Schuylkill County Obituaries for 01/27/2018
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Chester J. Niedzwiecki, 74, Pine Grove, formerly of Orwigsburg, passed away Friday at his home.
Born in Shenandoah, he was a son of the late Chester S. and Sophie Cooper Niedzwiecki. He was employed as a worker’s compensation auditor for Aetna/Traveler’s Insurance until his retirement.
Chester was a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Frackville. He was an Army Veteran having served during the Viet Nam era.
He was a 1960 graduate of the former Frackville High School and went on to graduate from Ocean County College, NJ and Penn State University. He was a Boy Scout leader having served Cub Scout pack 124 and Boy Scout troop 655. He had been a coach and mentor for Deer Lake Baseball teams. He served as the president multiple times for the Keystone Insurance Premium Auditors Association, belonged to the National American Legion and the Orwigsburg Lions Club.
Chester enjoyed family vacations, model railroads, fishing and attending his grandchildren’s activities and spending time with them.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, John and Robert Niedzwiecki.
Chester is survived by his wife of 51 years, Doris A. Holland Niedzwiecki, Pine Grove; his son John Niedzwiecki and his wife Megan Streams, Nashville, TN; his daughter Dorothy, wife of Steven Sterner, Deer Lake; three sisters: Ann Jean, wife of George Shimko, Frackville, Mary Ann Miller, Morea and Barbara Schweitzer of Honesdale; his two grandchildren, Emily and Mason Sterner; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville with Rev. Petro Zvarych officiating. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions, in Chester’s name, be made to the memorial fund of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church at 243 S. Middle Street, Frackville, PA 17931.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information, please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Timothy M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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On January 26, 2018, Helen Baranowsky Kiefer, 91, passed away at home. She was born in Frackville on January 16, 1927, to Polish immigrant parents, Antonina and Walter Baranowsky. Her childhood was anything but ideal; it was downright difficult. The secret to surviving extreme poverty in her early years was her sense of humor. Helen told stories of growing up during the depression and World War II to her children and grandchildren, who listened with rapt attention. The story of her life is admirable and a life lesson to those who knew her.
Helen was the youngest of seven children born to Antonina Nielubowicz Baranowsky. Without the presence of a father, her uneducated and illiterate immigrant mother did her best to clothe and feed her family. Helen’s early years were spent picking huckleberries and coal to help support the family. She was the only one of her siblings to complete high school, graduating from West Mahanoy Township High School on June 6th, 1944 — the same day her future husband stormed the beaches of Normandy.
Despite her difficult upbringing, Helen had the innate ability to raise a good family and run a household. She was the original “Martha Stewart”: she had the talent to bake, wallpaper, paint, varnish hardwood floors, sew clothing and still have a hot meal on the table every evening for her family. She provided her children with a great example of what it means to be a wife and mother. Helen was a fabulous singer and could find a song for every word. A member of St. Joseph’s Parish, she sang in the church choir from her teenage years to the present, singing in St. Cecelia’s Choir, St. Ann’s Church and the St. Joseph’s Choir and Music Ministry.
Helen said her life began when she met and married the love of her life, Bernard “Bernie” Kiefer. They met in 1947 at Swades Restaurant in Frackville, not long after Bernie returned from the war. They were married for almost 63 years when Bernie passed away in 2012. Bernie and Helen loved dancing, especially the jitterbug. Together they raised four children: Bernard, Jim, Patti (Domalakes) and Caroline (Twardzik).
Coming from such a humble beginning, Helen had big dreams of the greater world and passed her love for travel and adventure to her children. Even when Bernie and Helen didn’t have “two nickels to rub together” they found a way to take their family to the Jersey Shore or see the sights of the country they loved. She taught her children what it meant to be a proud American. Love of God, family, country and travel rubbed off on her nine grandchildren: Alex (fiancé, Natallia Stelmak Schabner) and Katy Kiefer (husband, Cameron Myers); Meredith (husband, John Corrales), Annie (husband, Andrew Rall), Paul Luke and Madeline Domalakes; and Adam, Eric and Ryan Twardzik. She was very proud of them all.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Kiefer; her parents; and siblings Verna Matusick, Charlie Niel, Pete Niel, Frances Antalosky, Lenny Baran and Wally Baran. She was the last surviving member of her family. Also preceding her in death are many beloved sisters and brothers-in-law: Irene Baran, Steve Antalosky, Amy Niel, Jeanette Niel, Joan Fennelly, Helen Murphy Kiefer, Catherine Bugdanewicz, Catherine Kiefer, Peggy Fiorillo, Dorothy Baran, John Matusick and her godson, Joe Baran.
Surviving are her 4 children and their spouses: Bern and Sally Kiefer, Jim Kiefer, Patti and Paul Domalakes, Carol and Tim Twardzik; 9 grandchildren and 3 great
grandchildren: Eleanor Rall, Noel Corrales and Evelyn Kiefer; nieces and nephews; cousin Lorraine Stanton; Anna and Tosia Laska and Magda Kopala.
Thank you to the staff of Covenant Hospice for their compassion and care shown to our mother. Especially, Karen, Lisa, Meghan, Stefanie, Chris and Shirley.
To Rosie, Patricia, Kathy, Lynn, Darlene, Kiki, Liz, Debbie and Dr. Munir: thank you for being with us on this journey of life.
Donations in Helen’s name can be sent to the Frackville Museum, 42 S. Center St., Frackville; Frackville Beautification , 156 S. Centre Street, Frackville, or the Frackville Library, 56 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 at St. Ann’s Church, Frackville at 11 a.m. with Rev. Edmund Brennan as the celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Englewood, Frackville. Friends may call at the church on Friday morning from 9 a.m. until time of mass.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information, please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Timothy M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
Florence Lorraine (Isgate) Paulukonis, 91, a resident of the Shenandoah Senior Living Community passed away peacefully Thursday evening at the center with her family by her side.
Born in Shenandoah, December 5, 1926, she was a daughter of the late Edward and Catherine (Bender) Isgate.
She was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
Florence was of the Methodist faith.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, Jerome Paulukonis Sr., on Jan. 25, 2012, and one son, Robert E. Paulukonis, on April 5, 2016.
Surviving are two daughters, Lorraine Quintinsky and her husband, David, Barnesville, and Cathy Veach and her husband, Bob, Shenandoah; one son, Jerome Paulukonis and his wife, Betty, Mahanoy City; one brother, Edward Isgate and his wife, Carol, Mahanoy City; twelve grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Religious services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Pastor Jack Murray will officiate. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. A viewing will be held from 9 until 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah, is in charge of the arrangements.
Laverle B. (Rupert) Alinsky, 83, of Turkey Run, Shenandoah, passed away Thursday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Born in Turkey Run, Shenandoah, on February 3, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Elmer and Beatrice (Ganderton) Rupert.
Laverle was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
Prior to her retirement, she was employed as a proofreader at the former Shenandoah Evening Herald.
Laverle was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Mahanoy City. Prior to its closing, she was an active member of the former First United Methodist Church, Shenandoah. She was a choir member, pianist, Sunday school teacher and was also a member of the United Methodist Women of the church. She also was a devoted volunteer for the activities and events that were held through the years at the church.
Above all, her family was of most importance to her. She loved being with them and enjoyed their time together.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, George Alinsky, in 2000, and one brother, Elmer “Buddy” Rupert. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Surviving are her daughter, Lydia Pascavage and her husband, Mark, Winter Haven, Fla.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Religious services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Lay Pastor Julian Milewski will officiate. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held from 9 until 11 a.m. on Monday morning at the funeral home.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
On January 26, 2018, Helen Baranowsky Kiefer, 91, passed away at home. She was born in Frackville on January 16, 1927, to Polish immigrant parents, Antonina and Walter Baranowsky. Her childhood was anything but ideal; it was downright difficult. The secret to surviving extreme poverty in her early years was her sense of humor. Helen told stories of growing up during the depression and World War II to her children and grandchildren, who listened with rapt attention. The story of her life is admirable and a life lesson to those who knew her.
Helen was the youngest of seven children born to Antonina Nielubowicz Baranowsky. Without the presence of a father, her uneducated and illiterate immigrant mother did her best to clothe and feed her family. Helen’s early years were spent picking huckleberries and coal to help support the family. She was the only one of her siblings to complete high school, graduating from West Mahanoy Township High School on June 6th, 1944 — the same day her future husband stormed the beaches of Normandy.
Despite her difficult upbringing, Helen had the innate ability to raise a good family and run a household. She was the original “Martha Stewart”: she had the talent to bake, wallpaper, paint, varnish hardwood floors, sew clothing and still have a hot meal on the table every evening for her family. She provided her children with a great example of what it means to be a wife and mother. Helen was a fabulous singer and could find a song for every word. A member of St. Joseph’s Parish, she sang in the church choir from her teenage years to the present, singing in St. Cecelia’s Choir, St. Ann’s Church and the St. Joseph’s Choir and Music Ministry.
Helen said her life began when she met and married the love of her life, Bernard “Bernie” Kiefer. They met in 1947 at Swades Restaurant in Frackville, not long after Bernie returned from the war. They were married for almost 63 years when Bernie passed away in 2012. Bernie and Helen loved dancing, especially the jitterbug. Together they raised four children: Bernard, Jim, Patti (Domalakes) and Caroline (Twardzik).
Coming from such a humble beginning, Helen had big dreams of the greater world and passed her love for travel and adventure to her children. Even when Bernie and Helen didn’t have “two nickels to rub together” they found a way to take their family to the Jersey Shore or see the sights of the country they loved. She taught her children what it meant to be a proud American. Love of God, family, country and travel rubbed off on her nine grandchildren: Alex (fiancé, Natallia Stelmak Schabner) and Katy Kiefer (husband, Cameron Myers); Meredith (husband, John Corrales), Annie (husband, Andrew Rall), Paul Luke and Madeline Domalakes; and Adam, Eric and Ryan Twardzik. She was very proud of them all.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Kiefer; her parents; and siblings Verna Matusick, Charlie Niel, Pete Niel, Frances Antalosky, Lenny Baran and Wally Baran. She was the last surviving member of her family. Also preceding her in death are many beloved sisters and brothers-in-law: Irene Baran, Steve Antalosky, Amy Niel, Jeanette Niel, Joan Fennelly, Helen Murphy Kiefer, Catherine Bugdanewicz, Catherine Kiefer, Peggy Fiorillo, Dorothy Baran, John Matusick and her godson, Joe Baran.
Surviving are her 4 children and their spouses: Bern and Sally Kiefer, Jim Kiefer, Patti and Paul Domalakes, Carol and Tim Twardzik; 9 grandchildren and 3 great
grandchildren: Eleanor Rall, Noel Corrales and Evelyn Kiefer; nieces and nephews; cousin Lorraine Stanton; Anna and Tosia Laska and Magda Kopala.
Thank you to the staff of Covenant Hospice for their compassion and care shown to our mother. Especially, Karen, Lisa, Meghan, Stefanie, Chris and Shirley.
To Rosie, Patricia, Kathy, Lynn, Darlene, Kiki, Liz, Debbie and Dr. Munir: thank you for being with us on this journey of life.
Donations in Helen’s name can be sent to the Frackville Museum, 42 S. Center St., Frackville; Frackville Beautification , 156 S. Centre Street, Frackville, or the Frackville Library, 56 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 at St. Ann’s Church, Frackville at 11 a.m. with Rev. Edmund Brennan as the celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Englewood, Frackville. Friends may call at the church on Friday morning from 9 a.m. until time of mass.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information, please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Timothy M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Florence Lorraine (Isgate) Paulukonis, 91, a resident of the Shenandoah Senior Living Community passed away peacefully Thursday evening at the center with her family by her side.
Born in Shenandoah, December 5, 1926, she was a daughter of the late Edward and Catherine (Bender) Isgate.
She was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
Florence was of the Methodist faith.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, Jerome Paulukonis Sr., on Jan. 25, 2012, and one son, Robert E. Paulukonis, on April 5, 2016.
Surviving are two daughters, Lorraine Quintinsky and her husband, David, Barnesville, and Cathy Veach and her husband, Bob, Shenandoah; one son, Jerome Paulukonis and his wife, Betty, Mahanoy City; one brother, Edward Isgate and his wife, Carol, Mahanoy City; twelve grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Religious services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Pastor Jack Murray will officiate. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. A viewing will be held from 9 until 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah, is in charge of the arrangements.
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Laverle B. (Rupert) Alinsky, 83, of Turkey Run, Shenandoah, passed away Thursday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Born in Turkey Run, Shenandoah, on February 3, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Elmer and Beatrice (Ganderton) Rupert.
Laverle was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
Prior to her retirement, she was employed as a proofreader at the former Shenandoah Evening Herald.
Laverle was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Mahanoy City. Prior to its closing, she was an active member of the former First United Methodist Church, Shenandoah. She was a choir member, pianist, Sunday school teacher and was also a member of the United Methodist Women of the church. She also was a devoted volunteer for the activities and events that were held through the years at the church.
Above all, her family was of most importance to her. She loved being with them and enjoyed their time together.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, George Alinsky, in 2000, and one brother, Elmer “Buddy” Rupert. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Surviving are her daughter, Lydia Pascavage and her husband, Mark, Winter Haven, Fla.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Religious services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Lay Pastor Julian Milewski will officiate. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held from 9 until 11 a.m. on Monday morning at the funeral home.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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