Obituary of Mary R. Koval

Mary R. Rauscher Koval, 93, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully on November 8th at Allied Services Hospice, Wilkes-Barre, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Wilkes-Barre, a daughter of the late Frederick and Bertha Kaufmann Rauscher. Mary was a graduate of St. Nicholas High School, Class of 1948. She was employed by the Army Recruiting Agency and the Luzerne County Retarded Children’s Association. Mary was a devout Catholic and member of St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre, where she volunteered for many years at the flea market for the Church’s annual bazaar. Prior to its closing, she was an active member of St. Boniface Church in Wilkes-Barre. She was proud of her German heritage and in her younger years, she was a member of the Schuchplattler German Folk dancing group. Mary was also active with the Girl Scouts of America. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Thomas B. Koval on December 25, 1980. Mary was also preceded in death by her sister, Bertha Nat, and brothers, John, Frederick, Frank, and Monsignor Joseph Rauscher. Mary is survived by her children, Marie Koval Nardone and her husband, Bob, Paul Koval and his wife, Angela, Janice Metzger and her husband, Barry, Joseph Koval and his wife, Maureen, and Thomas Koval and his wife, Maria. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Robin Lahr and her husband, Bob, Holly Birster and her husband, Jimmy, Emily Branstetter and her husband, Wade, Alex Koval and his fiancée, Hannah Garutti, Rachel Giovannini and her husband, Teddy, Bridget Koval, Nikki Koval, Anthony Koval, Gregory Koval and his wife, Shannon O’Neill, and Jude Koval and his wife, Erika Zavada; great grandchildren, Brooke and Bailey Birster, Lilly and Sam Lahr, Everett Branstetter, Emilia Wren Giovannini in utero, Matthew, Madeline, William and Caroline Koval; sister, Theresa (Rauscher) Gawlas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary’s children would like to thank all of her doctors, who took such good care of her. They would like to thank all of the nurses and staff from the 6th floor at Geisinger Wyoming Valley, Allied Services Hospice, John Heinz Rehabilitation Center, Allied Services Home Health, and Griswold Home Care. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, November 12th from 4-7 pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 13th at 11:30 am from the Nat Gawlas Jordan Funeral Home, 89 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 12 noon in St. Nicholas Church, 226 S. Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Sisters of Christian Charity, Mallinckrodt Convent, 350 Bernardsville Road, Mendham, NJ 07945. Condolences may be sent by visiting Mary’s obituary and www.natandgawlas.com