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George J. Harris, 84, of Ashland, passed away Thursday morning at his residence with his family by his side.
Born and raised in Fountain Springs, he was a son of the late Harold J. Harrris and the late Ruth L Muenker Harris Tyson.
He graduated for the former Butler Township High School, class of 1953; he received his Bachelors of Science degree from Temple University and a Master Degree in Education from Penn State University.
He was a U.S. Army veteran having served with the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. He attained the rank of Corporal and played trumpet with the division band.
He was first employed, as a machinist at various machine shops in Bucks County; he returned to the area in 1960 and became the Machine Shop teacher at the South Vo-Tech Campus, Minersville; continuing his own education, he became Principle and Co-Op Coordinator of both North and South Vo-Tech Campus.
George was an active member of the Simpson United Methodist Church, Gordon; having been involved in many church functions; He was also a member of the F&AM Masonic Lodge 294, Ashland; B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #2613, Ashland; Ashland Historical Society; Broad Mountain Archery Club; the #1033 Gun Club, Catawissa and the American Legion Post 575, Valley View.
In addition to his parents, a brother, Rodney Harris, preceded him in death in 2000.
George is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan M. Maurer Harris, Ashland; they were married, April 19, 1958 in the First Congregational Church, Mt. Carmel; also surviving; three sons; Carey Harris and wife Carolyn, Madison, AL; Craig Harris and wife Leslie, Ashland and R. Chris Harris; Thompson, OH; a daughter; Dianna Corcoran and husband Rob, Sr., Aristes; twelve grandchildren; Jennifer Nguyen (Steve), Christina Owens (Josh), Melissa Harris, Christopher Harris, Nicole Harris, Kyle Harris (Abby), Kacie Harris, Amanda Harris, Brianna Harris, Caitlyn Harris, Rob Corcoran, Jr. and Kelsey Corcoran; 11 great-grandchildren; and nieces.
Religious Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 12, 2019 in Simpson United Methodist Church, Gordon, with Pastor Susan Hocking, as celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation with family from 9:00 a.m. till time of Service, at the church, Monday. Interment with military honors will be in Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in George’s name to the Simpson United Methodist Church, 119 Biddle St., Gordon, PA 17936 or the charity of your choice.
Born and raised in Fountain Springs, he was a son of the late Harold J. Harrris and the late Ruth L Muenker Harris Tyson.
He graduated for the former Butler Township High School, class of 1953; he received his Bachelors of Science degree from Temple University and a Master Degree in Education from Penn State University.
He was a U.S. Army veteran having served with the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. He attained the rank of Corporal and played trumpet with the division band.
He was first employed, as a machinist at various machine shops in Bucks County; he returned to the area in 1960 and became the Machine Shop teacher at the South Vo-Tech Campus, Minersville; continuing his own education, he became Principle and Co-Op Coordinator of both North and South Vo-Tech Campus.
George was an active member of the Simpson United Methodist Church, Gordon; having been involved in many church functions; He was also a member of the F&AM Masonic Lodge 294, Ashland; B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #2613, Ashland; Ashland Historical Society; Broad Mountain Archery Club; the #1033 Gun Club, Catawissa and the American Legion Post 575, Valley View.
In addition to his parents, a brother, Rodney Harris, preceded him in death in 2000.
George is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan M. Maurer Harris, Ashland; they were married, April 19, 1958 in the First Congregational Church, Mt. Carmel; also surviving; three sons; Carey Harris and wife Carolyn, Madison, AL; Craig Harris and wife Leslie, Ashland and R. Chris Harris; Thompson, OH; a daughter; Dianna Corcoran and husband Rob, Sr., Aristes; twelve grandchildren; Jennifer Nguyen (Steve), Christina Owens (Josh), Melissa Harris, Christopher Harris, Nicole Harris, Kyle Harris (Abby), Kacie Harris, Amanda Harris, Brianna Harris, Caitlyn Harris, Rob Corcoran, Jr. and Kelsey Corcoran; 11 great-grandchildren; and nieces.
Religious Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 12, 2019 in Simpson United Methodist Church, Gordon, with Pastor Susan Hocking, as celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation with family from 9:00 a.m. till time of Service, at the church, Monday. Interment with military honors will be in Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in George’s name to the Simpson United Methodist Church, 119 Biddle St., Gordon, PA 17936 or the charity of your choice.
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Joseph J. Robel, 83, of Sheppton, passed away on Thursday, August 8th at the Sylvania Center in Ohio.
Born in Sheppton on September 7th, 1935, he was the son of the late Stephen and Anna “Kanish” Robel.
He was veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean Conflict. A welder by trade, he worked for Foster – Wheeler and Eagle Rock until his retirement. Joseph was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Sheppton, a member of the American Legion Post #616 in Sheppton and a member of the V.F.W. in West Hazleton.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy “Paisley” Robel, who passed away in 2015. Also preceding is 1 son, Stephen Robel, 1 daughter, Christine Cieniawa, 2 brothers, Stephen and Daniel Robel, and 1 sister, Mary Spagnolletti.
Surviving are 1 son, Joseph Robel with his wife Libbi, Michigan, 2 daughters, Denise Mensinger with her husband Mark, Sheppton and Darlene Novak, Hazleton. 4 sisters, Matilda Flaim, Katherine Lorenz, Theresa Walters, and Dorothy Meister. 6 grandchildren, Candice, Mark, Brian, Zachary, Haylee, and Harzel, 2 great grandchildren, Briana and Nicholas, nieces and nephews also survive.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 13th at 11am in St. Joseph’s Church, 14 E. Oak St, Sheppton, Pa, with Fr. Dominick Pham officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held at the church on Tuesday morning from 10 to 11am. Burial will follow Mass in St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery, Sheppton.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the American Legion Post #616, 949 Main St, Sheppton, Pa, 18248, or the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)
The Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah is handling the arrangements.
Michael F. Grady Jr., 67, Girardville, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday at his residence.
Born in Ashland, he was a son of Rose Beenick Grady and the late Michael F. Grady Sr. He worked as a diesel mechanic and later as a security guard for Keystone Chemical Company until his retirement.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister Geraldine Grady.
Mike is survived by his mother Rose Grady; his two sons: Michael F. Grady III and Mark Grady; his daughter, Lisa Grady; a brother, Allen Grady; a sister, Janet Balsavage; his four grandchildren: Michael T., Mason, Tyler and Emily Grady; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family.
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Elizabeth Kroh, 80, of Market Street, Ashland, passed away Thursday August 8th at Shenandoah Manor Nursing Center. Born in Pattersonville, June 22, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Stanislaw and Anna Gudelski Kowaleski. She was a graduate of the former Conyngham Township high School, class of 1957, and a member of St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, Ashland. She was a sewing machine operator, retiring from Villa Fashions, Shenandoah.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Eugene Kroh, passing June 5, 2011, sisters, Anna, Rose, and Pauline, also brothers, Stanley, Joseph, and Charles.
Survivors
Son: Stanley Kroh, Ashland
Brother: Walter Kowaleski, Catawissa.
Two Dogs: Abbey and Dixie
Nieces and Nephews
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral prayer service, Wednesday, August 14, at 11:30AM in the Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, 1323 Centre St., Ashland. Officiating will be Rev. Christopher Zelonis, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Lehighton. Interment will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. A viewing will take place 10:30 AM until service.
The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of arrangements.
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