Miriam M. Lavella, 92, Kersey

Miriam Marie Lavella, 92, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026 at Elk Haven Nursing Home.

She was born August 18, 1933 in Dagus Mines, daughter of the late Richard and Anna Kohout Kastner. She was a lifelong resident of the area, and a graduate of Kersey High School, Class of 1951. Miriam was employed at Stackpole Carbon for three years and then Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital Extended Care for fifteen years as a nurse’s aide.

On November 15, 1952 in the St. Boniface Church, Miriam married the late PVT. Victor A. Lavella, son of Victor Louis Lavella and Edith Angelo Lavella. He preceded her in death on February 11, 2002. Together they had five children: Brenda Luchini, of Kersey, Victoria Surra (Dan) of Kersey, Michael Lavella (Nora) of MO, Edward Lavella of Kersey, and Kenneth Lavella (Mary) of Chicora. Miriam was blessed with eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, who also survive.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Robert Luchini; sisters: Adelaide Gallagher, Helen Schmidt, Rosemary Viglione, and Irene Ohlin; and a brother, Richard “Bud” Kastner.

Miriam was a lifelong member of St. Boniface Church where she was a choir member and Eucharistic Minister. Her main hobby was art, which included painting with oil, pastels, watercolor, and charcoal…she loved all mediums. She was a member of the Fox Township Lioness Club and served in several offices over many years. As first lady, she traveled with and assisted her husband Victor, who was District Governor of Lions Club District 14J in 1995 and 1996, which covered six counties.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Miriam will be held in St. Boniface Church, 355 Main Street, Kersey, PA 15846 Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 10:00AM with Rev. Christopher Beran, Pastor, celebrating.

There will be no visitation.

Memorial donations, if desired may be made to her favorite charities: Fox Township Ambulance Service, 432 Main Street, Kersey, PA 15857, Fox Township Volunteer Fire Department, 381 Main Street, Kersey, PA 15846, or the Salvation Army, 615 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com