Coach Ronald R "Ron" Rhen, 80, of Village Rd., Orwigsburg, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 30, 2016.
Born on May 6, 1936 in North Manheim Twp., he was a son of the late Russell G. and Margaret I. Bowen Rhen.
He was a member of St. John's Reformed Church in Friedensburg where he served on consistory.
Ron was a 1954 graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School where he played football, basketball, baseball and ran track. He attended Moravian College on a football scholarship and graduated in 1958 with a degree in Business Administration/Accounting. While at Moravian, he played football, basketball and golf. He received his Masters Degree and Principal's Certificate from Lehigh University in 1978.
He served two years in the U.S. Army and upon returning home, was hired as a Social Studies teacher in the Pine Grove Area School District and assistant football coach. When the head coach resigned two weeks before the season started, Ron was named head coach. He coached football for 7 years attaining a school record at the time of 8-1 in 1964. In 1967, after the High School Girls Basketball Coach resigned, a student approached Coach Rhen in the hall at school and asked if he would be interested in becoming the coach. This was the beginning of a stellar 31 year coaching career at Pine Grove High School. It was at this time that girls' basketball became very competitive not only in Schuylkill County but the state of Pennsylvania. During his tenure, he attained a record of 675 wins and 170 losses, 5 Eastern Final Championships, 2 State Championships, out of 5 appearances (1982 and 1996), 8 Schuylkill League Championships and 12 District XI Championships in all three classifications (A, AA and AAA).
Coach Rhen was named Anthracite Region Girls' Coach of the Year 5 times and was inducted into the Southern Schuylkill County Allen-Rogowicz Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in October of 1987. He received national recognition in 1987 by Days Inn honoring women's basketball coaches with a minimum of 200 career wins and at this time he had 400 high school wins. He was also honored in Charlotte, N.C. in 1996 by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association for his 600 wins. His award was presented by Robin Roberts of ESPN.
As taken from his Testimonial in 2000, Coach Rhen will long be remembered for his dedication to the girls' basketball program and his earnest desire to teach, not only basketball skills, but also values that apply to everyday life.
In addition to teaching and coaching, Ron was also the Athletic Director at Pine Grove Area High School. He was a member of the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge 409 F & A.M., the AASR Northern Masonic Jurisdiction USA Harrisburg Consistory, Rajah Shriners International and the Pine Grove Historical Society, where he donated a lot of his memorabilia and it is displayed at the Hikes Home on N. Tulpehocken St. in Pine Grove. He loved to golf and was a PIAA basketball and football official for 35 years and an umpire.
Preceding him in death was a brother, Kenneth H. Rhen.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Joan C. Reed Rhen; two daughters, Rhonda J. and husband Richard Zimmerman and Renee J. Rhen, both of Royersford; a son, Rod R. and wife Andrea Rhen of Wilmington, DE; six grandchildren, Morgan R. Zimmerman, Erik R. Zimmerman, Lia R. Rhen, Rod R. Rhen, Jr., Ava A. Rhen and Janae E. Rhen.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. from St. John's Reformed Church, Friedensburg with Pastor Michael Smith officiating. There will be a viewing on Friday, January 6, 2017 from 4:00P.M.-7:00 P.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove and on Saturday, January 7 from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at the Church. Interment will follow in St. John's Reformed Cemetery, Friedensburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either the Pine Grove Area Educational Foundation P. O. Box 98 Pine Grove, PA 17963 or the American Cancer Society 101 W. Frack Street Frackville, PA 17931.
You may send condolences online to the family at our website www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Rose M. Miller-Smith, 75, of North Lehigh Street, Tamaqua, PA died on Saturday, December 31, 2016 in Orwigsburg, PA. She was the wife of Keith L. Smith to whom she was married for 22 years. A Tamaqua native born on April 7, 1941, Rose was the daughter of the late Samuel and Stella (nee Haldeman) Miller. A 1959 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she worked as a floor lady in the garment industry at several factories in the Tamaqua and Panther Valley areas and later worked at Air Products in the shipping department. After retiring, Rose worked part time at the Walmart store in Hometown, PA for 10 years. She was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua where she had formerly served as a council member. Rose was also a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the South Ward Fire Company, Tamaqua. Surviving with her husband, Keith are her brother Michael Miller and his wife Kathy of Tamaqua; nephew Michael Miller and his wife Sara of Pembroke, Massachusetts; niece Samantha Miller of Astoria, New York.; and her beloved cats "Sugar and "Nuggie". She was predeceased by a sister Joan "Susie" Miller in 1962. Services will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua with Vicar Cindy White officiating. Interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery, 500 West Broad Street, Tamaqua will follow. Call from 6-8 PM on Wednesday, January 11 and 10-11 AM on Thursday, January 12 at the funeral home. Memorials in Rose's name may be made to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 101 North Greenwood Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua, PA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Born in Pottsville, PA on September 25, 1969, he was the son of the Mary K. Schreffler, Mechanicsville, PA.
Jeff was a graduate of Nativity B.V.M. High School, Class of 1987 in Pottsville.
In addition to his Mother, Jeff is survived by his wife Erica Schreffler, Kentucky; daughter Marissa Schreffler, Pittston, PA; twin sons Bryce and Gavin Schreffler, Kentucky; daughter Laykn Schreffler, Kentucky; brother Robert Schreffler, Minersville, PA; sister Christine Galantuomo, Reading, PA; and nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, 208 Pike St., Port Carbon at 10:30AM on Wednesday, January 4th, with Msgr. William Glosser officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with the family Wednesday morning from 9-10:30AM at the Funeral Home.
Interment will be held in the St. Casimir's Cemetery Port Carbon, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Clare of Assisi Church Memorial Fund 250 East Hancock Street, Saint Clair, PA 17970.
Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
He was born on Friday, July 4, 1941, in Barry Twp, a son of the late Elmer Schweinhart and the late Clara L Mervine Schweinhart.
He was a 1959 graduate of Tri-Valley High School and a graduate of the former Ford Business School, Pottsville .
He was a self employed contractor.
He was a member of Christ's United Lutheran Church, Ashland.
He was a former organist at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Ashland and a former organist and choir director at Christ's United Lutheran Church, Ashland.
David was an avid Phillies fan, loved puzzles, woodworking, watching birds, and mostly spending time with his family.
His first wife, Patricia R Green Schweinhart, passed away in 1991. Preceding him in death in addition to his parents and his first wife were an infant sister, Grace Schweinhart.
He is survived by his wife Karen Y Brubaker Schweinhart, to whom he was married for 22 years.
He is also survived by two daughters, Heidi E Butler and her husband Daniel of Etters, and Heather E Schweinhart of Middletown; a step son, Eric C Minnich and his wife Valerie of Halifax; a step daughter, Jodi M Cooper and her husband Ryan of Ashland; six grandchildren, Nathan Butler, Koby Minnich, Jonathan Butler, Caden Minnich, Aurora Cooper, and Rylan Cooper.
Funeral services will be held at Christ's United Lutheran Church, Ashland, on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Dr. Kim Lengert and Rev. Jesse Benack officiating.
A viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Wednesday at the church.
Burial will be made in St. John's "Kimmel's" Cemetery, Ashland.
Memorial contributions can be made to Christ's United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road, Ashland PA 17921.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.