05/13/2026
Were sad to share the news that one of our long time Fire members Joe Stark has passed. We want to send out our condolences to his family and friends. Thank you for your years of service and dedication to the FWM community.
Joseph Williams Stark, 79, of Mehoopany, passed away on May 11, 2026, at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore. He was born in Scranton on October 9, 1946, and was the son of the late Erwin and Annie Stark.
He graduated from Tunkhannock Area High School in 1965 and enlisted in the United States Army, serving four years, including one year in Vietnam. He also served in the National Guard for more than 20 years. Joe was employed by Proctor and Gamble as a plant technician. Joe loved fishing, hunting, and the outdoors, and he was an avid sports fan who followed the Eagles and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Penguins. He also enjoyed family dinners and camping. He was a member of the Mehoopany F.W. Fire Company and the Black Walnut American Legion.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Darlene Stark, in 2000; his brother, Paul Stark; and his sons-in-law, James Re*****on and John Taffe.
In addition to his wife, Jeanne Stark, he is survived by his children: Kathleen Re*****on of North Branch; Heather Taffe of Dushore; Peter Lybolt of Mehoopany; Eric Lybolt (Sarah) of Tunkhannock; Amy Ryan (husband Michael) of Black Walnut; Alisha Bolyard of Tunkhannock; and Dan Hanyon of Mehoopany. He is also survived by his brother, Jay Stark (wife Erma) of Tunkhannock; his sister-in-law, Erma L. Stark of Shavertown; Georgette Smith and her significant other, Bill Hope, of North Branch; and his brother-in-law, David Smith (wife Lynn) of Jenningsville. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 18th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Harding-Litwin Funeral Home, 123 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. A viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Military honors will be accorded at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Vaughn Cemetery, Mehoopany. For online condolences or directions, visit www.aplitwinfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the EDN, 627 SR 4010, Mehoopany, PA 18629, and the FWM Volunteer Fire Company, 4789 PA-87, Mehoopany, PA 18629.
