Two Panther Valley educators who died in October were remembered Sunday night as “true role models to all their students.”

A memorial service was held at the Intermediate School for Joseph Francis Sweeney, a teacher at Panther Valley High School for 18 years, and Robert E. Krzywicki, who came to Panther Valley in 1985 after more than a decade teaching in Nanticoke.

Speakers talked about the late teachers’ contributions to education in the Panther Valley. Short stories written by students about the two teachers were read and musical selections were played.

A lantern release and a memory walk around the parking area past luminaries that were decorated by students concluded the night.

Lisa Mace, principal of the intermediate school, in describing how both teachers were role models, said, “They made contributions to their community, served their country, loved their family beyond measure and enjoyed the most rewarding occupations of being a teacher.”

Krzywicki, 69, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away on Oct. 16 in the Geisinger ICU, Wilkes-Barre. Representing his family at the service was a daughter, Carolyn Bugdonovitch.

Sweeney, 56, of Summit Hill, passed away on Oct. 21 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Allentown Campus. His family was represented at the service by a daughter, Devan Zimmerman.

Mace said the event was organized by a team of administrators and teachers in the school district.

Dr. Steven Christ, band director of the Panther Valley Junior Senior High School Band, opened the service with the singing of the national anthem.

Julie Gower, a sixth grade teacher, gave reflections on the life of Krzywicki. She recalled how Krzywicki read stories to students and often imitated the characters in them by using “silly” voices as a means of keeping the children’s attention. He also taught the students the backgrounds of the stories.

Gower said that “teaching was his first priority.”

High school Principal Patti Ebbert signed as “On Eagles Wings” played.

Barb Hadnagy, a fourth grade Social Studies teacher, remembered Sweeney as a dedicated educator, who coached various sports during his career and at one time even served as a ski instructor. She said Sweeney enjoyed life, and “he could rock a kilt on St. Patrick’s Day.”

After Hadnagy’s talk, the fourth grade chorus sang the selection “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Teachers Toni Gerhart, Jennifer Squillace-Miller, Joseph Ogozalek and Robert Thomas read the memories that students wrote about the two teachers.

Zimmerman said of the service, “It truly honored both men and how much of an impact they made on the students and community.”

Mace said, “We will continue to honor these men by participating in the Toys for Tots Drive in the beginning of December and a book drive in January during the district’s Scholastic Book Fair.”