Edmund W. Zigmund Sr. of Inkerman, formerly of Port Blanchard, passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Oct. 28, 1925, in Port Blanchard and attended Jenkins Township High School and Alliance College, Cambridge Springs.
Edmund was a life member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Pittston, and a devout and faithful Catholic.
Edmund enlisted in the Navy in 1943, where he served his country during World War II aboard the USS Willoughby. He held the rank of radioman second class and was responsible for handling communications with PT boat squadrons. Edmund's tour of duty lasted through 1946 and spanned the Philippines, Borneo, South China Sea and Christmas Island. He was awarded the Pacific Theater Ribbon with four stars, the American Theater Ribbon, the Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars.
Edmund was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for more than 40 years, where he worked as a transportation specialist. Following his retirement, he remained active and was employed on a part-time basis by Diversified Records Services, West Pittston, as a courier.
Edmund enjoyed polka music, dancing, swimming, exercising, games of chance, cryptograms, outings to Pocono Downs and Mohegan Sun, and crossword puzzles. He was a member of the North End Slovak Club and a member of the Disabled American Veterans. For many years, Edmund was the manager of Branch 06P for the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota). He was a fan of the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Most of all, he loved being with his family and taking care of his son, Leonard.
Edmund was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Soltis Zigmund, Port Blanchard. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Loretta, and infant son, Paul; brothers, Andrew, William and Jacob; and sisters, Rose, Helen, Marjorie and Ann.
Edmund is survived by his wife of 54 years, the former Irene Timek, Laflin; and their six children, attorney Edmund Zigmund and his wife, Donna, Fernandina Beach, Fla.; Leonard; attorney Robert Zigmund and his wife, attorney Lida KiaNoury, Philadelphia; Valerie Pierson, R.N., and her husband, John, Port Griffith; attorney Marilyn Zigmund Luke and her husband, Robert, Columbia, Md.; and Irene Kovaleski and her husband, David, Plains Township; two grandsons, Robert Michael Zigmund and Aiden Robert Luke; brother, John Zigmund, Nanticoke; brother-in-law, Edward Timek and his wife, Arlene, Inkerman; brother-in-law Sam Noto (Harrisburg); sisters-in-law, Mary Slesinski, Laflin; Rose Timek, Dallas; and Angela Yozwiak, Moosic; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at Baloga Funeral Home Inc., 1201 Main St., Port Griffith, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston, at 11 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Joseph Pisaneschi presiding.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.