Monday, February 4, 2019

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 02/03/19



Schuylkill County Obituaries for 02/03/19

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Joseph M. Sweeney, 80, Lost Creek, passed away peacefully on Friday morning at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Ashland, he was a son of the late Joseph and Rose Graziano Sweeney. Joe was employed as a supervisor for Penn Dot until his retirement. After retiring, he served as the West Mahanoy Township supervisor.

He was a graduate of the former Girardville High School, excelling in basketball, where he was the all time leading scorer for the Blue Aces before the introduction of the three-point line.

Joe was a United States Army Veteran serving as a jumper with the airborne division and was a 20 year retiree in the Army reserves.

Joe had a great love for softball and basketball, where he served as a PIAA official in both sports for numerous years. He was a member of the Jerry Wolman Hall of Fame, Shenandoah and the Frackville Elks BPOE #1533.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Machese Sweeney in 1999, his brother Michael Sweeney and his sister Rose Sweeney.

Joe is survived by his two daughters: Cheryl Sweeney and her companion Mike Stockunas, Frackville, Pamela and her husband Bernard Tomko, Zion Grove; his companion for 18 years, Eleanor McDonald; his grandson, Mike Tomko and his companion Angela Wankus, Frackville and his faithful dog, Chuck; several nieces and nephews.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Donations can be made, in Joseph’s memory, to the Hillside SPCA at PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901.

Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com

Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville, Timothy M. Sullivan, supervisor is in charge of the arrangements.
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Annetta P. Freeman, 81, of Carbon St., Pine Grove, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown

Born on February 21, 1937 in Pine Grove, she was a daughter of the late Adam Z. and Minnie Neidlinger Haldeman.

She was a 1955 graduate of Pine Grove High School and a member of St. Mark's (Brown's) Church, Schuylkill Haven.

Annetta was a sewing machine operator for the former Canoe Mfg. Pine Grove.

Preceding her in death was a sister Elizabeth Haldeman.

Surviving are her husband Harvey Freeman of Orwigsburg; two daughters, Diane Krammes and partner Nelson Zook, Sandra and husband Tom Price, both of Pine Grove; two sons, Larry and wife Pattie Krammes of Pottsville, William and wife Tammy Sites of Pine Grove; grandchildren; great grandchildren; three step children, Sally and husband Nicholas Modesto, Sr. of Pine Grove, Debra Spittler of Tremont, Kenneth and wife Ruthann Freeman of Texas; five brothers, Adam, Samuel, and Ralph Haldeman of Pine Grove, Dale Haldeman of Tremont, and Frank Haldeman of West Virginia; two sisters, Arlene Staller of Tremont, Gladys Feane of Myerstown.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove with Rev. Eugene Eckroth officiating. There will be a viewing on Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the St. Mark's (Brown's) Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the St. Mark's (Browns) Church, 151 Summer Hill Rd., P.O. Box 37 Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 in her memory.
You may send condolences to the family online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com



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Stephen “Yatz” Vuksta, 84, of Minersville passed away on Saturday at his home.

Born in Heckscherville, he was a son of the late George and Helen Babinetz Vuksta. He attended Cass Township schools, and worked as a pipe layer on construction. He was an Army veteran, having served as a military police officer.

Preceding him in death were his wife of 33 years, the former Elizabeth “Hanka” Kroznuskie; two children, George and Stephen Vuksta; three siblings, George Vuksta, Charles Vuksta and Mary Sorokach; his canine friend, Fuzz.

He is survived by six children, Helen Vuksta (companion, Thomas Vasura), Minersville, John Vuksta (spouse, Deneen), Hamburg, Joseph Vuksta (spouse, Julianne), West West Terrace, Paul Vuksta, Minersville, Lisa Defalco (spouse, Frank), Minersville, and Donna Vuksta, Minersville; nine grandchildren, Amy Wilk, Jessica Smith, Joseph Vuksta, Cyndi Steckler, Shawn Vuksta, Emilee Vuksta, Briana Vuksta, Matthew Vuksta and Luke Vuksta; four great-grandchildren, Isabelle Wilk, Maddox “George” Wilk, Addison Smith and Jace Smith. He is also survived by four siblings, John Vuksta, Minersville, Helen Sorokach, Black Heath, Anna Vacula, Schuylkill Haven, and Elizabeth Horoschak, Saint Clair; nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Tuesday from 6:00 P.M. and on Wednesday from 6:00 A.M. until services at 10:00 A.M. Interment with military honors will be in Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Branch Township.

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Bernard 'Bernie' Carter, 72, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 at his home in Sheppton.

Bernie was born in Chester, on December 18, 1946, a son of the late Elizabeth C. (Drumheller) and Bernard D. Carter.

He ws the co-owner of the local gas company Valley Propane in Hazle Township.

Bernie was also a classic car collector and enthusiast who enjoyed attending auto auctions, car cruises and car shows, especially the Bloomsburg Nationals. He was a kind man who was generous to those in need.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Christy Sue in 1981.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 37 years, Susan (Foose) Carter. He is also survived by a son, Bernie Jr., and his wife Jacqueline , of Catawissa; a sister, Carol Carter and her fiancee Bob Briggs of Sheppton; and a brother Jerry Carter, of Phinneyville.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service which will be held 8 PM on Thursday, February 7th 2018 at the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, 412 West Main Street in Ringtown. A viewing will be held from 5 PM to 8 PM on Thursday evening prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, Bernie's family asks that memorial donations be made to either the American Cancer Society, or St. John's Lutheran Church in Brandonville in his memory.

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