Theodore B. Claus

Theodore B. "Ted" Claus, 74, of Wyoming, passed away Wednesday evening, Aug. 31, 2016, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital with his loving wife and sons by his side.

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., he was the son of the late Theodore S. and Helene E. Mahaffey Claus.

After attending Forty Fort High School and graduating from Miller Military High School, Virginia, his love of the ocean and desire to help others led him to serve in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Basilone DD-824. After his active duty in the Navy, Ted joined the Naval Reserve. He then went on to attend Penn State University.

Ted was a "jack of all trades" exploring many careers throughout his lifetime. He worked as a surveyor for Sweinberg-Kolesar Associates in Forty Fort, as a Realtor for McIntyre Reality, Kingston, as a delivery driver for Sherwin Williams, Kingston, and also owned and operated Monument Motor Homes, Wyoming. Prior to retirement, he worked for the Wyoming Area School District.

Ted was also a very active member of Grace Episcopal Church, Kingston, where he served as a vestryman. He spearheaded the committee to restore Grace Episcopal Church after the flood of 1972. Most recently, he attended the Wyoming United Methodist Church with his beloved family.

He volunteered as a member of the Wyoming Recreation Board, was a key figure in the annual Christmas Lights Project, contributed much time to the Butler Street Park renovation project, Wyoming's Haunted Hay Ride, and also participated in the Wyoming Corn Festival.

Ted was a genuine, honest, decisive man who passionately enjoyed cooking, gardening, cruising on the ocean, completing puzzles, fixing/building things and, first and foremost, spending time with family. He also devoted much of his time to his hobby of collecting Lionel trains.

Ted is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nadine MacDonald Claus; two sons and their spouses, Brian and Kathleen Burkhart Claus, Cheswick; and David and Jennifer Kowalchick Claus, State College; and four grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Ian, Jaycee and Brody.

Arrangements are with Metcalfe-Shaver-Kopcza Funeral Home Inc., 504 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming.

The viewing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Aaron Hastie officiating and assisted by the Rev. Harriet Santos and the Rev. Jim Wert of the Wyoming United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Fern Knoll Cemetery, Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wyoming United Methodist Church, 376 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, PA 18644; the Luzerne County SPCA, 524 E. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702; or Blue Chip Farm, 974 Lockville Rd., Dallas, PA 18612.