Schuylkill County Obituaries for 02/06/2018
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Barbara Frances Byrne of Ringtown, 75, died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, at Grandview Nursing and Rehabilitation, Danville, where she had been a guest two weeks.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Paul P. Byrne, with whom she shared 42 years of work, travel, and the joy of extended family and many friends.
Born in Philadelphia, June 25, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Helen Guziewicz.
After graduation from Shenandoah Catholic High School, she worked in Washington, D.C., at the Crime and Records Department of the FBI. Returning to Shenandoah to care for her mother, she worked at the Merchants and other local banks. She was best known for her 34 years as a caseworker in Schuylkill County for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, from which she retired in 2002.
She and Paul worked side by side, taking meticulous care of their home in the Ringtown Valley. They hosted family for many a Sunday dinner, always starting at 11 a.m. sharp and with the phone off the hook, so there would be no intrusion on the conversation and laughter that was shared along with food so bountiful, no one left without a take-home platter.
They traveled extensively, with Las Vegas and its casinos a frequent destination, collecting souvenirs and friends along the way. In retirement, they helped care for family members, even as both faced up to health problems with their customary good humor.
Barbara was a member of St. Casimir Church, Shenandoah; also, the Shenandoah Polka Belles; Shenandoah Seniors; Amvets Post No. 7 Social Club, and Pennsylvania State Retired Employees.
She is survived by sister-in-law Margaret Devanney of Shenandoah, and brothers-in-law William Byrne of Girardville and Vincent Byrne of Mascoutah, Ill.; also, by devoted nieces who helped her remain in her home until her final weeks: Karen Donchak and husband Donald, Ringtown; Kathleen Milefski and husband Daniel, Ringtown; Kathleen Sachetti and husband Jim, Bloomsburg; and Maryanne Petrilla and husband Jack, Sugarloaf. Also surviving are many cousins, with whom she remained close despite distance and the passage of years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 10, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Casimir Church, 229 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah, with Msgr. Ronald C. Bocian, pastor, as the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Casimir Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. Friends may call at the church, beginning at 9 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, Barbara asked that Masses and prayers be said for her soul and that of her beloved husband, Paul.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Antionette M. Wojciechowsky, 96, of North Manheim Twp. passed away Saturday, February 3rd, at her residence.
Antionette was born in Palo Alto, on January 13, 1922, a daughter of the late Mary (Goglino) and Charles DeStefano.
She was the widow of Fred Wojciechowsky.
She was a graduate of St. Stephen's School, Port Carbon, class of 1939 and a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by brothers Andrew and Joseph DeStefano and a sister Grace Fehr.
Antionette is survived by sons Joseph husband of Beverly, with whom she resided and Anthony husband of Anne, all of Pottsville; seven grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven, at 10:30 am on Friday, February 9th, with Deacon Jack Quirk officiating.
A viewing for family and friends will be held Friday 9:30 am until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Family request donations to St. Ambrose Church Memorial Fund 201 Randel Street Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
Antionette was born in Palo Alto, on January 13, 1922, a daughter of the late Mary (Goglino) and Charles DeStefano.
She was the widow of Fred Wojciechowsky.
She was a graduate of St. Stephen's School, Port Carbon, class of 1939 and a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by brothers Andrew and Joseph DeStefano and a sister Grace Fehr.
Antionette is survived by sons Joseph husband of Beverly, with whom she resided and Anthony husband of Anne, all of Pottsville; seven grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven, at 10:30 am on Friday, February 9th, with Deacon Jack Quirk officiating.
A viewing for family and friends will be held Friday 9:30 am until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Family request donations to St. Ambrose Church Memorial Fund 201 Randel Street Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
Interment at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
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Frederick J. Montag, 68, of Pottsville passed away Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the Orwigsburg Center where he was a guest.
He was born in Pottsville on March 26, 1949 to the late Frederick W. “Flash” and Rita Catherine (Ash) Montag. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, Pottsville.
Fred was a 1967 graduate of Pottsville High School. He went on to serve his country in the United States Army. Fred worked as a custodian for Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 for 40 years before retiring.
He was a life member of American Hose Co. #2 and Schylkill County Fire Police Association. Fred was also a member of the Pottsville Fire Police Association.
In addition to his parents, Frederick is preceded in death by a brother, Edward L. Montag, who passed away April 2017.
He is survived by a brother, William J. Montag husband of Melody, Pottsville; two sisters, Theresa Dunmoyer, Palm Coast, FL; and Mary Burns wife of Paul, Pottsville, and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 10, at 10:30 am at St. John the Baptist Church, 913 Mahantongo St., Pottsville with Re. David Loeper, Off.
Family and friends are invited to call at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 W. Market St., Pottsville, on Friday, February 9, from 6:00 to 8:00pm.
Interment with military honors will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Pottsville.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. John the Baptist Church at 913 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA 17901 or American Hose Co. #2 at 323 W. Norwegian St. Pottsville, PA 17901.
Please visit www.schlitzerallenpugh.com to leave a condolence for the Montag family.
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Raymond A. Leffler, 99, of Deturksville Rd., Pine Grove, passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2018 in the Tremont Health & Rehab Center.
Born on August 6, 1918 in Pine Grove, he was the son of the late John and Gertrude Zimmerman Leffler.
He was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corp having served with the 573rd Bomb Squadron and 391st Bomb Group during WWII. He was involved in the Air Offensive in Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal w/ 6 Bronze Stars.
Raymond was a Miner and later worked at Guilford Mills, Pine Grove.
Raymond was a Miner and later worked at Guilford Mills, Pine Grove.
Preceding him in death was his wife, Violet A. Behney Leffler; two sisters, Lillie Stump and Pauline Dissinger; two brothers, Lester Leffler and John Leffler.
Surviving are two daughters, Terri and husband Carm Smith, Susan and husband Paul Conrad; a son, Tim and wife Kathy Leffler, all of Pine Grove; five grandchildren, Ryan Conrad, Andrew Conrad, Kaitlin Leffler, Devin Wright, Zachary Leffler; a great grandson Wesley Conrad; a sister Dorothy Behney of Pine Grove; nieces and nephews.
There will be a viewing on Friday, February 9, 2018 from 10:00 A.M until 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove. Graveside Services will be held at the convenience of the family at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
You may send condolences to the family at our website www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
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Margaret C (Eckert) Hollenbach, age 92, of Spruce St., Tamaqua, passed away Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at the Orwigsburg Center, Orwigsburg.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin E. Hollenbach on May 30, 2000.
Margaret was a Tamaqua High School graduate and member of Trinity U.C.C. of Tamaqua. She had previously worked at the former Jamesway in Tamaqua. Born in Coaldale on August 30, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Beatrice (Womer) Eckert.
Survived by her; daughters, Carol Teter wife of Dale of Ashland; Kay Hollenbach of Tamaqua; Sue Lesniak wife of David of Tamaqua; sister, Arlene Frey of Florida; Three Grandchildren; Three Great-Grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, William and Robert Eckert.
Private Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pa.
Interment will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua.
Memorials oto Trinity U.C.C.
22 Lafayette Street
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252
Online Registry and Condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.
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