Thomas E. Kustrin

Thomas E. Kustrin, 91 of the Brookside section of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Saturday afternoon, March 16, 2013, at Commonwealth Hospice of Wilkes-Barre at St. Luke's Villa, Wilkes-Barre, after a lengthy illness.

Thomas was born May 17, 1921 in Plains Township, the son of the late Edward and Frances (Hale) Kustrin.

He was educated in Plains schools, and proudly worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942. He was an Army veteran of World War II and was a Purple Heart recipient. He was then employed at the VA Hospital until his retirement.

He was a member of the Parish Community of North East Wilkes-Barre, St. Andre Bessette Parish. Thomas played semi-professional baseball in the New Mexico Semi-Pro League and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie (Bilski) Kustrin, on Dec. 14, 2002; his brother, William Kustrin; sisters Marie Griffith and Elizabeth Roberts.

Surviving are his son, Joseph Kustrin, and his wife, Colleen, Lehman; daughter, Patricia DeAlba, and her husband, William, Plains; grandchildren, Daniel DeAlba; Cody, Kylie and Noah Kustrin; sister Margaret Alcorn, Cookville, Tennessee; several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Riverview Ridge and Commonwealth Hospice for their devoted care of Thomas.

Funeral will be held Tuesday at 9 a.m. from the Corcoran Funeral Home Inc., 20 S. Main St., Plains, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Andre Bessette Parish, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Interment with military honors will be held in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton section of Wyoming.

Friends may call today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.corcoranfuneralhome.com.