Friday, February 1, 2019

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 01/31/19



Schuylkill County Obituaries for 01/31/19

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John E. Kropp, 67 years of age of Mahanoy Ave, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania passed away on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at St. Luke's Hospice Bethlehem.

Survived by his wife of thirty-two years, Margaret "Marge" (Hinkel) Kropp; son, Sean Surface of Texas, daughter, Samantha Bubel wife of Kris of Tamaqua; brothers, Stanley Kropp, Jr., Herb Kropp and his wife Kathy, Jeff Kropp and his wife Wanda; sister, Remel Kropp; grandson, Mason Yachera; sister-in-law, Carol Kropp; many nieces and nephews.

Born Saturday, August 25, 1951 in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, the son of Dorothy (Smith) Kropp of New Ringgold and the late Stanley Elmer Kropp. John was also predeceased by a brother, George.

A 1969 Tamaqua High School graduate he worked for many years as a knitter in the Textile Industry. A licensed Pastor, John served St. Clair – Wade United Methodist Church for a number of years. John was a talented wood worker.

Private arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550.

Memorials in his name to:

Grace United Methodist Church
223 Pike Street
St. Clair, Pennsylvania 17965

To express condolences or share a fond memory of John visitwww.griffithsfuneralhomes.com

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Patricia H. Bemiller, 84, Pottsville, died Wednesday morning at her home.

She was born October 3, 1934 in Pottstown to the late Fern and Naomi Houck.

She was a 1952 graduate of the former Eichelberger High School in Hanover PA.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son C. Richard Bemiller II (2001) and a sister.

Patricia is survived by her husband of 64 ½ years, Dr. Carl R. Bemiller, Pottsville; sons Timothy A. Bemiller, MD and his wife, San Diego CA and Tracy S. Bemiller, Oakland, MD; 6 grandchildren and a brother retired Col. Fern Houck, Hanover PA.

Private interment will be held on the grounds of Rest Haven Cemetery, Hanover. Schlitzer Allen Pugh 515 West Market Street has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit schlitzerallwnpugh.com to leave a condolence for the Bemiller family.
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John W. Burke, 70, of Frackville, died Wednesday January 30,
2019 at LVHN- Cedar Crest, Allentown

Born in West Mahanoy Twp. March 3, 1948, He was a son of the
late John and Margaret (Dower) Burke.

John served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.

He retired as an Equipment Operator Instructor from Penn Dot,
Schuylkill Haven.

Surviving are his wife Jean (Oliver) Burke; 2 sons John
Burke of Frackville; Timothy Burke and his wife Patricia of Shenandoah; a
grandson Brett Burke; sister Margaret Ansbach of Frackville; 2 Nephews.

Graveside Services with military honors will be held at 9:30
AM Tuesday February 5, 2019 from Indiantown
Gap National Cemetery, Annville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made
to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.

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Anne E. Sikora, 94, of Sandy, Utah, formerly of Branch Township, passed away on Monday at Bee Hive Homes of Payson.

Born in Shenandoah, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Teophilia Ganaikas Meldazis. She was a 1941 graduate of Shenandoah High School. At age 50, she received her license as an LPN at the Marlin Vocational-Technical Center and worked in private practice. She worked for 8 years as a cook in the St. Francis School cafeteria.

Anne was a member of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church, Minersville, where she was active in the Sodality and the Choir. She was also a member of the Lithuanian Choir of the former Our Lady of Siluva Church, Gilberton and the Schuylkill County Community Chorus. She was a member of the Knights of Lithuania, Council #144 where she taught Lithuanian studies to children. She was a member of the Frackville Senior Citizens and Choir and the Shenandoah Senior Citizens and Choir. She volunteered for AARP and the Red Cross.

Among her hobbies were making “marguciai” or Lithuanian Pysanki.

Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph M. Sikora, on September 6, 1996; a brother, Ernest Meldazis; a sister, Helen Leonarczyk.

Surviving are three children, Joseph Sikora, Jr., Schuylkill Haven, Dr. Paul Sikora, Eagle Mountain, Utah, and Sandra Chafin (spouse, Ronald), Sandy, Utah; 3 grandchildren, Rebekah Klimas, Jason Sikora and Michael Chafin; 4 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews including Theresa Meldazis, Shenandoah.

Arrangements are incomplete. Please check back regularly for updates.

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Betty M. Donton, 96, of Tower City, passed away Wednesday at the Tremont Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Tower City, August 5, 1922, a daughter of the late Franklin and Bertha Paul Adams.

Betty retired as a seamstress from the garment industry. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tower City and the Glen Chapter of the Eastern Star, Lykens.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Donton, 1996; sisters, Millie Brown and Elsie Adams.

Surviving are several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 am from St. Peter's Cemetery, Orwin with Rev. Lauren Blatt. Memorial donations in her name should be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 449 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City PA 17980. Dimon Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com

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