Schuylkill County Obituaries for 03/16/2018
---------------------------------------------------------
William M. “Bill” Gaddes, 87, of Lake Hauto, PA and formerly of Apalachin, NY, died on Thursday, March 15, 2018 in Coaldale, PA.
He was the husband of Mildred R. Gaddes with whom he celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on February 12th. Born in Nesquehoning, PA on June 17, 1930, Bill was a son of the late Melvin Gaddes and Dorothy (nee Zeiser) Gaddes Latz.
A 1948 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Penn State and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Lehigh University. Bill was a program manager for IBM Federal Systems Divisions. At the beginning of his work career, he worked with NASA and the Gemini astronauts. Later he traveled the world through IBM, Lockheed Martin, and the government. Stationed in Japan, Bill served in the Air Force as a tail gunner on B-29s during the Korean War. He was presented the Korean Peace Medal by Senator Argall in November, 2017. Bill was very dedicated to the cause of supporting returning veterans by raising funds for the Wounded Warriors Project and helping acquire pets for wounded veterans’ therapy. He was the designer and architect for the Coaldale War Memorial. Bill was a member of the P.A. AmVets, Post #1, the McAdoo V.F.W, Post #6078, the Coaldale Lions Club, and First Congregational Church, Coaldale. A model ship builder, building 11 in 15 years, he also was an avid model train collector.
Surviving him are daughters, Sharlotte Ann West and her husband, Albert of Durham, NC and Margaret Elizabeth Hicks and her husband, William of Mebane, NC; grandchildren, William Adam West, Morgan Ann West, Edward Hicks, Jacob Hicks, Brenna Hicks, and Esteban Hicks; brother, David Gaddes of Harrisburg, PA; and several nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Anthony Latz who raised him as a son and sisters, Betty Hoffa and Jean Gangaware.
Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 20 in First Congregational Church, Ruddle Street, Coaldale with The Rev. Dr. Wayne E. Benack officiating. Interment in Sky View Memorial Park will follow the services. Call 6-8 PM on Monday, March19, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua and 10-10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 20 in the church.
Memorials in his name may be made to either the Wounded Warriors, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 or First Congregational Church, c/o Lois Richards, 46 E. Phillips St., Coaldale, PA 18218. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
Rosa Marie DiGirolamo, 87, of Allentown, PA and formerly of Lansford, PA and Tamaqua, PA, died on March 13, 2018 at her residence.
She was the wife of the late Henry J. DiGirolamo who died in 2008.
Born in Roio Piano, Italy on January 9, 1931, Rosa was a daughter of the late Egidio and Pasquarosa (nee Ciccozzi) Totani. A 1950 graduate of the former Lanford High School, she worked for various garment factories throughout the Tamaqua area eventually retiring from Tami Sportswear. Rosa was a member of The Parish of St. John XXIII, Tamaqua; the ILGWU; and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Italian Club. An avid NASCAR fan, she liked to travel. Rosa was proud of her vegetable garden and enjoyed working in it but she especially loved to spend time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by daughters, Lisa DeFelice and her husband Anthony of Hershey, PA and Diane Horowski and her husband David of Zionsville, PA; son, Joseph H. DiGirolamo and his wife Kathy of Allentown, PA; grandchildren, Joe DiGirolamo, Erik DiGirolamo, Neil Horowski, Jenna Sampley, Jared O’Connell, Michelle O’Connell, and Katarina DeFelice; great granddaughter, Kinsley DiGirolamo; sisters, Mary Totani of Hometown, PA and Dina Clewell of Lansford; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a sister, Nina Sforza and a brother, Lino Totani.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Monday, March 19, 2018 in St. John XXII Catholic Church, 266 West Broad Street, Tamaqua. Interment in St. Jerome Cemetery will follow mass. Call 5-7 PM, Sunday, March 18 and 8:30-9:30 AM, Monday, March 19 at the Zizlemann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua.
Memorials in Rosa’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association GPA, 57 North Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
---------------------------------------------------------
Lucille M. "Lou" Moyer, 91, of North Manheim Township, went home to the lord with her daughter, Kathy, by her side Thursday at home.
Born in Schuylkill Haven, June 18, 1926, she was a daughter of the late John and Catherine Gallagher Haas.
She was the widow of Sterling O. Moyer, who passed away in 1990.
Lou attended St. Ambrose and Schuylkill Haven schools.
She had worked as a seamstress for local textile factories.
She was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, where she participated in Rosary Guild and Women's Sodality.
Lou was also a member of the AMVETS Post 209 Ladies Auxiliary and the ILGWU.
In addition to her parents and husband, Lou was also preceded in death by her siblings, Joseph Haas, Phyllis Fox, John A. Haas, Patricia Rozanskas, Faye Verica, Rosemary Krater and Gerald Haas. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn Harvey and husband, Robert; granddaughter, Heather Berger and husband, Justin; great-grandchildren, Beau, Hannah, Sophia and Lilah; nieces and nephews; her best friend, Connie Lantry.
A viewing will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., 25 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven. Immediately following the viewing at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, with Monsignor Edward S. Zemanik. Interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Lou's name may be made to Women's Sodality of St. Ambrose, 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
---------------------------------------------------------
Kathryn J. Dzik, 88, formerly of Schuylkill Haven, died Wednesday at Seton Manor where she had been a guest.
Born July 20, 1929, in Orwigsburg, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Ann (Majkovich) Sell.
She was of the Catholic Faith and enjoyed reading and sewing.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Walter Dzik (November 1, 2013).
She is survived by stepsons John Dzik, SC; and Walter Dzik, MA. She is also survived by a step grandson, Michael.
Services will be private with interment in Arlington National Cemetery. Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home 515 West Market Street Pottsville PA 17901 has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit www.schlitzerallenpugh.com to leave a condolence for the Dzik family.
---------------------------------------------------------
Catherine Brooks Cooksey, age 96, passed away on March 15, 2018 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania at Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospital, East.
Catherine was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church, Union, S. C. for over 70 years where she served on the Altar Guild, was a member of the David Clyburn Sunday School Class, taught 5th Grade Sunday School class and a Junior Class for 3 years.
She was Chairman of the American Legion Auxiliary Selection Committee for Girl State for 25 years where she selected 4 girls each year to attend Girl State.
She was a graduate of Union High School and Cecil Business School.
Catherine worked at Arthur State Bank in the bookkeeping department; Aug W Smith Department Stores in the business office and sales and finished her career as an Area Manager for Field Enterprises.
Catherine was also very active in other civic organizations and was a member of the Lioness Club for many years; served as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts; was a Pink Lady at Wallace Thomson Hospital helping nurses and directing the public; a member of Order of Eastern Star and Clemson Extension Club.
She was an avid bridge player and she and her husband, Arthur, were instrumental in starting the Union Ball Room Dance Club.
She and her husband were world travelers and enjoyed bus trips her husband organized for group travel.
In her later life, she relished every minute spent with her family, especially her great grandchildren.
She was a beloved wife and mother and was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Arthur F. Cooksey, Sr. and her older son, Arthur F Cooksey, Jr. ; and 4 brothers and 4 sisters and was the last surviving member of her family.
Surviving are her son, James J. Cooksey, Sr. and his wife, Elizabeth Johnson Cooksey, Pottsville, Pa.; her grandchildren, James J. Cooksey, Jr. and his wife, Melinda H. Cooksey of Lilburn, Ga., John Andrew Cooksey, Pottsville, Pa and Arthur F. Cooksey, III, Charlotte, N. C. and three great grandchildren, Bonnie Elizabeth Cooksey, James J Cooksey, III and Emily Camille Cooksey, all of Lilburn, Ga.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 22nd, at 11 A.M. at Grace United Methodist Church, 201 S. Church St., Union, South Carolina 29379. A viewing will be held from 10 A.M until the time of service. Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., Pottsville, Pa and Holcombe Funeral Home, Inc., Union, S. C are in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com
---------------------------------------------------------
John J. Jones, 71, of Tower City, passed away Wednesday at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
Born in Harrisburg, August 23, 1946, a son of the late Emery and Pauline Miller Jones.
John was a graduate of Pine Grove High School, and Lebanon Valley College.
He was United States Army Veteran of the Vietnam War.
John retired as a Logistics Specialist with PA Army National Guard with the rank of CW5 at Ft. Indiantown Gap.
He was a member of Williamstown United Methodist Church and the Williamstown American Legion.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Emery
Surviving are his wife, Nancy Adams Jones; a daughter, Anastasia Jones, Kentucky; step-son, Jeffery Soliday (Lisa), Tower City; four grandchildren, Shalee (John) Forysthe, Shawn (Krissy) Soliday, Kentucky: Joshua and Josiah Soldiay, Tower City; Great granddaughters, Avonlea and Rosalie Forsythe Five sisters, Jennifer Sitcosky, Pine Grove; Mary Shuey, Jonestown; Joann Jones, Kutztown, Audrey Hain, Pine Grove and Kori Kemmerling, Lebanon, a sister-in-law, Lois Adams, Wayne, PA; many nieces and nephews.
Following John's wishes there will be no services. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Williamstown. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in his name should be made to the Williamstown United Methodist Church, 203 East Street, Williamstown PA 17098. Dimon Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements. To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
---------------------------------------------------------
