Leon Frank Salada

Leon F. Salada, age 92, 1121 Ridge Road, Bloomsburg (Lightstreet), died at 7:32 a. m. Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Signature Health Care of Bloomsburg in Scott Township where he resided since October 27, 2015.

Born in Shenandoah on January 7, 1924, he was a son of the late Victor and Cassie (Ruchys) Czulada. He resided in Bloomsburg and Lightstreet since 1956. He was a graduate of Cooper High School, Shenandoah in 1941.

Leon served with the Pennsylvania State Police for 36 years, retiring in 1985. During his career he was stationed in Dunmore, Towanda, Indiantown Gap, Bethlehem,  Erie and Hazleton. At the time of his retirement, he was in charge of the I-80 detail with 300 people under him. His rank when he retired was a lieutenant. One of the highlights of his career was the Benefield murder case in Centralia, which he was credited with solving.

He attended the First English Baptist Church, Bloomsburg and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Leon and his wife traveled all over the world following retirement, visiting five continents.

Leon served in World War II with the US Army Signal Corps, participating in the China-Burma campaign. He was a member of the Valley of Bloomsburg Post 273, American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Helene M. Baskeyfield, on January 30, 2016, severing a marriage of 64 years. He was the last of a family of eight children.

Surviving are his daughter, Gwen, wife of Luis Vargas, Ph.D., Pittsburgh; two grandsons: Dominic Vargas, and his wife Maggie and Daniel Vargas, all of Pittsburgh.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at 11:00 a. m.  in the First English Baptist Church, 700 Millville Road, Bloomsburg, with the Church pastor, Rev. Dr. L. Lee Barnhardt officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the combined VFW veterans group.

Interment will be made with State Police Honors in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 market Street, Bloomsburg.