Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 02/19/2018


Schuylkill County Obituaries for 02/19/2018

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Warren Earl “Nick” Dunkle, age 75, of Cullman AL, formerly of Hegins, passed away Sunday at his residence.

He was born on April 1, 1942 in Hegins, a son of the late Earl Wayne Dunkle and the late Anna Gertrude Deiter Dunkle.

Nick was a 1960 graduate of Tri-Valley High School, and served in the US Army from 1963 to 1966; and retired as a correctional officer at the Camp Hill State Prison in 2008. Following his retirement he moved to Cullman AL.

He is survived by his beloved wife Lois K. Houser Dunkle; five children; eight grandchildren.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be held at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Valley View, at 10am on Saturday, February 24, 2018, with Rev. Brian Beisel officiating.

Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 153, Valley View PA 17983

Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.
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Michael A. “Wolfie” Pranscavage, 42, of Minersville, passed away on Sunday.

Born in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Victor and Mary Lou Nolan Pranscavage. He was a 1993 graduate of Minersville Area High School.

He is survived by a daughter, Taylor Pranscavage, Minersville; four siblings, Ronald Pranscavage, Minersville, Linda Kauffman (spouse, Claude), Saint Clair, Mary Ann Monderewicz (spouse, Keith), Minersville, and Victor Pranscavage, Minersville. He is also survived by a maternal aunt, Nancy Machita, Phoenix Park; a maternal uncle, James Dolan, Minersville; nieces and nephews.

Service arrangements are incomplete.
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Freeman Ralston, 84, of Minersville, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Sunday at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Muhlenberg.

Born in Avilton, Maryland, he was a son of the late Joseph Martunas and the late Pauline Garlitz Ralston Martunas. He was a 1952 graduate of Cass Township High School, and was a bricklayer before taking employment in the Quality Control Department of Dana Corporation.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Sunny Road and Gun Club, the Minersville Fish and Game Association (Big Hill), and the New Minersville Fire Company.

Freeman was an avid outdoorsman who liked spending time in the mountains, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, encouraging them to appreciate nature in the same way he did. But he also could be found at a card game with old friends, playing Texas Hold ‘Em or Gin Rummy.

He was preceded by his wife of 58 years, the former Patricia Pisco, in 2016; his brother, William Ralston.

Freeman is survived by five children, Juliann Kowalchick and her husband, John, Minersville, Martha Donaldson and her husband, Mike, Etna, Maine, Linda Ralston, Minersville, Barbara Ralston and her companion, Rob Feryo, Minersville, and Christopher Ralston and his companion, Carol Schaeffer, Minersville; seven grandchildren, John Kowalchick and his wife, Jessica, Janelle Kowalchick and her husband, Jeremy Koppenhaver, Jared Kowalchick and his wife,Jessica, Amanda Kochkodin and her husband, Chase, David Ralston and Ashlee Ralston. Also Jonathan Scherrer, whom Pat helped to raise; seven great-grandchildren, Ava and J.D. Kowalchick, Jemma and Jocelyn Kowalchick, Jett Koppenhaver, Scarlett and Leigha Kochkodin; nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call on Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. at Dutcavich Funeral Home 200 Sunbury Street Minersville. Those attending are encouraged to wear orange (in support of kidney cancer research) or camouflage. In lieu of flowers, Freeman's wishes were for everyone to spend more time with their loved ones, and to teach their children to appreciate the outdoors, including hunting and fishing. Contributions will be accepted to be used in accordance with the wishes of the family.
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Thomas Gilbert, 89, of Wiggans, Mahanoy City, passed away Monday, February 19th 2018.

Thomas was born in Ringtown, on September 22, 1928, a son of the late Daisy (Mummey) and Harry Gilbert.

He attended school in Ringtown while growing up, then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Thomas was a lifelong equipment operator in the construction industry, and he enjoyed hunting and was an avid out doorsman.

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, the former Marion Hillibush, in 2004.

The last member of his immediate family, he was preceded in death by many brothers and sisters in both the Gilbert and Lorah families.

He is survived by his two sons, Harry Gilbert and Scott Gilbert, both of Mahanoy City.


Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Rite of Christian Burial which will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, February 24th at the Christ Lutheran Church, Corner of Main Street and Mahanoy Avenue, Mahanoy City, with Rev. Fred Crawford officiating.

A viewing will be held at the at Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, 412 West Main Street, Ringtown, from 6 to 9 PM on Friday evening and again on Saturday from 9-10 AM at the church, prior to the service.

Thomas will be laid to rest at the Davis Chapel Cemetery, in Zion Grove, following the services.

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