First Posted: 4/6/2008

Joseph Bender and Nicole Saranchuk announce their engagement and approaching marriage.
Nicole is the daughter of Daniel J. Saranchuk of Moosic and Jenny Hughes of Avoca and the step-daughter of William Hughes of Avoca. She is the granddaughter of Daniel and Stella Saranchuk of Moosic and the late Arthur Wirhanawski of Old Forge and the late Alberta Howells of West Side. She is also the step-granddaughter of Thomas Howells of West Side.
The bride-to-be is a 2001 graduate of Riverside High School and a 2005 graduate of Penn State University, where she earned her Applied Science degree in Nursing. She is currently employed at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital as a registered nurse on the cardiac unit.
Joseph is the son of Theodore M. Bender of Pittston and Andrea Bender of Plains. He is the grandson of Catherine Bender and the late Theodore Bender of Pittston and the late Fred and Alfreda Overman of West Pittston.
The prospective groom is a 1997 graduate of Pittston Area High School and a 2000 graduate of Lackawanna College where he earned his ACT 120 Police Academy Certification. He is currently employed in Duryea Borough as a part-time police officer and Avoca Ambulance Association as a part-time EMT. He will be attending Wilkes-Barre General Hospital School of Radiography in the fall of this year.
The couple will exchange vows on June 6, 2008 at Holy Rosary Church in Duryea, with a reception to follow at the Montdale Country Club in Jermyn.
Following the wedding reception the couple plans to honeymoon in Hawaii.