Edward D. Pruss

Edward D. Pruss, 72, of Lake Ariel, passed away on October 30, 2025. He was the son of the late Edward J. and Eleanor A. Pruss. Edward was a graduate of Scranton Central High School and Penn State University, where he earned a degree in Animal Science. He worked as a Penn State Extension educator in Wayne County for over 40 years overseeing the dairy programs, 4-H club dairy projects, and 4-H dairy camps in two counties, as well as dairy feeding programs.

He also contributed to the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, serving two separate terms as Jersey and Guernsey Superintendent and as a member of the Holstein Committee. Ed was active at many local fairs, judging everything from onions, potatoes, and poultry to beef and dairy, and he served on the Wayne County Fair Livestock Sale Committee.

Quiet, humble, and dedicated, Ed was a pillar of the agricultural community in Wayne County and beyond. He gave generously of his time to 4-H programs and was always willing to share his deep agricultural knowledge with anyone who sought his advice. His greatest gift was teaching and encouraging young people to grow their skills and confidence in agriculture, ensuring the next generation would carry on the values he held dear.

On his own multigenerational farm, Ed took great joy in growing potatoes, corn, and garlic and raising chickens and pigs. He was a beloved brother, uncle, and great-uncle whose wisdom, patience, generosity, and dry sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his sisters, Margaret Miller and husband John of York; Christina Salak and husband Donald of Waymart; and Mary Pruss of Lake Ariel; nephews and nieces, Robert Salak and wife Christine of Virginia; David Miller of York; Bernadine Salak of Matamoras; and Ellen Enslin and husband Jeff of Lake Ariel; great-nephew, Alexander Salak; and great-nieces, Elizabeth Salak, Rachel and Sarah Enslin.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 11:30am in St. Mary’s Church, St. Mary’s Church Road, Ledgedale by Rev. Stephen Bosomafi, pastor.

All attending the Mass are asked to go directly to the church.

Words of remembrance will be held Thursday morning at 11:15am in the church.

Friends may call Wednesday in the James Wilson Funeral Home 143 Gravity Rd. Lake Ariel from 4-7pm.

Interment, St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ledgedale.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ledgedale Volunteer Fire Department or the Nebzydoski-White Memorial Jr. Livestock Scholarship Fund in his honor, to continue his lifelong mission of supporting agricultural education.