Obituary of Frances J. Gerken

Frances J. Gerken, 90, of Bethany Village died Friday morning, April 24, 2015 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, the late George S. Gerken. Born September 19, 1924 in Holley, New York, she was the daughter of the late Walter A. and Laura M. Wilson Lind. Following graduation from high school, Frances worked as a secretary in Rochester, NY. She married George upon his return home from service in the U.S. 9th Air Force stationed in northern England where he completed 69 bombing missions over Europe. Frances and George settled in Baldwin, Long Island, NY where they raised their family. Later, they moved to Chappaqua, NY and eventually retired in Ocala, FL where Frances lived for 25 years; she was a member of the Countryside Presbyterian Church in Ocala. Since 2012, Frances has been a resident at Bethany Village. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, and working with a variety of crafts. She is survived by a daughter: Pamela J. DeMan and her husband Robert of Narrowsburg, New York; seven grandchildren: Michael DeMan and his wife Dawn of Holly Springs, NC, Steven DeMan and his wife Katja of Pottstown, PA, Jennifer DeMan of Lansdale, PA, John DeMan and his wife Bethany of Congers, NY, Stacy Hagan of Wake Forest, NC, Richard DeMan of Nyack, NY, and Robert DeMan and his wife Debbie of Tomball, TX; and nine great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a daughter: Laurie Gerken; and a sister: Mildred Krolick. Following cremation, memorial services will be held later this spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Frances' memory to Family Focus Adoption Services at www.familyfocusadoption.org Arrangements are attended by the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home 1228 North Main Street, Honesdale, PA 18431.