Henry L. Sernak, Sr.

PROMINENT AREA FARMER PASSES AWAY

Henry L. Sernak, Sr., 83, a second generation dairy and produce farmer of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, where the family is presently operating under the third and fourth generation, passed away peacefully at the only home he had known – the family homestead on his 78-acre farm. At the time of his passing, he was being cared for by his family of eight children, their significant others, his grandson, Jeffrey, and his friend, Betty.

Henry was born the son of the late Stephen,and Ethel (Washko) Sernak, and raised on the family farm purchased by his father in 1921. Henry hated cleaning the mess from the cows, but he loved just about everything else about farming, especially riding the tractor. Up to the time of his death, he was passionate about farming asking his sons about the day’s events. When he wanted to get back on the tractor to cut the hay, even though he was ill, he told his daughter, “I just love it.”

When his father was no longer with us, he took over the family farm, with the help of his beloved wife, June, his 6 boys and twin girls. With the steadfast guidance of Henry, that modest family farm was turned into a thriving agricultural supplier of fresh vegetables to not only residents of the Quakake Valley but numerous grocery store chains and inner-city markets.

Besides his love of farming, those closest to Henry were acutely aware of his fondness for food, especially those grown on the farm. While in the hospital and having little appetite, when he discovered the sweet corn was in, he instructed his son to bring an ear to the hospital, telling him “Don’t bother cutting it off, I’ll eat it right from the cob.”

Henry was married to the late June Ann Adams for 42 years. He is survived by eight children, Stephen and his significant other, Jennie Lee Harris, of Anderson, South Carolina, William and his wife, Elena, of Weatherly, James and his wife, Anna Marie, of Souderton, John and his wife, Sherry, of Weatherly, Henry, Jr. of Weatherly, Jeffrey and his wife, Karen, of Weatherly, Attorney Susan Sernak-Martinelli and her husband, Frank Martinelli, of Drums, and Stephanie Sernak-Parrish and her husband, Mark Parrish, of Hazleton. In addition to his children, he is survived by 8 grandchildren, Bradley, Jeffrey, Ashley, Dillon, Ryan, Kaitlyn, Frankie Marie, and Alisa; one great-grandchild, Myriah. Henry is further survived by a brother, Cyril Sernak and his wife, Hermaine, of Maryland, and two sisters, Benedicta Talkowski, of Hazleton, and Mary Judson, of Hazleton, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by brothers, Paul, Edward, and Joseph Sernak; sister, Mrs. Veronica Leshko.

Henry was a member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Church of Hazleton. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday September 2, 2011 at 9:30 A.M. from SS. Cyril & Methodius R.C.C. 600 North Laurel Street, Hazleton, Pa.

Friends will be received Thursday evening from 5 to 9:00 P.M. from the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home 211 First Street Weatherly, Pa. 18255.

No Friday morning call hours.

Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.

Online registry and condolences my be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com