Stephen B. Lavelle, 74, of Dunmore, passed Friday evening at Geisinger, Wyoming Valley surrounded by his family after a brief illness. His wife of 53 years is Donna Marie Cardoni Lavelle. Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late James and Marie Robinson Lavelle. Stephen was a 1967 graduate of West Scranton High School and Lackawanna Jr. College and was a United States Navy Veteran serving in Vietnam aboard the USS Harnett County, LST 821. Steve was employed at RCA/Thomson Consumer Electronics until its closing where he served as a Union Steward for his fellow workers and later retired from Marywood University maintenance department. During retirement, he kept himself busy working at A & A Beverage.
Stephen is the presiding State Commander of the Department of Pennsylvania American Legion. He is a member of the American Legion for over 35 years and serving as Dunmore Victory Post 13 Commander for over 30 years. He took pride in serving his country, community and advocating for his fellow veterans. His Commander Project for the 2024 membership year is the PA American Legion Scholarship Fund that issues $1,000 per year Scholarship grant to College students of PA American Legion members that enroll and maintain good grades in a four year higher education program. Commander Lavelle currently raised a little over $72,000 for this fund from the generous support of Posts and individual members in the Pennsylvania American Legion. He is also a member of the Throop VFW.
He is survived by his wife Donna Marie, two daughters; Amy Belet and husband Timothy, Harmony, NJ, Lori Rought and husband Matthew, Dunmore, six grandchildren; Emelia, Jesse, Sophia Belet, Isabelle, Nicholas and Noah Rought, four sisters; Gail Black and husband Raymond, Lake Ariel, Jacqueline Baum, Scranton, Bonnie Rinaldi, Dunmore, Edith Lavelle, Scranton, one brother; Daniel Lavelle and wife Kathy, FL, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Stephen loved his family and was their biggest supporters. He loved going to sporting events to see his granddaughter cheer and grandsons play and even sitting through hours of ballet performances. He was a big supporter of the Boys Scouts and was so proud to see his grandson reach the rank of Life Scout and work toward his Eagle. His grandchildren were the light of his life who were proud to call him Grampy.
Viewing for family and friends will be on Thursday, June 20, 4 to 7 pm with Military Honors and a Blessing Service beginning at 7 pm in the Edward J. Chomko Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 262 Railroad Avenue, West Scranton. Interment will be on Monday at 12 noon in Cathedral Cemetery with Honors by the United States Navy and the Dickson City Veterans Honor Guard. Those wishing to attend the inurnment are asked to meet at Cathedral Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Steve’s name to: Commanders Scholarship Fund c/o PA American Legion, Department Headquarters 800 North Front Street, Wormleysburg, PA 17043.
