey; and Mrs. Wassil (Dorothy) Evans, Wilkes-Barre; brother and his wife Donald and Lois Maharty, Wilkes-Barre; granddaughters Mrs. David (Amy) Flaim, Mrs. Larry (Holly) Long, Janet Bennett and Colleen Maharty; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. from the H. Merritt Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 451 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with Pastor Don P. Hartshorne, Welsh Bethel Baptist Church, Wilkes-Barre, officiating.
Interment will be in the Slocum Cemetery, Slocum Township. Friends may call today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Fidelity Lodge will conduct Masonic services this evening.