Schuylkill County Obituaries for 03/20/19
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Thomas Dale Keerans, Sr., 60, of Coaldale, PA and formerly of Bethpage, Long Island died on Monday, March 18, 2019 in Salisbury Township, PA. Born on April 18, 1958 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he was a son of the late Donald L. and Joy (nee Miller) Keerans. After graduating from Tamaqua High School in 1976, Thomas attended Penn State. He was an insurance salesman employed by Hazleton Insurance. Thomas was a member and President of the Sons of the American Legion, Coaldale; a former member of Coaldale borough council member; and attended the First Methodist Church, Tamaqua. An avid golfer, he had many other interests and hobbies which included gardening, hunting, woodworking; and he was a big fan of the Mets and Penn State. In addition to his loyal golden retriever, “Buddy”, Thomas is survived by his sons, Mark Keerans of Shelter Island, NY and Tommy Keerans, Jr. of Tamaqua, PA; brother, Scott Keerans and family of Richmond, VA; and sister, Lynne Omelchenko and family of Frederick, MD. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 23 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua. Call 9-11 AM on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials in Thomas’s name may be made to the Sons of the American Legion, c/o the Coaldale American Legion, 105 Second Street, Coaldale, PA 18218. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Mildred J. Barrett, 86, of Coaldale, PA died on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at home. She was the wife of the late Thomas Barrett who died in 2001. Born in Coaldale on March 17, 1933, Mildred was a daughter of the late Michael and Tillie (nee Nesterak) Jabbo. A 1950 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, she worked in the banking industry, first as a teller and then as an administrative assistant at the Pennsylvania National Bank in Lansford, PA. Formerly a member of St. Mary of Assumption Church, Coaldale prior to its closing, Mildred currently was a member of The Parish of St. John XXIII, Tamaqua, PA. She was also a former member of the St. Ann Council of Catholic Women. Mildred is survived by daughters, Maureen Barrett of Bath, PA, Michelle Halenar and her husband Ronald of Lehighton, PA, and Monica Dunn and her husband Joseph of Mary Esther, FL; grandchildren, Colleen Barrett, Joseph Dunn, Jared Dunn, and Kate Halenar; nephews; and nieces. She was predeceased by brothers, Joseph Jabbo and John Jabbo and sister, Rose Stricek. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Monday, March 25 in St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua. Interment in St. Jerome Cemetery, Lombard Street, Tamaqua will follow the mass. Call 9-10:30 AM on Monday at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad Street, Tamaqua. Memorials in Mildred’s name may be made to the memorial fund of the The Parish of St. John XXIII, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252 OR a charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Born in Philadelphia, June 27, 1916, she was a daughter of the late Jay and Caroline Lamb Bright.
Carolyn graduated from Haverford High School in 1934, and attended Drexel University, majoring in home economics.
She was a homemaker, real estate agent, and owned and operated a guest house, "The Belvidere," in Cape May, N.J., for 15 years with her husband, Bill, which was previously operated by her late mother.
Some of her notable accomplishments include being employed by the federal government during World War II to teach home canning techniques, being active in the League of Women Voters, hosting former UN Secretary U Thant at a dinner in Lansdale and winning local awards for her landscape paintings. In recent years, she was an active member of the Pottsville Allied Artists.
Carolyn enjoyed many activities, including painting, playing bridge, bible study, reading, listening to music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. We will remember her warmth, her quick wit, her intelligence and her love of a picturesque, oceanside view.
In addition to her parents, Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, William G. Mueller, with whom she shared 64 years of marriage until his death in 1999; as well as her sons, Frederick and Robert Mueller.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol McGuigan, wife of Bob, Pottsville; grandchildren, Susan McGuigan and Sandra O'Brien, Pottsville, Michelle and Monica Mueller, Seattle, Wash., Zach and Max Mueller, Newark, Del.; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, at First United Methodist Church, Pottsville, with Pastor John Wallace officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service April 13 at the church. Interment will be privately held at the family's convenience. At the family's request, memorial donations in Carolyn's name may be made to a charity of the donor's choice or to Habitat for Humanity. Checks can be made payable to Habitat for Humanity International and mailed to 322 W. Lamar St., Americus, Georgia 31709-3543.
Thomas Dale Keerans, Sr., 60, of Coaldale, PA and formerly of Bethpage, Long Island died on Monday, March 18, 2019 in Salisbury Township, PA. Born on April 18, 1958 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he was a son of the late Donald L. and Joy (nee Miller) Keerans. After graduating from Tamaqua High School in 1976, Thomas attended Penn State. He was an insurance salesman employed by Hazleton Insurance. Thomas was a member and President of the Sons of the American Legion, Coaldale; a former member of Coaldale borough council member; and attended the First Methodist Church, Tamaqua. An avid golfer, he had many other interests and hobbies which included gardening, hunting, woodworking; and he was a big fan of the Mets and Penn State. In addition to his loyal golden retriever, “Buddy”, Thomas is survived by his sons, Mark Keerans of Shelter Island, NY and Tommy Keerans, Jr. of Tamaqua, PA; brother, Scott Keerans and family of Richmond, VA; and sister, Lynne Omelchenko and family of Frederick, MD. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 23 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua. Call 9-11 AM on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials in Thomas’s name may be made to the Sons of the American Legion, c/o the Coaldale American Legion, 105 Second Street, Coaldale, PA 18218. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Mildred J. Barrett, 86, of Coaldale, PA died on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at home. She was the wife of the late Thomas Barrett who died in 2001. Born in Coaldale on March 17, 1933, Mildred was a daughter of the late Michael and Tillie (nee Nesterak) Jabbo. A 1950 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, she worked in the banking industry, first as a teller and then as an administrative assistant at the Pennsylvania National Bank in Lansford, PA. Formerly a member of St. Mary of Assumption Church, Coaldale prior to its closing, Mildred currently was a member of The Parish of St. John XXIII, Tamaqua, PA. She was also a former member of the St. Ann Council of Catholic Women. Mildred is survived by daughters, Maureen Barrett of Bath, PA, Michelle Halenar and her husband Ronald of Lehighton, PA, and Monica Dunn and her husband Joseph of Mary Esther, FL; grandchildren, Colleen Barrett, Joseph Dunn, Jared Dunn, and Kate Halenar; nephews; and nieces. She was predeceased by brothers, Joseph Jabbo and John Jabbo and sister, Rose Stricek. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Monday, March 25 in St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua. Interment in St. Jerome Cemetery, Lombard Street, Tamaqua will follow the mass. Call 9-10:30 AM on Monday at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad Street, Tamaqua. Memorials in Mildred’s name may be made to the memorial fund of the The Parish of St. John XXIII, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252 OR a charity of choice. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Carolyn B. Mueller, 102, of Palm Bay, Fla., and Pottsville, passed away Friday, March 15, at Schuylkill Center.
Born in Philadelphia, June 27, 1916, she was a daughter of the late Jay and Caroline Lamb Bright.
Carolyn graduated from Haverford High School in 1934, and attended Drexel University, majoring in home economics.
She was a homemaker, real estate agent, and owned and operated a guest house, "The Belvidere," in Cape May, N.J., for 15 years with her husband, Bill, which was previously operated by her late mother.
Some of her notable accomplishments include being employed by the federal government during World War II to teach home canning techniques, being active in the League of Women Voters, hosting former UN Secretary U Thant at a dinner in Lansdale and winning local awards for her landscape paintings. In recent years, she was an active member of the Pottsville Allied Artists.
Carolyn enjoyed many activities, including painting, playing bridge, bible study, reading, listening to music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. We will remember her warmth, her quick wit, her intelligence and her love of a picturesque, oceanside view.
In addition to her parents, Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, William G. Mueller, with whom she shared 64 years of marriage until his death in 1999; as well as her sons, Frederick and Robert Mueller.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol McGuigan, wife of Bob, Pottsville; grandchildren, Susan McGuigan and Sandra O'Brien, Pottsville, Michelle and Monica Mueller, Seattle, Wash., Zach and Max Mueller, Newark, Del.; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 13, at First United Methodist Church, Pottsville, with Pastor John Wallace officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service April 13 at the church. Interment will be privately held at the family's convenience. At the family's request, memorial donations in Carolyn's name may be made to a charity of the donor's choice or to Habitat for Humanity. Checks can be made payable to Habitat for Humanity International and mailed to 322 W. Lamar St., Americus, Georgia 31709-3543.
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Mabel V. Umbenhauer, 96, of Pine Grove, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the Tremont Health and Rehab Center.
Born on December 23, 1922, in Pine Grove, she was a daughter of the late Cleveland and Elizabeth Zerbe Zerbe.
Mabel was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Pine Grove.
She worked as a Seamstress for Canoe.
Mabel loved her family and loved spending time with them.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Allen "Fat" Umbenhauer, on June 5, 2003, two sons, Robert Umbenhauer and Allen Umbenhauer Jr.; six sisters, Dorothy Nagle, Carrie Zimmerman, Thelma Hubler, Emma Kohr, Clara Schierer and Irene Anspach; four brothers, Robert Zerbe, Cleveland "Batch" Zerbe, Harry Zerbe, Melvin Fidler.
Surviving are two daughters, Lorraine Shelters and Alice Aungst; a son, Eugene "Utch" Umbenhauer, all of Pine Grove; 4 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove with Pastor Barry Spatz officiating. There will be a viewing on Saturday, March 23, from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Jacob's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Parkinson's Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305, in her memory.
You may send condolences to the family at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com.
Charles F. “ Charlie “ Gownley, 72, Mahanoy Plane, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning at his residence with his family at his side.
Born in Ashland he was a son of the late Francis and Joan Collins Gownley. He had been last employed by Reading Anthracite until his retirement.
You may send condolences to the family at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com.
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Born in Ashland he was a son of the late Francis and Joan Collins Gownley. He had been last employed by Reading Anthracite until his retirement.
He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville, life member of the Frackville American Legion Post #398 and the Ancient Order of Hibernians Jack Kehoe Division 1, Girardville.
Charlie was a 1964 graduate of Mahanoy Area and served in the US Army during the Viet Nam War.
A true family man there was nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. Charlie was well known for his Irish Wit always ready with a joke or a story. He always greeted everyone with his big smile and a witty gesture.
He was preceded in death by a brother and sister; JoAnn and Terrence Gownley and by his step-father Jerry O’Connor.
Charlie is survived by his wife Helen Kerrigan Gownley, with whom he would have celebrated 50 years of marriage in June, his two daughters; Erin wife of Dr. Frank Blozusky and Amy wife of Joel Digris both of Frackville, his brother Bob and his wife Margaret Mary Gownley, Frackville, his two sisters; Mary Fran Zack and Cathy Hannon both of Mahanoy Plane, his cherished grandchildren; Katie and Frank Blozusky, Abbey, Kerrigan, Ella and Nora Digris also by several nieces and nephews.
A true family man there was nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. Charlie was well known for his Irish Wit always ready with a joke or a story. He always greeted everyone with his big smile and a witty gesture.
He was preceded in death by a brother and sister; JoAnn and Terrence Gownley and by his step-father Jerry O’Connor.
Charlie is survived by his wife Helen Kerrigan Gownley, with whom he would have celebrated 50 years of marriage in June, his two daughters; Erin wife of Dr. Frank Blozusky and Amy wife of Joel Digris both of Frackville, his brother Bob and his wife Margaret Mary Gownley, Frackville, his two sisters; Mary Fran Zack and Cathy Hannon both of Mahanoy Plane, his cherished grandchildren; Katie and Frank Blozusky, Abbey, Kerrigan, Ella and Nora Digris also by several nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Frackville with Rev. Brian Miller, pastor, as the celebrant. Interment will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Englewood, Frackville. Friends may call at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville, on Sunday from 6 until 8 p.m. and on Monday morning at St. Ann’s Church from 10 a.m. until time of mass.
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