Schuylkill County Obituaries for 03/12/19
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emily was a 2013 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School. She worked as a waitress for several years at Vernalis Restaurant in Shenandoah, where she was adored for her wonderful personality and loving smile. Emily loved being outdoors and enjoyed line dancing with her friends at the Wagon Wheel in Ringtown. Above all else, she was a caring daughter, sister, aunt and friend and always put others before herself.
She was preceded by her brother, Andrew Kufrovich in 2015.
In addition to her parents, Susan Dower with her husband David and Patrick Cooney with Rhonda Bowen, she was also survived by 3 sisters, Althea Melson with her husband James, Abagail Cooney, and Amanda Kufrovich. 2 nephews, Keegan and A.J. and 1 niece, Mia. Also surviving are her grandfather, Michael Stinsky, cousins, aunts, uncles and her buddy Kieran.
A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, March 16th at 11am from the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah with Pastor Mindy Heppe officiating. A visitation for family and friends will take place prior to services from 9am to 11am at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family would kindly ask for donations be made to the funeral home to assist them with funeral costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doris Jane (Allen) Forsythe, 71, went to be with her Lord and savior March 5, 2019 with her husband by her side at their residence in Fife Lake. She was born on June 29, 1947, to Paul Shafer Allen and Mildred Cooper Allen of Pottsville, Pennsylvania. As a child she grew up close to her cousins, Bob and MaryAnn (Pugh) Allen, and was active in the First United Methodist Church. She graduated from Pottsville High School in 1965, where she learned to play the bagpipes and enjoyed Friday night football games. She loved her hometown and its people, mountain laurel in the springtime, and the giant statue of Henry Clay on the mountainside. She attended York Junior College in 1965 and graduated in 1967 with her best friend from high school, Melinda Mootz, and later graduated from the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science in Milwaukee. She was a licensed funeral director in both Michigan and Pennsylvania.
On January 11, 1969, she married Douglas A. Covell, and they moved to Michigan, where they would establish their funeral home business in Traverse City. In 1973, they had a daughter, Nikole P. Covell (Channels). Doug and Doris divorced in 1975. Doris attended Michigan State University, graduating in 1980 with a degree in Social Work. She worked for fifteen years at Osteopathic Hospital in Traverse City, quickly becoming the director of medical social work and assisting patients and their families in patient services, care placement, and grief counseling. She also served at Williamsburg Recovery Center where she counseled those overcoming addictions. Doris later served as a disability examiner for the State of Michigan. She also worked part time in her retirement for the Kalkaska Funeral Home.
On August 21, 1999, Doris married Jeffry Forsythe, who shared with her his love of Percheron draft horses. They established Willowcrest Farm and Carriage Service, and were active for years in the Michigan Draft Horse Association.
Those who knew Doris knew she was a loyal friend, strong in her faith and love for Jesus her Savior. Her family and her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she continually showed kindness and compassion for people and animals. She stood up for truth, and unapologetically lifted up a high standard for living what she believed. She wanted others to find their identity in God's love, and live their best lives. She touched many lives with her grace and listening heart, and she will be greatly missed.
On January 11, 1969, she married Douglas A. Covell, and they moved to Michigan, where they would establish their funeral home business in Traverse City. In 1973, they had a daughter, Nikole P. Covell (Channels). Doug and Doris divorced in 1975. Doris attended Michigan State University, graduating in 1980 with a degree in Social Work. She worked for fifteen years at Osteopathic Hospital in Traverse City, quickly becoming the director of medical social work and assisting patients and their families in patient services, care placement, and grief counseling. She also served at Williamsburg Recovery Center where she counseled those overcoming addictions. Doris later served as a disability examiner for the State of Michigan. She also worked part time in her retirement for the Kalkaska Funeral Home.
On August 21, 1999, Doris married Jeffry Forsythe, who shared with her his love of Percheron draft horses. They established Willowcrest Farm and Carriage Service, and were active for years in the Michigan Draft Horse Association.
Those who knew Doris knew she was a loyal friend, strong in her faith and love for Jesus her Savior. Her family and her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she continually showed kindness and compassion for people and animals. She stood up for truth, and unapologetically lifted up a high standard for living what she believed. She wanted others to find their identity in God's love, and live their best lives. She touched many lives with her grace and listening heart, and she will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life funeral service will be conducted in Pennsylvania on Saturday March 16, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church, 4th & West Market Streets at 2 p.m. with the Rev John Wallace officating. Family and friends may call at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of services. The interment will be at the convenience of the family at the Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Bible Society, P O Box 96812, Washington DC, 20090-6812 or the First United Methodist Church, 4th & W. Market Sts., Pottsville, PA 17901.
-------------------------------------------------------
Frances M. “Dolly” Siluk, 90, of Whitehall, PA and formerly of New Ringgold, PA, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 in Fellowship Community, Whitehall. She was the wife of the late Frank Siluk. Born September 24, 1928, she was a daughter of Frank and Ann (Swerchak) Smulligan. Dolly began her education in a one-room schoolhouse at Dorset, a several mile walk from her family’s farmstead on Blue Mountain Drive. A 1947 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she continued on to St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, PA where she earned her Registered Nurse credentials. Her career as a nurse spanned many years and specialties. Dolly was the head nurse in the emergency department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Reading, PA, for over 25 years in an era when ER nurses wore white hats, white uniforms, and white stockings. She worked briefly at Laurel Nursing Center in Hamburg, PA before embarking on a new career as a home health care nurse with Professional Home Healthcare, Pottsville, PA and then with Tamaqua Visiting Nurse Association just as that field was beginning to grow. Her work with senior citizens earned her a spot on the Schuylkill County Senior Citizens Advisory Council. She also volunteered as an EMT with the Penn Mahoning Ambulance Corps. In an age prior to 911, Dolly was often the person neighbors called for triage and first aid. After retiring, she enjoyed working as a substitute nurse at both Morgan Knitting Mills and the Tamaqua Area School District while working weekends as a private duty nurse. She was a member of Tamaqua BPW, West Penn Lioness Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of the New Ringgold Fire Company. She volunteered at Good News Camp at the Lewistown Valley Tabernacle, Good News Club at Tamaqua Elementary and served Thanksgiving dinners at the Tamaqua Salvation Army. A Catholic from birth, Dolly was a member of the former St. Jerome’s Church, Tamaqua, PA. Dolly is survived by her daughters Julie, wife of Mike Del Priore of Bath, PA and Lucy, wife of Phil Gerace of Valparaiso, IN; sisters Kathryn Mixon of Bethlehem, PA and Mary Ann Burton of Bel Air, MD; sister-in-law Elizabeth Smulligan, McAdoo, PA; grandchildren Julian Gerace, Francesca Nemeth, Nathan Gerace, Antonetta Gerace and Antonio Del Priore; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brother Joseph Smulligan, half-sister Margaret Bendrick, and half-brother Eugene Smulligan. Because of her practical nature, Dolly was not a fan of funeral flowers; therefore, the family requests that no arrangements be sent. Instead, take flowers to a living loved one or consider donating to the France M. Siluk Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund, c/o of the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 3-5 PM at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mauch Chunk and Greenwood Streets, Tamaqua, on Saturday, March 16. Friends are asked to join in worship with the Zion community at 5:30 PM with light refreshments to follow the service. Private interment was at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua 18252.
--------------------------------------------------
Joan Hovenstine, 87, of Warminster, formerly of Ashland, PA, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2019 at Abington-Jefferson Hospital, Abington, PA.
Born in Ashland on April 27, 1931 the daughter of the late Russell and Ruth (Glessner) Hovenstine.
Joan graduated from Conyngham Twp. High School. She was a former member of Zion's Reformed UCC, Ashland.
Joan graduated from Conyngham Twp. High School. She was a former member of Zion's Reformed UCC, Ashland.
Preceding her in death was a brother: Robert Hovenstine.
Surviving are nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at Brock Cemetery, Ashland at the convenience of the family.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc., Ashland is in charge of the arrangements.
Charles Heizenroth III, Supervisor.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc., Ashland is in charge of the arrangements.
Charles Heizenroth III, Supervisor.
---------------------------------------------------
Frances Marie “Dolly” Siluk, 90, of New Ringgold, PA passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 in Fellowship Community. She was the wife of the late Frank Siluk. Born September 24, 1928, she was a daughter of Frank and Anna (Swerchak) Smulligan. Dolly began her education in a one-room schoolhouse at Dorset, a several mile walk from her family’s farmstead on Blue Mountain Drive. A 1947 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she continued on to St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, PA where she earned her Registered Nurse credentials. Her career as a nurse spanned many years and specialties. Dolly was the head nurse in the emergency department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Reading, PA, for over 25 years in an era when ER nurses wore white hats, white uniforms, and white stockings. She worked briefly at Laurel Nursing Center in Hamburg, PA before embarking on a new career as a home health care nurse with Professional Home Healthcare, Pottsville, PA and then with Tamaqua Visiting Nurse Association just as that field was beginning to grow. Her work with senior citizens earned her a spot on the Schuylkill County Senior Citizens Advisory Council. She also volunteered as an EMT with the Penn Mahoning Ambulance Corps. In an age prior to 911, Dolly was often the person neighbors called for triage and first aid. After retiring, she enjoyed working as a substitute nurse at both Morgan Knitting Mills and the Tamaqua Area School District while working weekends as a private duty nurse. She was a member of Tamaqua BPW, West Penn Lioness Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of the New Ringgold Fire Company. She volunteered at Good News Camp at the Lewistown Valley Tabernacle, Good News Club at Tamaqua Elementary and served Thanksgiving dinners at the Tamaqua Salvation Army. A Catholic from birth, Dolly was a member of the former St. Jerome’s Church, Tamaqua, PA. Dolly is survived by her daughters Julie, wife of Mike Del Priore of Bath, PA and Lucy, wife of Phil Gerace of Valparaiso, IN; sisters Kathryn Mixon of Bethlehem, PA and Mary Ann Burton of Bel Air, MD; sister-in-law Elizabeth Smulligan, McAdoo, PA; grandchildren Julian Gerace, Francesca Nemeth, Nathan Gerace, Antonetta Gerace and Antonio Del Priore; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brother Joseph Smulligan, half-sister Margaret Bendrick, and half-brother Eugene Smulligan. Because of her practical nature, Dolly was not a fan of funeral flowers; therefore, the family requests that no arrangements be sent. Instead, take flowers to a living loved one or consider donating to the Frances M. Siluk Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund, c/o of the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 3-5 PM at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mauch Chunk and Greenwood Streets, Tamaqua, on Saturday, March 16. Friends are asked to join in worship with the Zion community at 5:30 PM with light refreshments to follow the service. Private interment was at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua 18252.
---------------------------------------------------
Born on December 23rd, 1944 in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late Honorable Isadore Krasno and wife Betty Markowitz.
Lester is survived by his three children and two grandchildren: Jason Krasno, of Philadelphia; Faith Krasno, of Wynnewood; Jesse Elijah Krasno, of Santa Monica, California. His grandchildren, Benjamin Krasno and Skyler Williams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Alice Krasno and his daughter Shana Krasno.
He was a member of the Oheb Zedeck Synagogue and an active member at the Beth Judah Congregation in Ventnor, NJ.
Lester was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Dickinson College, and Villanova Law School.
He was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania State Committee in Law and Justice, and the Committee of Youth and Aging. Lester was a founding member of the Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo Law Firm with offices in Pottsville and Philadelphia and in 2016 the firm was voted Pennsylvania’s Premiere Workman’s Compensation Law Firm.
As a trial attorney for 46 years, Lester litigated some of the toughest cases in Pennsylvania Workers Compensation history, many of which are now landmark decisions, earning him the prestigious title of 2017 Lawyer of the Year for Workers Compensation Law. He was regarded as a fierce litigator and compassionate attorney and his everyday presence at the Pottsville Hearing Office with his hockey bag full of files will be both remembered and missed.
Although Lester spent much of his time fighting for the rights of others, his greatest contribution in life was his role as a loving and devoted father and grandfather. His children and his grandchildren were his pride and joy and his entire world. His gift of unconditional love for them has and will shape their lives in ways that are not only honored and cherished, but timeless.
Lester was a mentor to his son Jason Krasno who took over the firm in 2005 and practiced side by side with him for 16 years. His daughter, Faith, a psychologist, followed in her father’s footsteps majoring in psychology and earning her doctoral degree. His son Jesse chose a degree in Culinary Arts so he could make his father many of his favorite dishes accompanied by a generous scoop of ketchup.
In his spare time, Lester loved spending time with his family at his beach house in Longport, NJ, watching his favorite sports teams the Eagles and the Phillies, and playing tennis. He was always surrounded by his beloved pets as he was a true animal lover adopting, supporting, and contributing to a wide variety of animal rescue organizations. He liked choosing unique names for his pets and showered them with love and attention.
Lester lived a life of service to others. He will forever be remembered as a kind and exceedingly generous man who gave without fanfare, never for self-aggrandizement. May he be forever thought of as a blessing to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 14th , at 1:00 p.m. at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville with Rabbi Seth Phillips officiating. A visitation with the family will be held from noon until the time of the service in the funeral home.
Internment will follow at the Oheb Zedeck Cemetery in Pottsville.
In lieu of flowers (as they are traditionally not accepted for Jewish services), the family request contributions in Lester’s memory be made to : Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Hillside Rd. Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com
---------------------------------------------------
