Fritz W. Bleese

Fritz W. Bleese, 73, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Tuesday morning at his home. Born in Wilkes-Barre on September 14, 1937, he was the son of the late Fritz and Margaret (Ibach) Bleese. He was a graduate of Meyers High School. Fritz was a veteran of the United States Army and achieved his Sharpshooter grade towards his Marksmanship Badge. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Prior to retiring, he was employed by Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. His beloved wife of 24 years, the former Sharyn Reese, passed away in 2004. They enjoyed traveling on cruises. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, Albert Bleese; nephew, Brian Romanowski. He is survived by mother-in-law, Joan Reese; brother-in-law, Gordon C. Reese II, Nanticoke; sister-in-law, Sally Swan and husband Jerry, Wilkes-Barre; niece, Louann Romanowski-Haydock, Wilkes-Barre; great nephew, Johnathan Haydock, Wilkes-Barre; nephew, Gordon C. Reese III, Colorado. Funeral Services will be held Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Kniffen O’Malley Funeral Home, Inc., 465 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Officiating will be the Reverend Carol E. Colemen of the Luzerne United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Hanover Green Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call Friday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 801 Roeder Rd. Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910.