Robert J. Hollenback

Robert J Hollenback, 85, of Carbondale, PA, formerly of New Milford, passed away Saturday, March 8th, 2025 at home. Born to the late Lovell and Florence (Keeler) Hollenback on April 5th, 1939. He was raised on farms in Newton Twp, and South Gibson, PA where he learned the value of hard work and family. He was his mother’s only son, his father’s youngest, being part of a blended family of 13 sibling. He was up early to work on the farm before going to school. He began working at the age of 14, carrying bundles of shingles to the top of a barn roof that his father was replacing and continued working well into his 70’s. His last job being at the Montdale Discount Store with his youngest daughter. He was a 1959 graduate of Mountain View School District. Upon graduation he went to work for a local business in South Gibson that lasted one week, when he walked away with $20 for the week. He then went to work at the Binghamton State Hospital with his father. Being young, he chose a different path and went to work for a few factories and then worked for Hallstead Supply Company for 13 years before moving to TX in 1979 to work in the oil fields. Upon returning to PA in 1982, he worked at various jobs including Crosley’s Sawmill and Adam’s Wholesalers before ending his full-time career at Maid-Rite Foods. At many times, he worked two jobs at a time to provide for his family, which taught his daughters a strong work ethic, as well. In June of 1968 he married MaryJean Haynes, with whom he was married for nearly 40 years and together they had 3 daughters. On February 16, 2009 he married Gladys Pigeon, of Taylor, PA, with whom he was married until her death in April, 2018. In retirement, he went to CA to visit his brother, he lived in CO with his oldest daughter for a time. He loved museums, antique farm machinery and driving through the mountains of eastern PA, going to the Zane Grey Museum multiple times. His oldest granddaughter took him to a farmer’s museum, which he loved. His favorite fair was Wyoming County where he would see all of the old farm machinery and could tell you about everything on display. His last great adventure was riding the bus a few days a week to the Carbondale Senior Center where he loved to play bingo and talk with people his own age. He made a few new friends who will miss him. He was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, MaryJean Hollenback in April of 2021; also by 5 brothers and 7 sisters. He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Janet and Doug Winnie of CO, Denise and Derwood Arnold of NY, and Bobbi and Stephen Frankovsky of PA, with whom he lived; five grandchildren, Kevin Winnie of CO, Michaela and Pat Bargher of NY, Nicholas Arnold of NY and Matthew and Rachel Frankovsky of PA, one step granddaughter, Ashley Arnold of PA; two great grandchildren; and three step great grandchildren; two sisters, Eloise Patterson of OH and Lydia Clouse of OH; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Lehigh Valley Medical Center-Dickson City for their excellent care of our father and grandfather and also Traditional Hospice for their care and comfort. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 14, 2025 at the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home, Inc., Hallstead, PA. Private inurnment will be held in Squires (Lathrop) Cemetery. Friends may call from 10-11 at the funeral home, prior to the service. Should friends so desire, please consider planting a tree in his memory at www.arborday.org.

Tributes

Robert J. Hollenback

April 5, 1939 - March 8, 2025