Schuylkill County Obituaries for 12/14/16
Darren L. Miller, 46, Girardville, passed away peacefully Monday evening surrounded by his loving family at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born in Pottsville, he was a son of Arlene (Smeltz) Loftus, Girardville and the late Wayne Miller. He had been employed as the maintenance director at Broad Mountain Nursing and Rehab Center, Frackville for 19 years prior to his illness in 2006.
He was preceded in death by a brother Michael Miller, a grandfather John Swearhart; his paternal grandparents, Jacob and Isabella Miller; maternal grandparents Clarence Smeltz and Ethel Troutman.
In addition to his mother Arlene, Darren is survived by his wife of 18 years, Jessica (Graham) Miller, Girardville; 3 sons: Darren Miller Jr., Girardville, Nicholas Miller, Helfenstein and Justin Deane, Frackville; 2 daughters: Kaitlyn Miller, Girardville and Sara Anthony, Lavelle; his brother John Swearhart III, Eagle, ID; his sister Heather Rhode, Pottsville; his step-father William Loftus, Girardville; grandmother, Rosemary Swearhart, Mahanoy City; his godsons, Noah Rhode and Michael Soucheck Jr.; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
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Barbara was born in Shenandoah, PA on October 30, 1947, a daughter of the late Phyllis (Kacelowicz) and Theodore "Butch” Lachowicz.
Barb had graduated from Shenandoah Catholic class of 1964. She graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Masters in Communication.
She was a member of Divine Mercy Shenandoah, PA 17976.
She was a foster parent for SafeGuards for many years and also served as a case worker at Mentor.
When she retired, she greatly enjoyed traveling the world and taking care of her grandchildren. She was also an avid reader of science fiction and romance novels.
She was the wife of Robert Haloskie.
Barbara is survived by a daughter, Dr. Jessica Haloskie, wife of Brian Sinotte, of Marquette MI; a son, Jeremy, husband of Dr. Sara Iglio, of Albrightsville.
Barbara is also survived by a brother, Ted, husband of Cheryl, of Henderson NV, and by 2 Grandchildren, 2 nieces.
She is preceded in death by a brother John who died as an infant.
A Religious Service will be held at the Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Mahanoy City, at 11 AM on Saturday, December 17th, with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian officiating.
Friends may call Friday 6 to 8 PM and Saturday 9:30 AM at the Funeral Home.
Family prefers donations to Hillside SPCA in her memory.
Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book, send sympathy cards, or view Video Tribute.
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Born in Shenandoah she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Anna ( Dombrowsky ) Dugan. She had been employed as a secretary for Insurance companies in Washington, DC.
She was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish, Frackville and was a 1946 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Kenneth M. Wolfe and three sisters; Irene Murphy, Marian Polityka and Anne McGrath, her brother Anthony Dugan and her daughter-in-law Debbie Wolfe.
Gerri is survived by her two sons; Matthew and Mark Wolfe, both of Frackville, two grandchildren; Megan and Adam and two great-grandchildren; Noah and Gavin also by several nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Annunciation B.V,M, Catholic Church, Frackville, with Rev. Robert T. Finlan, pastor, as the celebrant. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. until time of mass. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers contributions, in Gerri’s name, to the Memorial Fund of St. Joseph’s Parish, 7 S. Broad Mountain Ave., Frackville, PA 17931.
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George Allen Bixler, age 64, of Hegins, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at his residence.
He was born on Wednesday, October 8, 1952, in Hubley Twp, a son of the late Bruce L Bixler and the late Alverta R Mace Bixler.
He was a 1970 graduate of Tri-Valley High School .
He was a was a self employed poultry farmer. In the past he had operated heavy equipment at several area strip mines.
He was a member of the Pa Farm Bureau and the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce.
George enjoyed farming with his son and spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Kathy L Blyler Bixler, to whom he was married for 38 years.
He is also survived by two daughters, Jennifer L Ruch and her husband Travis of Dalmatia, Lindsay K Dansavage and her husband Jason of Spring Glen; a son, Andrew R Bixler and his wife Mary of Sacramento; three granddaughters, Callie, Kayliah, and Paige; three grandsons, Blake, Reilly, and Tyler; a grand dog, Bo Bo; two brothers, Don E Bixler and Steven B Bixler both of Hegins; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, on Saturday, December 17, 2016, at 11:00 am, with Rev Donald Mason officiating.
A viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday at the funeral home.
Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania Division, P.O. Box 897, Hershey PA 17033.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.
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Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home, Ashland is in charge.
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