Marion “Jane” Okonieski

Marion “Jane” Okonieski, age 96, of Pond Hill, passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Allied Services Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre.

Born in Berwick on November 21, 1926, she was the last living child of the late Estella B. (Gensel) Rupp. She graduated from Nescopeck High School, class of 1944 and later earned a certificate in cosmetology from Empire Beauty School. She was the owner and proprietor of Jane’s Beauty Shop for over 30 years, retiring in 1999. She continued to work even after retirement. She was also a representative for TriChem Paints for several years.

Jane was a devout Christian who attended weekly bible study, read her bible from cover to cover 13 times, and was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Pond Hill. She enjoyed quilting, cross stitching, and sewing. She also painted a lot with her own TriChem paints. Jane was very proud of all the blue ribbons she won from taking different items to the Bloomsburg Fair.

In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Okonieski, in 2016; brother, Richard Rupp; and sister, Mildred Hughes.  

She will be greatly missed by her son, Ralph E. Okonieski and wife Deborah, Ohio; daughter, Mary S. Lewis, Wapwallopen; 6 grandchildren, Jennifer; Clifton; Sarah; Valerie; Brandon; and Lauren; 9 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at Heller Funeral Home, LLC, 633 E Third St, Nescopeck. Entombment will follow in Elan Memorial Park, Bloomsburg. Family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 285 Pond Hill Mountain Rd, Wapwallopen.

Online messages of comfort may be sent to condolences@HellerFuneralHomeLLC.com.