Obituary of Julia Oakey

Julia R. Oakey, 94, of Tobyhanna, passed away on Thursday, October 9 at Pleasant Valley Manor in Hamilton Township. She was married in June 1954 to the late James H. Oakey. Well-known in the Fire Prevention field, he passed away in September 1979. She was the daughter of the late John and Anastasia (Kapcala) Puluka, who immigrated to this country from Czechoslovakia, formerly known as Austro-Hungary. The seventh child of eight, Julia was born in Tobyhanna, an area then referred to as Dam #3, now part of the Tobyhanna State Park. She graduated from the Coolbaugh Township School Class of 1932 and continued her studies at Bethlehem Business College in Bethlehem, Pa. Julia was a retired Civil Service worker. Her first employment was with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Mines in Harrisburg. When the old Tobyhanna Military Installation was activated during World War II, she returned to Tobyhanna to work until the facility was deactivated in July 1947. She then transferred to the Military Army Air Force Training Center in Middletown, where she worked until the completion of the present Tobyhanna Army Depot. She retired in July of 1972. Julia was a life-long member of St. Ann's Church in Tobyhanna. She was a member of many Fire Company's Lady Auxiliaries. Although she was no longer active, she maintained her memberships. She was also an honorary member of Chapter 1189 Retired and Active Federal Employees. She is survived by a sister, Theresa R. Puluka of Tobyhanna; step-daughter Nancy Kuranda and her husband Edward; four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; nieces and nephews including her care-givers, Merton T. Quick and his wife Patricia. She was preceded in death by six siblings. There will be a visitation on Monday, October 13 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann's Church in Tobyhanna. The Reverend Father Richard Ghezzi will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Ann's Cemetery in Tobyhanna. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Ann's Church, PO Box 188, Tobyhanna, Pa. 18466