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Dorothy D. Kowalonek-RN, 91, of Shenandoah, passed away on Monday, October 21st at the Schuylkill Medical Center – Lehigh Valley East, Pottsville. Born in Shenandoah on August 26th, 1928, she was the daughter of the late James and Mary “Dombroski” Gobster.
Dorothy was a 1947 graduate of Shenandoah Catholic High School and a 1950 graduate of the Pottsville School of Nursing. After nursing school, she furthered her education, studying Polio therapy at Boston Children’s Hospital, then worked in iron lung rehabilitation at Baltimore Hospital, and was last employed in Shenandoah Heights at Riverside Central Rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. Dorothy was a member of the Catholic Nurses Association., the Catholic Daughters, and the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 54 years, Paul Kowalonek in 2006, and 2 brothers, James Gobster Jr. & Paul Gobster.
Dorothy was a 1947 graduate of Shenandoah Catholic High School and a 1950 graduate of the Pottsville School of Nursing. After nursing school, she furthered her education, studying Polio therapy at Boston Children’s Hospital, then worked in iron lung rehabilitation at Baltimore Hospital, and was last employed in Shenandoah Heights at Riverside Central Rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. Dorothy was a member of the Catholic Nurses Association., the Catholic Daughters, and the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 54 years, Paul Kowalonek in 2006, and 2 brothers, James Gobster Jr. & Paul Gobster.
Surviving are three sons, Mark Kowalonek with his wife Linda of Lake Hauto, Joseph Kowalonek with his wife Debi of Ambler, and Thomas Kowalonek with his wife Mary Ann of Auburn; two sisters, Theresa Labosky of Shenandoah and Marlene Klein of North Carolina; six grandchildren, Jillian, Jessica, Luke, Jaclyn, Jared, and Joshua; three great grandchildren, Eric, Violet, and Vayda; and nieces and nephews.
Dorothy lived a life of service, always putting others first, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She loved holding hands with Paul, watching her boys play Villanova and Lehigh football, family vacations at Buehler’s Idlewild, late night chats with her sister Theresa, playing bingo with Jillian, attending Tamaqua sporting events, watching Shenandoah Valley Girls basketball and volleyball games, visiting the twins, visits with her great grandchildren, visits to the casino, reading the paper and collecting articles about her family’s accomplishments, and she always ended her day with her rosary.
Her legacy will live on through her grandchildren, as they now have a very special guardian angel watching over them. We take comfort knowing that she is reunited with her beloved Paul, who took her hand once again and led her to her eternal reward.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 24th at 10am in Divine Mercy Parish, 218 W. Cherry St, Shenandoah officiated by Msgr. Ronald Bocian. A visitation for family and friends will take place in Divine Mercy Parish on Thursday morning from 8am to 10am. Burial will follow mass in Sky- View Memorial Park, Hometown, PA.
Dorothy lived a life of service, always putting others first, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She loved holding hands with Paul, watching her boys play Villanova and Lehigh football, family vacations at Buehler’s Idlewild, late night chats with her sister Theresa, playing bingo with Jillian, attending Tamaqua sporting events, watching Shenandoah Valley Girls basketball and volleyball games, visiting the twins, visits with her great grandchildren, visits to the casino, reading the paper and collecting articles about her family’s accomplishments, and she always ended her day with her rosary.
Her legacy will live on through her grandchildren, as they now have a very special guardian angel watching over them. We take comfort knowing that she is reunited with her beloved Paul, who took her hand once again and led her to her eternal reward.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 24th at 10am in Divine Mercy Parish, 218 W. Cherry St, Shenandoah officiated by Msgr. Ronald Bocian. A visitation for family and friends will take place in Divine Mercy Parish on Thursday morning from 8am to 10am. Burial will follow mass in Sky- View Memorial Park, Hometown, PA.
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Leatrice J. Cockill, 89, of S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2019 at Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon.
Born on February 21, 1930 in Pine Grove, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Joyce Heberling Witmer.
She was a 1947 graduate of Pine Grove High School and a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove.
Leatrice enjoyed bowling and was a member of several leagues that bowled in Pine Grove and Pottsville. She also enjoyed going to the casino.
Preceding her in death were her husband Lester Cockill, brother, Marlin Witmer; great grandson Owen Umbenhauer.
Surviving are a daughter, Linda Umbenhauer of Mechanicsburg; two sons, Michael and wife Gloria Cockill of Pine Grove, Larry and wife Karen Cockill of Union, CT; three grandchildren, Heidi Kreitz, Robert Umbenhauer, and Marlin Cockill; six great grandchildren, Angel, Darrian, Meadow, Willow, Ridge and Kailani; one great great grandchild Bentley.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family with Pastor Stephen Ginder officiating. Interment will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
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Gloria J. Bolton, 82, of Pine Crest Village Dr., Pine Grove, passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2019 at home.
Born on March 31, 1937 in Schuylkill Haven, she was a daughter of the late Henry Bolton and Gladys Walters Bolton.
She was a 1956 graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School.
Gloria was a part time Cafeteria Worker.
She was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove.
Preceding her in death was a brother, Gary Bolton, Sr.
Surviving are three sons, Robert Jr. and wife Kathy Rhen of Bethel, Jon Rhen of Tremont, Jeffrey and wife Brenda Rhen of Pine Grove; six grandchildren, Kelly Rhen, Daniel Rhen, Bryan Rhen, Jesse Rhen, Chrystal Rhen, and Steven Rhen; three great-grandchildren, Austin Rhen, Phoebe Rhen, and Brendan Rhen.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 312 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove with Pastor Barry Spatz officiating. There will be a viewing on Saturday, October 26, 2019, from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the church. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
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David H. Watson, 102, formerly of Silver Spring, MD, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2019 at Providence Place, Pine Grove.
Born on July 15, 1917 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Thomas Jr. and Ethel Houston Watson.
He was TSgt in the Army having served during WWII. He then entered into the USA Reserves and retired with the rank of Captain.
David worked as a Electrical Engineer for the Department of Defense.
He was a member of the Ashton Baptist Church, Ashton Md, Masonic Lodge in Maryland and the Shriners.
Preceding him in death were two brothers, Thomas Watson, III and Reid E. Watson; four sisters, Effie Kelly, Mary Taylor, Katherine (Kitty) Watson, and Rachel Davis.
Surviving are his wife of 72 years G. Naomi White Watson of Pine Grove; two sons, David Jr. and wife Michaelene Watson of Pine Grove, Bruce Watson of Frederick, MD; two grandchildren Michael Watson and Jessica Watson.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove with SALM John Ziegler officiating. There will be a viewing on Thursday, October 24, 2019, from 9:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Ashton Baptist Church, 17826 New Hampshire Ave., Ashton, MD 20861 in his memory.
You may send condolences to the family online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
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Florence H. Bennage, 99, of Tamaqua, PA died on Monday, October 21, 2019 at her residence.
She was the wife of the late Irvin E. Bennage who died October 22, 1959. Born in Frackville, PA, Florence was a daughter of the late Samuel and Carolyn (nee Schaffer) Dampman. A 1938 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she started her working career at the former Wood Brothers Candy Company on Mauch Chunk Street, Tamaqua. Florence later worked in the cafeteria at the Tamaqua High School from where she retired. She was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua, the Tamaqua American Legion Auxiliary, and a social member of both the American Hose Company, Tamaqua and the East End Fire Company, Tamaqua.
Florence is survived by her children, Samuel Bennage of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Harriet Hoffman and her husband Raymond of Tamaqua, Karen Basiago and her husband John of Summit Hill, PA, David Bennage and his companion Gloria of Drifton, PA, and Carol Bennage with whom she resided; grandchildren, Andrea McLaughlin, Stephanie Reyes, Tanya Hall, Susan Fannock, Stephen Hoffman, Christine Rex, John Basiago, Sharon Newton, Jason Bennage, and Justin Bennage; 17 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren; brother, James Dampman and his wife Florence of Palm Harbor, FL; and several nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by daughter-in law, Bernadette (Lehatto) Bennage who was Sam’s wife; brothers, Charles Dampman and Samuel Dampman; and sisters, Dorothy Hill, Grace Behr, and Nancy Couch.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, October 25, 2019 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad Street, Tamaqua with The Rev. Phyllis Wolford officiating.
Interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery will follow the services. Call 6-8 PM on Thursday and 10-11 AM on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials in Florence’s name may be made to either the Tamaqua Fire Department, c/o Tamaqua Borough Offices, 320 E. Broad St. # 2, Tamaqua, PA 18252 OR Tamaqua American Legion, 206 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Born in Harrisburg, December 12, 1946, a daughter of the late Lewis E. and Romaine B. James Bowman.
Leslie was a graduate of the former Lykens High School.
In 2011, she retired after working for 26 years at Boscov's Department Store, Camp Hill, where she was Department Manager.
Leslie was an active member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Reinerton, where she currently served as the church secretary; served as St. Peter's Council Secretary for ten years; served two terms as WELCA, District Schuylkill County Secretary. She volunteered as an Adult Aquasize Teacher at the YMCA, Elizabethville. She also belonged to the EAHS and Gratz Historical Society.
She loved going to the beach since a young girl and enjoyed any beach she would visit. Her most memorable and favorite trip was going out West in 1999 and a trip to Niagara Falls.
Her family was very important to her, her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the highlights of her life. They each could tell a story or two about spending time with Nana/Gram.
Genealogy and family research was a very big and important part of Leslie's life. She met many wonderful people and found new relatives through her research.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Dale Oxenrider; four sons, Scott E. Witmer (Lisa), Orwin; Richard K. Witmer (Theresa), Tower City; Brian L. Witmer, Lykens and Shawn D. Oxenrider, Shippensburg; ten grandchildren, Zachary P. Smeltz; Kayla Y., Alicia A. and Keith R. Witmer; Brandon L. Wagner (Angela); Brittany L. and Courtney E. Oxenrider; Shaylee M. and Ty S. Witmer; Kyle A. Witmer (Mandy). Six great grandchildren, Delaney S. Smeltz; Ayden Z. Reed; Raylen N. Wagner; Kellin R. Witmer; Avery J. Witmer and Braxton L. Rudy; a step-granddaugher, Tessa Zellers (Shane) step great- granddaughter, Laeton.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 26th at 10:00 am from St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Reinerton with Pastor Laura Csellak. Following the services all are invited to a meal and fellowship in the church social hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her church, 1931 Wiconisco Street, Tower City PA 17980, Miles for Michael, 71 Snyder Avenue, Tower City, PA 17980 or St. Judes Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The Dimon Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. has been entrusted with her services. To sign the guestbook visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com.
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