Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 12/25/18


Schuylkill County Obituaries for 12/25/18


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Joan B. Costello, 74, Pottsville, died Sunday morning at Schuylkill Center Genesis Eldercare, Pottsville.

Born November 9, 1945 in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late James P. and Elizabeth (Winter) Costello.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville and a graduate of Nativity BVM High School. She worked at the former Good Samaritan RMC, Pottsville in the house keeping department.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister Dolores Renninger.

She is survived by a brother Jim Costello husband of Ruth, Sinking Spring and several nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11AM Friday December 28 at St. Patrick RC Church. Family and friends are invited to call from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Interment will be in St. John the Baptist RC Cemetery. Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home 515 West Market Street Pottsville has been entrusted with arrangements. The family would prefer donations be made to St. Patrick RC Church memorial fund in Joan’s name. Please visit schlitzerallenpugh.com to leave a condolence for the Costello family.
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William "Yag" R. Lucas, 73 of Gordon, PA passed away Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018 at his home in Gordon. 

Born in Ashland March 25,1945 the son of the late Helen F. Lucas. He graduated from Ashland High School class of 1963 and worked for Asplundh Tree Expert Company until retirement. 

Surviving are a step daughter Gwenda Sasak, Naperville, Ill; four granddaughters Tammy Cifonie, Kathy Thurm, Jill Lively and Debbie Ibarra . Four great grandchildren survive and cousin
Larry husband of Renee Helwig of Gordon, PA. 

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 29,2018 at 11:00 A.M. from the Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home in Ashland. Susie Hocking will officiate. Interment in Citizens Cemetery, Lavelle, PA. Viewing Saturday 9:30-11:00 A.M. from the Funeral Home. Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home, Ashland is in charge of arrangements.


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Josiah D. Viera, age 14 of Hegins passed away Monday at Lehigh Valley Medical Center Schuylkill East, Pottsville.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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Donald F Stutzman, age 83, of Hegins, passed away Monday at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. 

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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Barbara Umlauf, 68, of Ashland passed away Thursday evening, December 20th, at home with family after a long battle with cancer. She was the daughter of the late John and Irene Canfield of Ashland.

Barbara was the Executive Director of the Hillside S.P.C.A. in Pottsville for 34 years. She worked and sacrificed for decades to help the animals of Schuylkill County and beyond, and received numerous awards for service in animal welfare. Barbara worked day and night as the Hillside was her heart and soul, and a true labor of love. She could be relied upon 24/7 to help an animal, or person for that matter, in need. Not only did Barbara help thousands of animals during her lifetime, she also helped unite countless people with their “fur kids.” Barbara also founded the Joe and Caroline Spay/Neuter and Emergency Fund after the devastating losses of her children. This fund continues to help in providing animals with life saving medical interventions. Aside from being a savior to so many animals, Barbara was loved and cherished by many people and has touched innumerable lives. Barbara continued to work at the Hillside up until nearly the very end of her life, visiting the shelter as much as her body would allow and continuing to write thank you letters into the night. She is a tremendous loss to her family and friends, as well as all animals in the county. Barbara will be missed immensely and she will continue to be loved, extra extra.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her children Joseph J. Parnell and Caroline C. Parnell.

Barbara is survived by her husband Paul H. Umlauf, her sisters Nadine Avenoso and Paula Murphy and their husbands Gary Avenoso and Thomas Murphy, her nephews John and Jeff Murphy, her niece Natalie Avenoso, and five great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday January 5th at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville. Friends are invited to a visitation on Saturday from 3 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor Barbara’s dying wish to continue to save as many animals as possible, donations can be made to either Joe and Caroline Spay/Neuter and Emergency Fund (Click here to donate online) -OR- the Hillside S.P.C.A. (Click here to donate online) Please make checks payable to the Hillside S.P.C.A. P.O. Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901 and please clearly mark on your envelope whether your gift is to the general fund or Joe and Caroline’s fund.

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Norma G. Corse, R.N., 76 of Pottsville died Sunday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

She was born April 13, 1942 in Ellwood City, a daughter of the late Andrew and Emma Bretz Greff.

She was a graduate of Lincoln High School, Ellwood City and Allegheny General Hospital School of Nursing.

Prior to retiring Norma taught LPNs and was medical surgical nurse for numerous hospitals in New York and Pennsylvania, a home health nurse for the Service Circle of the Kings Daughters and was a nursing consultant for the Schuylkill County Offices of Senior Services.

Norma was a member Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, Order of the Eastern Star, Ellwood City, the former Good Samaritan Ladies Auxiliary, Pottsville Club Ladies Auxiliary, Schuylkill County Orchestra Auxiliary, a board member of the Retired Schuylkill County Senior Volunteer Program and served on numerous community groups.

Norma enjoyed playing cards with her Tuesday Bridge Group.

Surviving are her husband, Attorney Chester C. “Pete” Corse with whom she celebrated 53 years of marriage with on August 7th; 2 daughters, Kerry Corse Campion and her husband Thomas, Pottsville; Daun Corse Phillips, Orwigsburg; 3 grandchildren, Sarah Corse Campion, Andrew Corse Campion, Jonathan Peter Phillips, Jr.; a sister, Andrea G. Zimmerman and her husband David, Aiken, S.C.

Services will be held Saturday at 11AM from Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, with Rev. Chris Rothharpt officiating. Family and friends are invited to a viewing from 9AM until the time of services Saturday at the church. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St., Pottsville PA, 17901. Interment will be in St. John No. 2 Cemetery, Pottsville.

Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.

Please share your memories and condolences with Norma’s family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com

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