Schuylkill County Obituaries for 12/17/18
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Long time South Ward resident Geraldine "Jean" S. Woodward, 95 of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2018, at Weatherwood Nurisng & Rehabilitation Ctr. in Weatherly, Pennsylvania.
Born Saturday, April 7, 1923 in Saint Clair, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Robert Butler and the late Catharine Edminston Butler. She was the wife of the late Russell Woodward.
Surviving are sons, Russell L. "Butch" Woodward of Lansford, and Donald G. Woodward and his wife, Marlene of Lehighton; sister, Beverly Haus of Harrisburg; grand children Lori, Russell, Janet and Steven; 5 great grand children and 2 great great grandchildren.
She was also predeceased by sisters, Peggy Cookson and Gertrude Freeman.
Jean was an active member of Trinity U.C.C., Tamaqua, where she frequently assisted in the church kitchen. Many will remember Jean's smiling face from her many years as a cafeteria worker at Tamaqua Area Junior High School.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, 18252. (570) - 668-2550.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. from Trinity U.C.C., 22 Lafayette Street, Tamaqua, PA. Friends may call at the church on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Interment will be at Sky - View Memorial Park, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Memorial contributions in her name can be made to the church.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, 18252. (570) - 668-2550.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. from Trinity U.C.C., 22 Lafayette Street, Tamaqua, PA. Friends may call at the church on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Interment will be at Sky - View Memorial Park, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Memorial contributions in her name can be made to the church.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Rev. Donald John Stump, Sr., Pastor Emeritus of Salem United Church of Christ of Weatherly and St. Matthew's U.C.C. of Quakake, Pennsylvania passed away on Friday, December 14, 2018, at home while in the loving care of his family at the age of 86.
Preceded in death on March 27, 2018 by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Marilyn A. (Weisenfluh) Stump he is survived by: daughters, Donnell J. Stump and her companion Dennis Graham of Weatherly, Diane J. Polchin wife of James of Weatherly, Debra J. Dougherty wife of Thomas of Hazle Twp.; son, Donald J. Stump and his wife Pamela of Weatherly; grandchildren, Christina Brasavage wife of Matthew, Audrey Graham, Kathleen Graham, Heather Polchin, Jessica Polchin, Alyssa Dougherty, Erica Dougherty; sister, Marlyn Maddock of Clark Summit; many nieces and nephews also survive Pastor Stump.
A graduate of West Scranton High School class of 1950, Donald served honorably in the United States Air Force for four years. He entered East Stroudsburg State Teachers College in January of 1955 and graduated in 1958 with a B.S. Degree in Education. Donald matriculated to Lancaster Theological Seminary, in 1957, graduating from the seminary in 1961. Assigned to Southeast Ohio Synod, he was pastor of three churches in Lewisville Ohio. In 1966, Pastor Stump was called to the Weatherly charge, Salem U.C.C., St. Matthew's U.C.C. and St. John's U.C.C., Rockport, where he pastored to the church and community for forty plus years.
Pastor Stump served on the Bethany Children's Home Board of Directors in Womelsdorf, was Past President of the Weatherly Community Chest, was a former Weatherly School Board member and performed chaplain duties for the Weatherly American Legion and Citizens Fire Company #1. A Founding Member of the Weatherly Senior Citizens Friendship Club, the Greater Weatherly Ambulance Association and Weatherly Homecoming Association, he was Co-Chair of the Weatherly 125th Anniversary Committee. Elected by the Penn Northeast Conference to the United Church of Christ Board for World Ministries, he also served as a UCC General Synod Delegate. In 2002, Pastor Stump was the Recipient of the Carbon County Friends of Education Award and he was named a Mauch Chunk Trust Company Community Hero in 2008.Pastor Stump was a member of the Acacia Lodge #579 F&A.M of Taylor, Pa., and member of the Weatherly Rotary. He also belonged to the Swiss Lodge of Taylor.
Born Friday, July 22, 1932 in Taylor Pennsylvania the son of the late J. Howard, and Ruth (Evans) Stump. He was also predeceased by sisters, Nancy Kalinowski, and Lois Davis.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services 211 First Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255. (570) 427-4231
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 11 o'clock A.M. from Salem U.C.C. 330 First Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania.
Friends may call in church on Friday, December 21, 2018 from 4 to 7:00 P.M.
Private interment Union Cemetery Weatherly, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to
Salem U.C.C.
330 First Street
Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255
or
Citizens Fire Co. #1
107 Spring Street
Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255
or
Weatherly Hillclimb Association
730 North Street
Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
Edward W. Reifsnyder, 71, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Saturday at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Edward was born in Cressona, Dec. 16, 1946, a son of the late Helen Reber Reifsnyder and Edward William Reifsnyder Sr.
He was the husband of Judith A. Hughes Reifsnyder. They would have celebrated 50 years of marriage on Dec. 28, 2018.
He was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School and served in the Navy.
He was a member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Ed loved his church, the Lord and his family. He taught high school Sunday school for many years, as well as Bible school. The kids loved him, and he loved the kids. He was a midget football coach for 15 years.
Ed was formerly employed by Dana until closing and then worked at Shalmet.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Reifsnyder; daughter-in-law, Amanda Reifsnyder.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Christopher Reifsnyder, Schuylkill Haven, Jennifer Koch, wife of Darrell, Orwigsburg and Michael Reifsnyder, husband of Denise; daughter-in-law, Jessica Reifsnyder, Schuylkill Haven; grandchildren, Dillon, Elaina, Connor, Brady, Zoie, Parker and Colton; brother, Jimmy Joe, Minersville; nieces, Jodi and Kim; nephew, Shawn; great-nieces, Sarah, Jenna and Eve; great-nephew, Jake; sister-in-law, Donna Potts, Schuylkill Haven; best friend and four-legged companion, Lily.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Schuylkill Haven, with the Rev. Ted Rathman officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held at 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. The family requests donations to Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, 15 Earl Stoyer Drive, PA 17972 or Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Cecilia V. (Haley) Hock, R.N., 98, of Pottsville passed away Friday, December 14, 2018 at Luther Ridge at Seiders Hill, Pottsville.
Born in Pottsville, on September 2, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Jacob J. and Cecilia (Wolf) Haley.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
Cecilia graduated from Sacred Heart Allentown School of Nursing, where she attained her Registered Nursing Degree. She proudly served her country during WWII, serving in the United States Army. She achieved her highest rank as Second Lieutenant. She retired from the Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville. She loved spending time taking care of her family.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Robert P. Hock, sisters Mary Painter and Dolores Bachman, and brother Thomas Haley.
She is survived by her sons Robert Hock husband of Joann, Pottsville; David Hock husband of Betty, Pottsville; daughters Ann Marie Jefferson wife of Richard Millet, Pottsville; Theresa “Terry” Elison, Center Valley. She is also survived by seven grandchildren Janelle Jefferson, Tara Steiner, Brian Elison, William Hock, Jacqueline Strohl, Jennifer Correll, and Sean Reeves; twelve great grandchildren; brother Leo Haley, and sister Regina Haley.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:30PM on Friday, December 21, 2018 at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 913 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Rev. David Loeper officiating. Family and Friends may call from 12PM until 1PM at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 W. Market St., Pottsville. Interment with military honors will be held in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Pottsville.
Please visit SchlitzerAllenPugh.com to leave a condolence for the Hock family.
Lamar T. Gehres, 73, of Georgia, formerly of Tremont, passed away Monday, December 10th.
Born in Donaldson, March 29, 1945, a son of the late Earl J. and Verna Shadle Gehres.
Lamar attended Tremont High School, later earning his GED. He was an accomplished Brick Layer / Mason for many years.
He entered in the law enforcement career studying Criminal Justice at Harrisburg Area Community College and graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 1978.
His career in law enforcement spanned over twenty eight years, first serving as a patrolman and later as Chief of Police for the Tremont Borough. Following retirement from the Tremont Borough, Lamar served as a Sergeant at the Schuylkill County Prison for ten years.
Lamar was of the Protestant faith. He belonged to numerous organizations while residing in Tremont.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Tammy Renninger; two grandchildren, Jessica and David Renninger; step-sisters and step-brothers.
Surviving are his wife, Sharon Morgan Gehres; one son, Timothy Gehres (Pamela), Pine Grove; two step-sons, Michael Long (Lisa), Georgia and Steve Long (Trisha), Tennessee; one brothers, Robert Gehres, Donaldson; one sister Sandra Kimmel (Karl), Tremont; step-brother, Clyde Ney (Janice), Hegins; grandsons, granddaughters, one great granddaughter; nieces and nephews.
Following Lamar's wishes there will be no services.
Rev. Donald John Stump, Sr., Pastor Emeritus of Salem United Church of Christ of Weatherly and St. Matthew's U.C.C. of Quakake, Pennsylvania passed away on Friday, December 14, 2018, at home while in the loving care of his family at the age of 86.
Preceded in death on March 27, 2018 by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Marilyn A. (Weisenfluh) Stump he is survived by: daughters, Donnell J. Stump and her companion Dennis Graham of Weatherly, Diane J. Polchin wife of James of Weatherly, Debra J. Dougherty wife of Thomas of Hazle Twp.; son, Donald J. Stump and his wife Pamela of Weatherly; grandchildren, Christina Brasavage wife of Matthew, Audrey Graham, Kathleen Graham, Heather Polchin, Jessica Polchin, Alyssa Dougherty, Erica Dougherty; sister, Marlyn Maddock of Clark Summit; many nieces and nephews also survive Pastor Stump.
A graduate of West Scranton High School class of 1950, Donald served honorably in the United States Air Force for four years. He entered East Stroudsburg State Teachers College in January of 1955 and graduated in 1958 with a B.S. Degree in Education. Donald matriculated to Lancaster Theological Seminary, in 1957, graduating from the seminary in 1961. Assigned to Southeast Ohio Synod, he was pastor of three churches in Lewisville Ohio. In 1966, Pastor Stump was called to the Weatherly charge, Salem U.C.C., St. Matthew's U.C.C. and St. John's U.C.C., Rockport, where he pastored to the church and community for forty plus years.
Pastor Stump served on the Bethany Children's Home Board of Directors in Womelsdorf, was Past President of the Weatherly Community Chest, was a former Weatherly School Board member and performed chaplain duties for the Weatherly American Legion and Citizens Fire Company #1. A Founding Member of the Weatherly Senior Citizens Friendship Club, the Greater Weatherly Ambulance Association and Weatherly Homecoming Association, he was Co-Chair of the Weatherly 125th Anniversary Committee. Elected by the Penn Northeast Conference to the United Church of Christ Board for World Ministries, he also served as a UCC General Synod Delegate. In 2002, Pastor Stump was the Recipient of the Carbon County Friends of Education Award and he was named a Mauch Chunk Trust Company Community Hero in 2008.Pastor Stump was a member of the Acacia Lodge #579 F&A.M of Taylor, Pa., and member of the Weatherly Rotary. He also belonged to the Swiss Lodge of Taylor.
Born Friday, July 22, 1932 in Taylor Pennsylvania the son of the late J. Howard, and Ruth (Evans) Stump. He was also predeceased by sisters, Nancy Kalinowski, and Lois Davis.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services 211 First Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255. (570) 427-4231
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 11 o'clock A.M. from Salem U.C.C. 330 First Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania.
Friends may call in church on Friday, December 21, 2018 from 4 to 7:00 P.M.
Private interment Union Cemetery Weatherly, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to
Salem U.C.C.
330 First Street
Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255
or
Citizens Fire Co. #1
107 Spring Street
Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255
or
Weatherly Hillclimb Association
730 North Street
Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Edward W. Reifsnyder, 71, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Saturday at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Edward was born in Cressona, Dec. 16, 1946, a son of the late Helen Reber Reifsnyder and Edward William Reifsnyder Sr.
He was the husband of Judith A. Hughes Reifsnyder. They would have celebrated 50 years of marriage on Dec. 28, 2018.
He was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School and served in the Navy.
He was a member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Ed loved his church, the Lord and his family. He taught high school Sunday school for many years, as well as Bible school. The kids loved him, and he loved the kids. He was a midget football coach for 15 years.
Ed was formerly employed by Dana until closing and then worked at Shalmet.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Reifsnyder; daughter-in-law, Amanda Reifsnyder.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Christopher Reifsnyder, Schuylkill Haven, Jennifer Koch, wife of Darrell, Orwigsburg and Michael Reifsnyder, husband of Denise; daughter-in-law, Jessica Reifsnyder, Schuylkill Haven; grandchildren, Dillon, Elaina, Connor, Brady, Zoie, Parker and Colton; brother, Jimmy Joe, Minersville; nieces, Jodi and Kim; nephew, Shawn; great-nieces, Sarah, Jenna and Eve; great-nephew, Jake; sister-in-law, Donna Potts, Schuylkill Haven; best friend and four-legged companion, Lily.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Schuylkill Haven, with the Rev. Ted Rathman officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held at 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. The family requests donations to Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, 15 Earl Stoyer Drive, PA 17972 or Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
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Born in Pottsville, on September 2, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Jacob J. and Cecilia (Wolf) Haley.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
Cecilia graduated from Sacred Heart Allentown School of Nursing, where she attained her Registered Nursing Degree. She proudly served her country during WWII, serving in the United States Army. She achieved her highest rank as Second Lieutenant. She retired from the Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville. She loved spending time taking care of her family.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Robert P. Hock, sisters Mary Painter and Dolores Bachman, and brother Thomas Haley.
She is survived by her sons Robert Hock husband of Joann, Pottsville; David Hock husband of Betty, Pottsville; daughters Ann Marie Jefferson wife of Richard Millet, Pottsville; Theresa “Terry” Elison, Center Valley. She is also survived by seven grandchildren Janelle Jefferson, Tara Steiner, Brian Elison, William Hock, Jacqueline Strohl, Jennifer Correll, and Sean Reeves; twelve great grandchildren; brother Leo Haley, and sister Regina Haley.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:30PM on Friday, December 21, 2018 at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 913 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Rev. David Loeper officiating. Family and Friends may call from 12PM until 1PM at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 W. Market St., Pottsville. Interment with military honors will be held in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Pottsville.
Please visit SchlitzerAllenPugh.com to leave a condolence for the Hock family.
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Born in Donaldson, March 29, 1945, a son of the late Earl J. and Verna Shadle Gehres.
Lamar attended Tremont High School, later earning his GED. He was an accomplished Brick Layer / Mason for many years.
He entered in the law enforcement career studying Criminal Justice at Harrisburg Area Community College and graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 1978.
His career in law enforcement spanned over twenty eight years, first serving as a patrolman and later as Chief of Police for the Tremont Borough. Following retirement from the Tremont Borough, Lamar served as a Sergeant at the Schuylkill County Prison for ten years.
Lamar was of the Protestant faith. He belonged to numerous organizations while residing in Tremont.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Tammy Renninger; two grandchildren, Jessica and David Renninger; step-sisters and step-brothers.
Surviving are his wife, Sharon Morgan Gehres; one son, Timothy Gehres (Pamela), Pine Grove; two step-sons, Michael Long (Lisa), Georgia and Steve Long (Trisha), Tennessee; one brothers, Robert Gehres, Donaldson; one sister Sandra Kimmel (Karl), Tremont; step-brother, Clyde Ney (Janice), Hegins; grandsons, granddaughters, one great granddaughter; nieces and nephews.
Following Lamar's wishes there will be no services.
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