Friday, October 18, 2019

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 10/18/19


Schuylkill County Obituaries for 10/18/19

-----------------------------------------------------

On Tuesday, October 15, 2019, Thomas Eugene (“Jug”) Edwards, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 94.

Thomas was born on April 17, 1925 in Newkirk, PA. Thomas served this country heroically in combat in World War II as part of the 3rd Marine Division. He was severely wounded during the invasion of Bougainville in the South Pacific on November 1, 1943 at the age of 18. His older brother, John Daniel Edwards, was killed in action in the US Navy in August of the same year. Thomas married Ruth Lois Oliver on June 2, 1951. They raised three children, Thomas John, Ruth Ann and Daniel Eugene. Thomas was a dedicated provider and protector of his family. Despite his lifelong disability due to war wounds, he was able to continue his passions for hunting, fishing and golf. He was able to “shoot his age” at Mahoning Valley Public Golf Course from the age of 66 every year until he was 82. Later in life, he took up woodworking and enjoyed making furniture from local Pennsylvania hard woods for friends and family. He passed on his woodworking tools and passion to his son. Thomas loved the outdoors and enjoyed “going for rides” on the beautiful country roads surrounding the Tamaqua area. He was a proud resident of the coal region and delighted to entertain his friends with humor and stories from his amazing memory of his life and experience as coal miner. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth, his brother John (“Turk”), and his sister Margaret Mary.

He is survived by his sisters, Patricia Hess and her husband William and Eugenia Praskac, his brother Edward (“Ted”) Edwards and his wife Sharon, his children Thomas John Edwards and his wife Edie, Ruth Rapposelli and her husband Tom Rapposelli, and Daniel Edwards and wife Janet, his grandchildren, Jana DeMarcelle, Kyle Rapposelli and his wife Teresa, Lenora Edwards and Jesse Rose Edwards and his great grandchildren Giana DeMarcelle and Grace Diane Rapposelli.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Thomas’ second family on Gay Street for whom he cared deeply.

Memorial services will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua with The Rev. Cindy White officiating. Call 10-11 AM on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials in Thomas’s name may be made to the Lebanon Veterans Affairs, Attention: Volunteer Services, 1700 South Lincoln Avenue, Lebanon, PA 17042. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.


-----------------------------------------------------

Gloria May (Clapps) Dominitis, 87 of 100 S. Main St., Shenandoah passed away late Tuesday evening, October 15, 2019 at the Shenandoah Senior Living Community.

Born in Wilkes-Barre on May 25, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Eugene and Jane (Harzynski) Clapps.

Gloria was a 1950 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah and a 1954 graduate of Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance.

She was a member of the former St. George’s Church, Shenandoah.

Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband, Robert G. Dominitis on March 12, 2006 and her brother-in-law, Albert J. Lewullis.

Surviving are one daughter, Linda Dominitis of Shen­andoah; one son, Robert “Bob” Dominitis of Shenandoah, one granddaughter, Amber Dominitis of Florida; one sister, Patricia Lewullis of Blue Bell; nieces and nephews and their families.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

David D. Jarrett Funeral Home, Mahanoy City, is in charge of arrangements.

-----------------------------------------------------

Randy "Red Mutt" Sweigard, 65, of Tower City, formerly of Halifax, passed away Friday, October 18th.

Born in Halifax, July 9, 1954, a son of Betty P. Sweigard, Tower City and the late Charles Sweigard.

Randy attended Halifax High School. He was previously employed as warehouse laborer and a truck driver.

He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hiking; He loved spending time on his motorcycle and riding with his son.

In addition to his father he was preceded by his brother, Richard.

Surviving in addition to his mother, he will be sadly missed by his son, Isaac E. Sweigard, Halifax; brothers, Wayne Sweigard, Tower City; Kim Sweigard, Treverton, Timothy and Scott Sweigard, both of Tower City; his former wife, Brenda Warner, Halifax.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 24th at 7 pm from the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc, Tower City. Viewing will be from 6-7 at the funeral home. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 644 E. Grand Ave. Tower City PA 17980, to help with expenses. To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfunerhaome.com

-----------------------------------------------------

Doris C. Schaeffer, 90, of Williamstown, passed away Thursday, October 17th at her home.

Born in Lykens, October 11, 1929, a daughter of the late Albert Miller and Maude Woods.

Doris was a graduate of the former Williamstown High School.

She retired from the former Bestok garment factory, Tower City.

Doris was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Williamstown where she belonged to the choir and Parish Council of Catholic Women.

She enjoyed crocheting, doing crossword puzzles and gardening. Her family meant the world to her and enjoyed spending time with them.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Schaeffer, Sr., 2003.

Surviving are her four children, George J. Schaeffer, Jr., Williamstown; Kenneth L. Schaeffer (Cheryl), Williamstown; Cheryl Long (Paul), Tower City and Carol Maurer (Paul), Williamstown; six grandchildren, Mike Long, Jayme Schaeffer, Carmen Moore, Mandy, Kyle and Kent Schaeffer; two great grandsons, Carter Moore and Chael Myers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated Wednesday, October 23rd at 11:00 am from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Williamstown with Rev. Michael Opaki as celebrant. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Viewing will be from 10-11 am at the church. Memorial donations in memory of Doris should be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, c/o Parish Office, 732 Main Street, Lykens, PA 17048. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements. To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com

-----------------------------------------------------

Gerald L. Gilbert, 73, of Hegins, passed away Tuesday at the Hershey Medical Center.

Born in San Bernardino, CA, February 8, 1946, a son of the late William and Ruby Steele Gilbert.

He was a 1964 graduate of Tri-Valley High School.

He retired after 33 years of service as a security officer with the Polyclinic Pinnacle Health, Harrisburg.

Gerald was an avid outdoorsman in his younger years, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed watching NASCAR, football, baseball and old TV shows. He could often be found sitting on his back deck with his best buddy, his dog, Maggie.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Dustin and a great grandchild.

Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Connie Adams Gilbert; four children, John Gilbert (Sandi), Lansford; Terri Hoffman (Richard), Lancaster; Cheryl Reeder, Elizabethville and Cindy Gilbert, Lykens; 11 grandchildren 4 Great Grandchildren; two sisters Kathy Miller (Dallas), Hegins and Alice Gustitus (Vince), Lebanon. Nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, October 22nd at 11:00 am from the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc. Tower City, with Rev. Carl Shankweiler. Burial will be in the Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco. Visitation will be from 10-11 at the funeral home. Please omit flowers, donations should 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

-----------------------------------------------------

Ella L Reed, age 91, of Providence Place, Pine Grove, formerly of Johnstown, passed away Friday, October 18, 2019 at her residence.

She was born on Friday, February 10, 1928, in Johnstown, a daughter of the late James Collins and the late Margaret Wagner Collins.

She was a 1947 graduate of the former Greater Johnstown Area High School.

Ella was a school bus driver for Richland Twp School District; she also was the bookkeeper for her late husbands service station in Johnstown and a Notary Public.

She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Johnstown, where she was active in the Missionary Outreach Program.

Ella was a former member of the Solomon Run Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and the VFW Post 7524 Ladies Auxiliary of South Fork.

Her husband William S Reed, Sr passed away in 2010. She was also preceded in death by her parents; by a brother, James Collins; a sister, Linda Knipple; and her best friend, Eva Vrobel.

She is survived by two sons, William S Reed, Jr and his wife Monica of Camp Hill, and Leo Kim Reed and his wife Connie of Hegins; a daughter, Michele A Siplivy and her husband Gary of Shermans Dale; a grandson, Todd Reed and his wife Kristin; five granddaughters, Shannon Rogers and her husband Greg, Brooke Ward and her husband Matt, Jennifer Renninger and her husband Jason, Julia Reed, and Katie Siplivy; five great-grandchildren, Peyton, Brighton, and Everett Renninger, and Charlotte and Sawyer Reed; and by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, on Friday, October 25, 2019, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Curtis Zemencik officiating.

A viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday at the funeral home.

Burial will be made in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

Memorial contributions can be made to Compassus Hospice, 1001 James Drive, Suite B34, Leesport PA 19533.

Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.

-----------------------------------------------------

These Obituaries are brought to you by

Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory INC.