Dolores Ozark

Dolores Ozark, 78, of Avoca, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 27, 2026. She was born in Taylor on November 5, 1947, and was the beloved daughter of the late Robert and Esther Thomas Burnside.

A proud graduate of Northeast High School, Class of 1965, Dolores spent many years working in the local garment industry and in nursing care centers throughout the area. She retired in 2006 from Valley Crest Nursing Home, where she was employed as a dedicated and compassionate nurse’s aide.

Dolores found her greatest joy in spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Her kindness, love, and devotion to those she cared for will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Ozark, who passed away in October of 2006, and by her brother, Robert Burnside.

She is survived by her loving children: Ruth Jones and her husband Dave of Pittston Township; Esther Traver and her partner Dwayne Smith of Avoca; Cynthia Cohen and her husband Jason of Avoca; and Joseph Ozark Jr. and his wife Kristal of Tunkhannock. She is also survived by her eight cherished grandchildren, Nicole and her husband Tim, Amy and her partner Richie, Kayla, Eric, Ryan, Abby, Carmen, and Joseph III; her great-grandson, Paxton; her brother, James Burnside, and his wife Lourdes of Port Griffith; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held privately.

Arrangements are entrusted to Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc., 255 McAlpine Street, Duryea.

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