Irene "Lil" Straka

Irene “Lil” Straka, 86, of Olyphant, died Friday evening at Lackawanna Health and Rehab. Her husband, Michael J., died in 1984. Born in Peckville, daughter of the late Andrew and Agnes March Bieszczad, she resided in Olyphant all of her life and was a graduate of Olyphant High School. She worked in the local garment industry as a seamstress and later was employed by the Regal Room, Olyphant.Lil was a member of Holy Cross Parish, formerly Holy Ghost Church and enjoyed traveling and horseback riding.The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to the staff at Lackawanna Heath & Rehab, D-Unit, for going out of their way to care for “Lil.”She is survived by two sons, Michael J. Straka, Anaheim, Calif.; and Fabian J. Straka, Olyphant; a daughter, Mary A. Straka and fiancé, John Wilk, South Abington Twp.; four grandchildren, Jacqueline Koerner and husband, Devin; Cassandra, Veronica and Rebecca Straka; four great grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Denise; nieces and nephews.She was also preceded in death by five brothers, Joseph, John, Michael, Bernie and Fabian Bieszczad; and two sisters, Genevieve and Mania Bieszczad.The funeral will be Tuesday at 9 a.m. from the Hudak-O’Shea Funeral Home, 115 Garfield Ave., Olyphant, with Mass at 9:30 in Holy Cross Parish at St. Patrick’s Church, 200 Delaware St., Olyphant. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family at Holy Ghost Cemetery, Blakely. Friends may call Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. Contributions may be made to the family to help defray the cost of funeral expenses. For directions or online condolences, visit www.hudak-osheafuneralhome.com.