Schuylkill County Obituaries for 02/25/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas James Yesalavage, 77, of Pine Grove, passed away Sunday at his home in Swatara Village.
Thomas was born on July 26, 1941 in Girardville and was a son of the late Albert and Adele Urban Yesalavage.
He was the devoted husband of Mary Rose Dyszel Yesalavage. They were to celebrate their 60th Anniversary on November 7th.
He was a devoted member of the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, Tremont.
Thomas was a 1959 graduate of Girardville High School. He graduated from Bloomsburg University and went on to earn his Master's Degree at Villanova University.
Thomas was a 1959 graduate of Girardville High School. He graduated from Bloomsburg University and went on to earn his Master's Degree at Villanova University.
He was retired from North Schuylkill High School where he taught math for 30 years.
Following retirement, he worked at Lowe's to pursue another passion of his but mostly to take advantage of the discounts.
He was a craftsman who loved restoring old homes, working on cars and passing those skills on to his children and grandchildren. He would remind them often to check the oil in their cars.
Thomas is survived by his wife Mary, his two daughters, Judith and Theresa; grandchildren, Thomas, Ryan, Benjamin and Amanda, and a great grandchild Adele Catherine.
In addition to his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by a son, James Thomas, sister Eleanor and brothers Jerome and Michael.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Most Blessed Trinity Parish, 113 Cherry St., Tremont with Father Jason Stokes officiating. All are warmly invited to attend a visitation between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Church. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Girardville Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, 113 Cherry St. Tremont, Pa. 17981 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements. You may send condolences to the family online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
------------------------------------------------------
Born in Schuylkill Haven on February 9, 1928, he was a son of the late Lester E. Aungst, Sr. & Gertrude (Schaeffer) Aungst.
He shared 70 years of marriage with his wife, Gladys I. (Nagle) Aungst.
Lester was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School, Class of 1946.He also attended classes at Eugenie School of Brooklyn, NY, for neon bending.
Following his studies, Lester became the founding owner of Aungst Signs, in Schuylkill Haven.He later purchased National Outdoor Advertising Company, selling and maintaining billboards in Schuylkill and Berks counties.He operated both businesses for more than 60 years; until his son took over in 2007.
Lester was drafted into the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Sgt.
He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Lester was a member of the Schuylkill Masonic Lodge No. 138 F&AM, Orwigsburg, for 62 years, as well as a Shriner, and a member of the Tall Cedars.
In addition to his parents, Lester is preceded in death by a sister, Margaret "Dolly" Peiffer, son, Bruce Aungst, and grandson, Jacob Michael Aungst.
In addition to his wife, Lester is survived by his son, Lester E. Aungst, III, & his wife, Michelle, Schuylkill Haven, four grandchildren: Nicole Guldin & her husband, Jason, St. Clair, Lester E. Aungst, IV, Joshua Aungst, both at home, at Jamie Engleman & her husband, Bill, Middleport, as well as three great-grandchildren, and one nephew.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be conducted at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven, at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 26th,with Rev. David Rowe officiating.
A viewing will be held Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Interment will be held privately.
------------------------------------------------------
Born in Schuyl-kill Haven, Sept. 5, 1922, he was a son of the late Joseph S. and Edna Lacey Kaufman.
He was widowed twice, a husband of the late Anna Ethel Wommer Kaufman, who preceded him in death in 1959, and the late Esther Moser Kaufman, who passed away in 2006.
Joe was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School, Class of 1940, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He lettered in football and baseball at Valley Forge Military Junior College. He graduated in 1942, and received the honor of Athlete of the Year.
Joe honorably served in the Army from 1943 to 1946. He at-tained the rank of private first class during World War II.
From 1946 to 1959, Joe worked for his father at Kaufman's Dairy, Schuylkill Haven. In 1960, he became a Knight's Life Insurance agent. Since 1964, Joe worked as a State Farm Insurance Agent until retiring in 1988, when his son, Joerd, took over the agency.
Joe was a member of Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven. He was also a member of the Schuylkill Haven Jaycees, VFW, 76'sers Bowling League and Hidden Valley, and Mountain Valley Golf leagues.
Joe was an avid hunter, golfer, fisherman and bowler. He was very lucky and very proud to have two documented holes in one.
He is survived by his son, Joerd F., husband of Kim Wolff Kaufman of Schuylkill Haven; daughter, Elaine, wife of Malcolm Menzies of Ju-neau, Alaska; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.
An evening viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven. A service celebrating his life will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, March 1, at the church with Pastor David Rowe officiating. An additional time for viewing will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service Friday. Graveside interment will be private.
As a lifelong supporter, donations in Joe's memory may be forwarded to Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
------------------------------------------------------
Born August 14, 1943, in Neptune New Jersey, he was the son of the late Ellsworth U. Penson, Sr. and the late Melvine (Soden) Penson.
Ellsworth enjoyed woodworking and tending to his property.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers Duane and Carl.
He is survived by his wife Carol A. (Schwarz) Penson, Pottsville; daughters Lorie Flaherty, Minersville and Kristy Catania, North Carolina; grandchildren Jonathan Springer, Kelly Flaherty, and Cordell Flaherty; great granddaughter Lillionna Marie Springer; brother Theo Penson; sister Alberta Mulliville; and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Saturday March 2 at the Schliltzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home 515 West Market Street Pottsville PA. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 10Am until the time of service. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
Please visit schlitzerallenpugh.com to leave a condolence for the Penson family.
------------------------------------------------------
Lois E. Taylor, 71, of Williamstown, passed away Sunday at UPMC-Pinnacle, Harrisburg.
Born in Bradford County, New York, July 1,1947 a daughter of the late Leon and Olive Johnson.
Lois was a graduate of Odessa High School. She was a United States Air Force Veteran.
Lois was a retired seamstress from the local garment industry.
Her greatest joys were spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed animals, reading, crafts and gardening. She was fondly know as "Nanny" to everyone.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Lester; two brothers Gerald and Leon; a sister Sharon.
Surviving are two daughters; Lisa Wells and Karen Taylor both of Williamstown; one sister, Darlene Salada, Steelton; four grandchildren, Brittany, Tahnee, Kendall and Michael; three great grandchildren; Laikyn, Katalaya and Milaysia; Nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends to share memories will be held on Saturday, March 2nd at 2:30 pm from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc. Tower City. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Dimon Funeral Home, 644 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City PA 17980 to help with expenses. To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
Born in Bradford County, New York, July 1,1947 a daughter of the late Leon and Olive Johnson.
Lois was a graduate of Odessa High School. She was a United States Air Force Veteran.
Lois was a retired seamstress from the local garment industry.
Her greatest joys were spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed animals, reading, crafts and gardening. She was fondly know as "Nanny" to everyone.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Lester; two brothers Gerald and Leon; a sister Sharon.
Surviving are two daughters; Lisa Wells and Karen Taylor both of Williamstown; one sister, Darlene Salada, Steelton; four grandchildren, Brittany, Tahnee, Kendall and Michael; three great grandchildren; Laikyn, Katalaya and Milaysia; Nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends to share memories will be held on Saturday, March 2nd at 2:30 pm from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc. Tower City. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Dimon Funeral Home, 644 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City PA 17980 to help with expenses. To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
------------------------------------------------------
Mary Ellen Brown, 87, formerly of Pottsville, passed away peacefully Saturday with her family close by.
Born April 14, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Flora Boyer.
Mary Ellen was a graduate of Ashland High School.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pottsville, where she often volunteered.
Mary Ellen worked in Harrisburg at the Treasury Department prior to raising her family. After raising her family, she went back to work at the Pottsville Area High School, where she was beloved by both staff and students alike.
Mary Ellen loved the outdoors and enjoyed spending time in her garden. She was also a lover of her many feline companions.
In addition to her parents, Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Walter "Pete" Brown, who passed away in 1991, along with their son, Kurt Brown, who passed away in 2008, as well as several siblings.
Mary Ellen is survived by her daughters, Dr. Kim (Brown) Even, wife of Ralph Even of Blue Bell and Kay Coskey, wife of Dr. Larry Coskey of Burlingame, Calif.; a daughter-in-law, Judy Smulktis Brown; her sister, Shirley Boyer of Redondo Beach, Calif.; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mary Ellen and her family were grateful for the wonderful care she had received while at Regina Nursing Home in Norristown.
Services are private at the convenience of the family. Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven, is entrusted with the services. Donations can be made in Mary Ellen's memory to St. John Lutheran Church, 1802 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, or a charity of your choice. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com.
------------------------------------------------------
