George Simon Petrishin

February 1, 2010

George Simon Petrishin, 74, a former businessman, an outdoorsman, an avid dog lover and lover of the DAWGS football team, formerly of Salem Boulevard, Berwick, passed away peacefully at Balanced Care, Bloomsburg, on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010. Born February 22, 1935, a son of the late Simon and Estella (Sickler) Petrishin, he was a graduate of Berwick Area Senior High School, class of 1953, and Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke, and a member of its Alumnae Association. He took courses with the Dale Carnegie Institute and the American Institute of Banking. He was a licensed real estate agent for many years. He was formerly employed at the Berwick Bank and was head teller at the Wyoming National Bank, Wilkes-Barre. George owned and operated the Petrishin Village Stores in Huntington Mills. He had a wonderful home-grown Produce Stand in Berwick. George held several memberships, which are as follows: First United Methodist Church, Shickshinny, chairman in 1963 for the Greater Berwick American National Red Cross Chapter, PA, Republican Committeeman for lower Luzerne County, 11th Congressional District, chairman of the American Red Cross of lower Luzerne County for the Agnes Flood, 1972, auditor for Salem Township, retiring in 2007, and co-founder of the monthly Food Pantry at his church, where he helped 1,800 families. George was a volunteer of volunteers all his life in helping many people. He was very active in his church as secretary-treasurer for years, a worship leader, a youth fellowship leader, a church choir member, and a fundraiser for the church's Annual Easter Egg Sales. George loved yard sales and people. His favorite saying was "Every day is beautiful." He was preceded in death by sisters Marguerite Baer, Marie Petrishin, and Geraldine Kile; a brother, Richard Petrishin. Surviving are his sister Barbara Henne and husband, Paul, Benton; nieces Jacqueline Woodward, Nancie Thompson, and Roberta Kile; nephews Robert Kile, Richard Kile, Douglas Baer and Jack Heckman Jr.; as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the First United Methodist Church, 6 E. Butler St., Shickshinny, with Pastor Terry Hughes officiating. Interment will follow in the Elan Memorial Park, Lime Ridge. Friends may call at the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Simon S. Russin Funeral Home, 136 Maffett St., Plains Township.