Thomas Schwartz Sr.

Thomas Schwartz Sr., 65, of Timpson Street, Ashley, died Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at Hospice Care of the Visiting Nurse Association, Inpatient Unit, at Heritage House, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, on October 27, 1941, he was a son of the late Charles and Catherine (Rowles) Schwartz. He was a graduate of Ashley High School, Class of 1959.
Spending most of his life in Ashley, Mr. Schwartz served with the U.S. Navy as a 3rd Class Petty Officer during the Vietnam War aboard the destroyer USS John Paul Jones, Flagship for Com.Surf.Lant.
He was past commander of the American Legion Post 673, Ashley; AMVETS Post 59, Hanover Township; C.W.V. Post 274, Hanover Township. He was a member of Ashley Presbyterian Church.
Prior to his retirement in 2005, he was employed as a painter for W. W. Davis Inc., Wilkes-Barre, and the Local Painters Union 41, Wilkes-Barre.
He received the key to Wilkes-Barre City in 2001 for an act of heroism. He enjoyed sports, hunting, and swimming.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Barbara Chimko, who died in 2005; son, Gary Schwartz, in 1993.
He is survived by sons, Thomas Schwartz Jr., of Wilkes-Barre, and Sean Schwartz, of Sweet Valley; granddaughters, Alyssa Lynn, Brittany Lynn and Kaitlyn Elizabeth Schwartz; sisters, Catherine Grecco, of Hazleton, Janice Kasper, of Wilkes-Barre, and Beverly Bonick, of Ashley; brothers, Charles Schwartz, of California, Frank Schwartz, of Ashley, Dave Schwartz, of Wilkes-Barre Township, John Bonick, Paul Bonick and Joe Bonick, all of Wilkes-Barre; numerous nieces and nephews.
A military funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday from the George A. Strish Inc. Funeral Home, 105 N. Main St., Ashley, with the Rev. Rebecca Tanner, officiating. Internment will be held in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township. Family and friends may call on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.