William A. Tosline

COURTDALE-William A. Bangs Tosline, of Courtdale, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, passed away after fighting a lengthy illness Friday, October 8, at Birchwood Rehabilitation Center, Nanticoke. Born on October 3, 1923, he was a son of the late William J. and Anna Catherine O\'Donnell Tosline. Mr. Tosline graduated from St. Mary\'s High School and was a member of Albright United Methodist Church. Mr. Tosline had a distinguished career while serving in the 4th Marine Division during WWII in the Pacific Theater. He received a Bronze Star for heroism and a Purple Heart for wounds he received at Iwo Jima. Mr. Tosline also received the Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Metal, Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with four battle stars, and the American Theater and Victory ribbon. He also acquired his nickname Bangs in the service. After serving in the Marines, Mr. Tosline was a sergeant in the U.S. Special Police, where he was employed at the Veterans Building, Wilkes-Barre, and at Indiantown Gap. After retiring from the Special Police in 1985, he also worked at the Post Office, Wilkes-Barre, and was a member of the American Postal Workers Union. Mr. Tosline enjoyed traveling all over the world with his second wife, the late Mary Pascoe Tosline, who passed away in 2006. During the last few years of his life, Mr. Tosline traveled on military tours to visit the islands where he had served during the war. He will be greatly missed by his friends and everyone who knew him as Bangs. In addition to his parents and second wife, he was preceded in death by son, William Tosline Jr.; sisters, Roseann Casterline and Joan McKeown; and brothers, Joseph and James Tosline. Surviving are son, Paul Tosline and his wife and children, Mountain Top; sisters, Mary Tosline, Courtdale, PA; Carmelita Zarola and husband, Dominic, Ann Marie Dietrick and Connie Plewniak, all of Wilkes-Barre; brother, Leo Tosline and wife, Rose Mary, Glenolden; and several nieces and nephews. Services are private and being entrusted to Kniffen OMalley Funeral Home, Inc. Interment will also be private at Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to the Marine Corps League or any veterans association.