Elizabeth C. Cress

(Remembering Elizabeth Cress memorial video)

Elizabeth "Betty" Cress , 85, Girardville passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening at her home surrounded by her loving family after a short battle with lung cancer.

Born in Ashland, she was a daughter of the late Leo and Eva Heffner Banning.

Betty was a former secretary for the Girard Hose Co., the Girardville Knights of Columbus Auxiliary and was also a member of the Girardville Senior Citizens. She was an avid reader. Betty also enjoyed shooting darts, playing cards and bowling.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Joseph Cress Sr.; her three sons: John, James and Joseph Cress; a sister, Arlene Franco; a brother, Leo Banning; her beloved dog and companion Ginger.

Betty is survived by her loving children: Elizabeth and her husband Keith Johnston, David and his wife Ann Cress, Leo Cress, Daniel and his wife Mickey Cress, Kathy and her husband Steve Toth, Thomas and his wife Tish Cress, Brian and his wife Stephanie Cress, Robert and his wife Anne Cress, Ann and her husband Mike Soucheck; daughter-in-law Mary Catherine Cress; her sisters; Eva McHale and Gale Waite; sisters-in-law, Marie and her husband Jerry McCabe, Rosanne and her husband Ray Wayne; brothers-in-law, Chucky and his wife Marie Cress, Michael and his wife Bev Franco; 26 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday from the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville with Deacon Larry Lonergan. Friends are invited to her viewing at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be held in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Fountain Springs.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made, In Elizabeth's name, to the Ashland Public Library at 1229 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 or to the Hillside SPCA at PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901.

Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Girardville is in charge of the arrangements.