David DeFine Obituary

David J. DeFine Sr., 81, of Laflin, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013, at the Kindred Hospital Wyoming Valley, Wilkes-Barre.

He was born Jan. 4, 1932, in Wilkes Barre, a son of Marie DeFine Brown. He was a graduate of Coughlin High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a paratrooper, accumulating a few hundred jumps.

Mr. DeFine was a graduate of King's College, class of 1964. He was employed as a sales representative for Abbott Laboratories in their hospital products division for 30 years, retiring in 1994. Following retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their sporting events.

During the 1970s, he was a member of the former Laflin School Board. Mr. DeFine was a member of St. Maria Goretti Parish, Laflin. He was an avid golfer and was a member of Wyoming Valley Country Club.

He was preceded in death by his son, Joseph DeFine; and brother Ted Brown.

Surviving are his wife, the former Florence Pokrifka, to whom he was married for 58 years; son, David DeFine Jr., Kingston; daughters, Sue Armento and her husband, Jim, Hanover Township, and Ann Gernhart and her husband, Vernon, Plains Township; grandchildren, Adrea DeFine, Derek DeFine, Adam DeFine, Kristen Corcoran, Bill Corcoran, Vernon Gernhart, David Gernhart, Joseph DeFine Jr., Nicole DeFine and Danielle DeFine; great-grandson, Derek DeFine Jr.; brother Art Brown, Forty Fort; sisters, Eileen Hatala, Old Forge, and Rosemary Fabrina, Wilkes-Barre; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at E. Blake Collins Funeral Home, 159 George Ave., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Maria Goretti Church. The Parish Bereavement Group will recite the rosary in the church 30 minutes prior to the Mass. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 712 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor, PA 18517.

Condolences can be sent to the family at www.eblakecollins.com.