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Peter Vernalis, 77, of Shenandoah Heights, passed away on Monday, July 8th at the Reading Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 18th, 1941 in Allentown to the late Peter A. and Mary “Logothetides” Vernalis.
Peter was a 1960 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School and then the Mcann’s School of Business. SFC Peter Vernalis was a veteran of the United States Army having served for 23 years in Co. C 6BN 68 Armor. He was the former owner of Vernalis Restaurant in Shenandoah, and was active in the business community serving as President of the Shenandoah Merchants Assn, a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce, Co-Founder of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Memorial, Past President of the Shenandoah Heights Fire Co. #1, a member of the former Shenandoah AMVETS, and he was honored as the 2018 Grand Marshall of the Shenandoah Heritage Day Parade of Nations.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Charlotte A. Vernalis, their 2 children, Lisa Vernalis and Michael Vernalis, both of Shenandoah, his sister, Dr. Marina Vernalis of Silver Spring, Md, and nieces and nephews.
Private Military Interment will take place on Tuesday, July 16th at the Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery - Annville, Pa
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Peter’s memory be made to: Downtown Shenandoah Inc. (DSI), 116 N. Main St, Shenandoah, Pa 17976
Peter was a 1960 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School and then the Mcann’s School of Business. SFC Peter Vernalis was a veteran of the United States Army having served for 23 years in Co. C 6BN 68 Armor. He was the former owner of Vernalis Restaurant in Shenandoah, and was active in the business community serving as President of the Shenandoah Merchants Assn, a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce, Co-Founder of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Memorial, Past President of the Shenandoah Heights Fire Co. #1, a member of the former Shenandoah AMVETS, and he was honored as the 2018 Grand Marshall of the Shenandoah Heritage Day Parade of Nations.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Charlotte A. Vernalis, their 2 children, Lisa Vernalis and Michael Vernalis, both of Shenandoah, his sister, Dr. Marina Vernalis of Silver Spring, Md, and nieces and nephews.
Private Military Interment will take place on Tuesday, July 16th at the Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery - Annville, Pa
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Peter’s memory be made to: Downtown Shenandoah Inc. (DSI), 116 N. Main St, Shenandoah, Pa 17976
Jason Patrick Fanelli, 39, of Ashland, PA passed away suddenly July 4, 2019 in Ashland.
Born October 18, 1979 in Ashland where he then lived most of his life.
He was raised by his loving grandmother, Sandra Cooney, Ashland, along with his mother Lori, and aunts and uncles. Jason has two children, Chase Fanelli and Dillon Fanelli both living in the area and many cousins.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc., Ashland is in charge of the arrangements.
Charles Heizenroth III, Supervisor.
Charles Heizenroth III, Supervisor.
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Virginia A. Balsavage, 67, Girardville, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Sunday evening.
Born in Ashland, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Olga Chickersky Beneshunas. She was self employed as a beautician in Girardville for many years before working at City Shirt, Frackville until her retirement.
She was a member of the former St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, Girardville now worship site of St. Charles Borromeo Parish.
Virginia enjoyed outdoor sporting events including boating and riding motorcycles.
She is survived by her brother Michael Beneshunas, Girardville; her fiancé Wally Hause, Girardville and her loving boxer dog, Dylan; Also several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
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Pearl Donchak died on Sunday July 7, 2019, at the home of her daughter, Diane, in Brooklyn, New York. She was 98 years old.
Pearl, the daughter of Wassil and Pearl (Falatovich) Chelak, was born August 14, 1920, in Park Place, PA, one of twelve children. She graduated from Mahanoy Township High School in 1938. Following the end of WWII, she married Peter Donchak of Frackville, PA, and settled in Brooklyn, NY. They raised four children together.
Pearl worked as a sales associate for the Beechnut Company in Brooklyn, NY and later spent 20 years working at Abraham and Straus Co. (Macy’s) department store. Pearl was a member of the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for over sixty years. She enjoyed bowling with a league in Sunset Park and was a member of the Bay Ridge Center. Pearl was an avid cook and will be remembered for her traditional holiday meals. Although she spent many years in New York, Pearl always considered herself a “country girl from Pennsylvania”. Her fondest memories involved family celebrations surrounded by her loved ones.
Pearl was preceded in death by her husband Peter Donchak on July 22, 2011.
Surviving are two daughters Diane Donchak of Brooklyn, NY; Lisa Donchak of New York, NY; two sons Peter J. Donchak and his wife Mary of East Windsor, NJ; John Donchak and his wife Geri of Chicago, IL; eight grandchildren Jillian Kashner, Meaghan, Peter, Caitlyn, John and Andrew Donchak, Alexandra and Sophia Capellini; two sisters Anna Homa and Nancy Hill, nieces and nephews.
Divine Liturgy will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday July 13, 2019 from St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 45 S. Second St. Frackville, PA 17931 with Rev. Petro Zvarych officiating. Friends may call on Friday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM as well as Saturday from 8:30AM -9:30 AM at Nice- Hart Funeral Home, Inc. 9 N. Lehigh Ave. Frackville, PA 7931. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church Memorial Fund at the above address and Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life threatening illnesses and their families, 35 Acadia Road, Casco, ME 04015. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Frackville.
Pearl, the daughter of Wassil and Pearl (Falatovich) Chelak, was born August 14, 1920, in Park Place, PA, one of twelve children. She graduated from Mahanoy Township High School in 1938. Following the end of WWII, she married Peter Donchak of Frackville, PA, and settled in Brooklyn, NY. They raised four children together.
Pearl worked as a sales associate for the Beechnut Company in Brooklyn, NY and later spent 20 years working at Abraham and Straus Co. (Macy’s) department store. Pearl was a member of the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for over sixty years. She enjoyed bowling with a league in Sunset Park and was a member of the Bay Ridge Center. Pearl was an avid cook and will be remembered for her traditional holiday meals. Although she spent many years in New York, Pearl always considered herself a “country girl from Pennsylvania”. Her fondest memories involved family celebrations surrounded by her loved ones.
Pearl was preceded in death by her husband Peter Donchak on July 22, 2011.
Surviving are two daughters Diane Donchak of Brooklyn, NY; Lisa Donchak of New York, NY; two sons Peter J. Donchak and his wife Mary of East Windsor, NJ; John Donchak and his wife Geri of Chicago, IL; eight grandchildren Jillian Kashner, Meaghan, Peter, Caitlyn, John and Andrew Donchak, Alexandra and Sophia Capellini; two sisters Anna Homa and Nancy Hill, nieces and nephews.
Divine Liturgy will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday July 13, 2019 from St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 45 S. Second St. Frackville, PA 17931 with Rev. Petro Zvarych officiating. Friends may call on Friday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM as well as Saturday from 8:30AM -9:30 AM at Nice- Hart Funeral Home, Inc. 9 N. Lehigh Ave. Frackville, PA 7931. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church Memorial Fund at the above address and Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life threatening illnesses and their families, 35 Acadia Road, Casco, ME 04015. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Frackville.
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Andrea M. Kovalewski RN, age 62, of Ringtown, Passed away Tuesday morning in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family.
Born at the former Locust Mountain Hospital she was the daughter of the late John and Caroline (Pryga) Felegi.
She was a 1975 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School and also the Ashland Hospital School of Nursing. She had been employed as a home health care nurse and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ringtown. She was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and Penn State football. She also enjoyed local high school sports.
Survivors include her husband Michael, a son Christopher Kovalewski and a daughter Melissa Kovalewski, 2 grandchildren Nicolai and Tayden, cousins, Godchildren and friends. All services will be private. Expressions of your sympathy can be directed to the family to establish and education fund for her grandchildren. David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.jarrettfuneralhome.com for more information.
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These Obituaries are brought to you by
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