Schuylkill County Obituaries for 11/08/2017
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Richard J. "Duke" Downey, age 76, of Temple, PA passed away Sunday, October 29th, 2017 at his home with his loving family by his side.
Born in Pottsville, PA on January 30, 1941, he was the son of the late Anthony and Barbara (Kleibenstein) Downey.
Richard was a graduate of Pottsville High School, Class of 1958. He served six years in the US Army Reserves during the Vietnam War in the Engineer Battalion having been honorably discharged on January 31, 1966.
Richard first worked for Evans Trucking in Schuylkill Haven and United Metal in Pottsville and then worked as an industrial electrician for over 35 years at the former NGK Metal in Reading. He was past Union President of the United Steelworkers Union, Local 2317, Shop Steward of the grievance committee, Vice President of negotiating committee, and past Treasurer.
Richard enjoyed spending time with people. He was such a wonderful spirit and could become instant friends with just about anyone and then would get to know every detail about their life. In his spare time, he loved to go to the Pottsville High School football games and also loved to watch Penn State and pro football every chance he had. Richard loved to listen to the oldies station and patriotic music, especially the marches, such as the Washington Post March. His favorite Tenor was Mario Lanza
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Jeanne Sloan Downey in July 2017, and two brothers: Robert Downey and his wife Ruth and Ronald Downey.
Duke is survived by his children: Valerie Downey, Doug Downey, Kristin Downey Strunk, Kurt Downey, Kathleen Downey, and Richard Downey; grandchildren: Emily Jiovanni Robles, Douglas Downey Jr., Jacqueline Downey, William Downey, Richard Downey, Christine Bright, Kurt Downey Jr., Heather Downey, and Austin Spitler; four great-grandchildren; step-children: Lisa and Tom Wrobel, Nicole and Robert Gottschall, Pamela and Robert Rathman, and Jon and Diane Sloan; step-grandchildren: Holly Monahan, Lorilee Roselewis, Vance Gottschall, Chelsey Sloan, and Alexandria Wrobel; brother Anthony and wife Rose, and sister-in-law Janice Downey; and nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home 208 Pike St., Port Carbon at 11AM on Friday, November 21st, with Linda Renninger officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday morning from 9:30-11AM at the Funeral Home.
Interment will be held private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or to the Miller Keystone Bloodbank.
Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com
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Margaret L. Snyder, 98, of East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA died on Monday, November 6, 2017 in Coaldale, PA.
She was the wife of the late Theodore L. Snyder who died in 1989.
Born in Mahanoy City, PA on September 21, 1919, Margaret was the daughter of the late George and Gertrude (nee Schmidt) Blackwell. She was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua.
Margaret is survived by sons, Ronald L. Snyder and his wife Arminda of Los Angeles, CA, Terry L. Snyder and his wife Darlene of Tamaqua, and Randy Snyder and his wife Joanne of Barnesville, PA; daughters, Caryle Boyer and her husband Donald of Wind Gap, PA and Peggy Brode of Tamaqua; 14 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; a great great grandchild; and several nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by son, Theodore Snyder; daughter, Lynn; 2 grandchildren; and brothers, George Blackwell, Frank Blackwell, and Norman Blackwell.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, November 10 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua with The Rev. Phyllis Wolford officiating. Interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery, 503 West Broad Street, Tamaqua will follow the services. Call from 9-11 AM on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials in Margaret's name may be made to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 Mauch Chunk Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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