Silvestras Frederick Obelenus

Sylvester "Sonny" Obelenus, 96, of Elkdale, Clifford Twp., died Tuesday at the Forest City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was married to Ann Marie Budwell, who died in 1973.

Born and raised in Forest City, son of the late Sylvester and Adelean Oberofski Obelenus, he was a graduate of Forest City High School's class of 1935. Sonny had a deep appreciation for the Forest City area and its people. He enjoyed telling stories about the past and would often reminisce about the area's history. He was proud of his Lithuanian heritage. He owned and operated a dairy farm near Elkdale, where he resided for 70 years.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Forest City Nursing Home and Traditional Home Health and Hospice for the kind and compassionate care given to Sonny.

Surviving are a son, Sylvester "Butch" Obelenus and wife, Ruthy, Elkdale; three daughters, Vicky Obelenus, Elkdale; Carol Pettinato and husband, James, Clifford; and JoAnne Ciuccio and husband, Louis, Old Forge; eight grandchildren, Susan Loomis, Sharon Holland, Scott Obelenus, Anthony Obelenus, Jamie and Brandy Pettinato, Louis and Joseph Ciuccio; six great-grandchildren, Marissa, Ashley and Carrie Loomis, Megan and Bryan Boyko, and Julianna Ciuccio; two great-great-grandchildren, Christina Denny and Lee Loomis; two stepgreat-granddaughters, Jessica and Amanda Dombroski; three stepgreat-great-grandchildren, Cheyenne, Peyton and Jase; nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by three brothers, John, George and Edward Obelenus; and two sisters, Anna Novick and Amelia Bagdonis.

The funeral service will be Friday at 11 a.m. in the Jones & Brennan Funeral Home, 430 Main St., Forest City. Interment, St. Anthony's Cemetery, Forest City.

Relatives and friends may call today, 5 to 7 p.m.

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