Wanda V. Wester

Wanda V. (Kalis) Wester, age 99, of Hemlock Dr., Tamaqua formerly of Lehighton, died Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Heritage Hill Senior Community, Weatherly.

Wanda Kalis was born on November 7, 2017 in Lansford. She was the fifth of ten children born to Aniela (Witek) and Albert Kalis who emigrated from Poland. She grew up on her parent’s farm in Andreas.

Wanda Married Albin Barnisky who died in 1942. She worked as a waitress at Valesek’s Hotel and Dinos Restaurant in Tamaqua where she met and married Earl Wester in 1947. Together they owned and operated the White Diner in South Tamaqua from 1952 until 1972.

Formerly from Tamaqua, Wanda and Earl also resided in New Ringgold, Ocala, Florida and Lehighton. Upon Earl’s passing in 1999, Wanda returned to Tamaqua.

She was predeceased by a son, Joseph Barnisky, in 2015.

Wanda is survived by children,

Albin Barnisky and his wife Linda of Tamaqua;

Michael Wester and his wife Carol of Tamaqua;

Daniel Wester and his wife Diana of Florida;

Earl Wester and his wife Diane of Vermont;

Julia Wester Kordesich of Glenshaw, PA.

She has 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, also numerous nieces and nephews.

Wanda is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Joann Barnisky of Tamaqua and a sister, Sabina Fata of Florida.

She was predeceased by siblings, Jean DeRosa, Marie Wojtkiewicz, Alma Doyle, Edward Kalis, Julius Kalis, Louis Kalis, Tallulah Sembach and Lester "Buddy" Kalis.

Wanda was Catholic by faith.

Private Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, PA.

Interment will be at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.

Memorial Contributions may be sent to St. Richard’s R.C.C. 799 Barnesville Dr., Barnesville, PA 18214.

Online Registry and Condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com .