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Kathleen Rafferty, 90, Frackville, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Frackville, she was a daughter of the late William and Julia Stank Robbins.
She was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish Frackville.
Kathleen was known to many as Grammerz and enjoyed spending her time with family. She loved doing word search books and spending time in the kitchen making pierogies.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, William Schappell in 1974 and Donald Rafferty in 1999; her two sons: William and Ronald Schappell; her sister Jeanette Stickler; her two brothers: James and Gerald Robbins.
Kathleen is survived by her daughter Trish and her husband Paul Yagielniskie, Frackville; her five grandchildren: Heather Radar, William Schappell, Jenna Lindenmuth, Ashley and Scott Yagielniskie; her four great-grandchildren, her beloved dog, Linnie and many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday January 22nd at St. Joseph the Worker Parish (St. Ann’s) at 49 N. Line Street Frackville with pastor, Rev. Brian Miller as the celebrant. Friends are invited to call at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
Born in Frackville, she was a daughter of the late William and Julia Stank Robbins.
She was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish Frackville.
Kathleen was known to many as Grammerz and enjoyed spending her time with family. She loved doing word search books and spending time in the kitchen making pierogies.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, William Schappell in 1974 and Donald Rafferty in 1999; her two sons: William and Ronald Schappell; her sister Jeanette Stickler; her two brothers: James and Gerald Robbins.
Kathleen is survived by her daughter Trish and her husband Paul Yagielniskie, Frackville; her five grandchildren: Heather Radar, William Schappell, Jenna Lindenmuth, Ashley and Scott Yagielniskie; her four great-grandchildren, her beloved dog, Linnie and many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday January 22nd at St. Joseph the Worker Parish (St. Ann’s) at 49 N. Line Street Frackville with pastor, Rev. Brian Miller as the celebrant. Friends are invited to call at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
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Melvin Klingaman 74 years of age, of All Kings Drive New Ringgold passed away peacefully while in the care of his sister Deelight Mongrain and her husband Clifford with whom he resided.
Born in Allentown the son of the late Stella (Acker) Homan and Charles Klingaman. He was also predeceased by his step father, Bright Homan and son Melvin Klingaman, Jr.
Melvin is survived by many nieces and nephews. He was a delivery driver for Winn Outlets of Reading, and enjoyed watching sports.
Private arrangements entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services of 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884
online registry and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Benjamin H. Stahl, 86, of Clarks Valley, Tower City, passed away early Thursday morning at his home.
Born in Clarks Valley, January 27, 1933, a son of the late Hilbert and Margaret Hossler Stahl.
Ben was a 1951 graduate of Porter Township High School. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War.
He was a retired electronic equipment specialist from the Mechanicsburg Navy Depot.
Ben was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tower City where he formerly served on the council and was superintendant of the Sunday schools. He had previously been active with the Williams Valley Football Boosters.
He was a lifetime member of the NRA, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and being outside. He took great pride in gardening and working around his home.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters; Faye Leitzel, June Sturm, and Grace Gaffney, brothers; Jack, Russel and Claude Stahl.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Jane Bressler Stahl; two sons, Keith Stahl, Ft. Knox, Kentucky and Gregory Stahl and his wife Denise, Halifax; three grandchildren he was very proud of, Bryan Stahl, Scheanly and Alyssa Stahl; a sister, Mary Lou Shutt, Harrisburg. Nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, January 22nd at 11:00 am from St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tower City with Brian Beissel. Visitation will be from 10-11 at the church. Following the service a luncheon and time of fellowship will held in the church social hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his church, 419 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City PA 17980. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements. To sign the guestbook visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
Born in Clarks Valley, January 27, 1933, a son of the late Hilbert and Margaret Hossler Stahl.
Ben was a 1951 graduate of Porter Township High School. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War.
He was a retired electronic equipment specialist from the Mechanicsburg Navy Depot.
Ben was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tower City where he formerly served on the council and was superintendant of the Sunday schools. He had previously been active with the Williams Valley Football Boosters.
He was a lifetime member of the NRA, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and being outside. He took great pride in gardening and working around his home.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters; Faye Leitzel, June Sturm, and Grace Gaffney, brothers; Jack, Russel and Claude Stahl.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Jane Bressler Stahl; two sons, Keith Stahl, Ft. Knox, Kentucky and Gregory Stahl and his wife Denise, Halifax; three grandchildren he was very proud of, Bryan Stahl, Scheanly and Alyssa Stahl; a sister, Mary Lou Shutt, Harrisburg. Nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, January 22nd at 11:00 am from St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tower City with Brian Beissel. Visitation will be from 10-11 at the church. Following the service a luncheon and time of fellowship will held in the church social hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his church, 419 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City PA 17980. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements. To sign the guestbook visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
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Anna May (Marcinko) Rettzo, 81 a resident of Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Shenadoah Heights passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Born in Hazleton on May 13, 1938 she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Mary (Podelko) Marcinko.
She was a graduate of Hazleton High School.
Prior to her retirement, Anna May was employed in food preparation at the Shenandoah Senior Center.
She was of the Catholic faith. Anna May enjoyed polkas and was a big fan of Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra.
Surviving are three daughters, Jennifer Koncsler and her husband Keith of Shenandoah, Janet Macker of Shenandoah and Mary Ann Spevak and her husband Donald of Hazleton; two sons, James Rettzo, Jr. of Mahanoy City and Robert Zahay of Drums; two granddaughters, Lilianna Rettzo and Christina Spevak; one grandson, Donald Spevak; nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband, James “Jimmy” Rettzo and two brothers.
Polka DancersReligious services will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 10:00 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Rev. Mindy Heppe will officiate. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. A visitation will be held on Tuesday morning from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at the funeral home.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert W. “Bob” Kane, 73 of Shenandoah formerly of Gilberton passed away on Friday morning, January 17, 2020 at his residence.
He was born on September 28, 1946 at the former Ashland State General Hospital to the late James and Helen (Heaton) Kane.
Bob was a 1964 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School. He attended Shippensburg University and college in Boston for radio broadcasting.
He was a decorated veteran having honorably served his country in the Army while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas during the Vietnam era. He received the Expert Rifle Medal, the First Class Gunner Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Throughout his life, Bob was employed in newspaper advertising, which spanned a 39 year career. He first worked at the former Record American in Mahanoy City, then for the former Shenandoah Evening Herald and lastly for the Republican Herald where he worked in both the Shenandoah and Pottsville offices until his retirement. He also had a cooking show on WPAM and WMBT; he loved trying recipes as he was very knowledgeable in the art of cooking and was always ready to try something new. Bob was an avid sports fan and hosted sports programs on WMBT.
Even though Bob was a native of Gilberton, he truly loved Shenandoah. He joined Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. in 2004 and was a member of the Promotions Committee. He then became Vice-President of the organization. He was instrumental in starting the craft show that was held during the Coal Cracker 10K Run. Within the Promotions Committee, he planned Octoberfest. DSI’s famous soup sale was another one of his ideas to help the organization; he not only made soup, but would also deliver it to shut-ins. He was a major part of Kielbasi Festival, the Kielbasi Pierogie Golf Tournament and Heritage Day. He especially enjoyed volunteering for the annual Coal Cracker Christmas where he was known for playing Bob Cratchit in the Dickens vignettes and also assisted with the horse drawn trolley. He was always eager to help with any project; nothing was ever too much for him.
Born in Hazleton on May 13, 1938 she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Mary (Podelko) Marcinko.
She was a graduate of Hazleton High School.
Prior to her retirement, Anna May was employed in food preparation at the Shenandoah Senior Center.
She was of the Catholic faith. Anna May enjoyed polkas and was a big fan of Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra.
Surviving are three daughters, Jennifer Koncsler and her husband Keith of Shenandoah, Janet Macker of Shenandoah and Mary Ann Spevak and her husband Donald of Hazleton; two sons, James Rettzo, Jr. of Mahanoy City and Robert Zahay of Drums; two granddaughters, Lilianna Rettzo and Christina Spevak; one grandson, Donald Spevak; nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband, James “Jimmy” Rettzo and two brothers.
Polka DancersReligious services will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 10:00 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Rev. Mindy Heppe will officiate. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. A visitation will be held on Tuesday morning from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at the funeral home.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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He was born on September 28, 1946 at the former Ashland State General Hospital to the late James and Helen (Heaton) Kane.
Bob was a 1964 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School. He attended Shippensburg University and college in Boston for radio broadcasting.
He was a decorated veteran having honorably served his country in the Army while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas during the Vietnam era. He received the Expert Rifle Medal, the First Class Gunner Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Throughout his life, Bob was employed in newspaper advertising, which spanned a 39 year career. He first worked at the former Record American in Mahanoy City, then for the former Shenandoah Evening Herald and lastly for the Republican Herald where he worked in both the Shenandoah and Pottsville offices until his retirement. He also had a cooking show on WPAM and WMBT; he loved trying recipes as he was very knowledgeable in the art of cooking and was always ready to try something new. Bob was an avid sports fan and hosted sports programs on WMBT.
Even though Bob was a native of Gilberton, he truly loved Shenandoah. He joined Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. in 2004 and was a member of the Promotions Committee. He then became Vice-President of the organization. He was instrumental in starting the craft show that was held during the Coal Cracker 10K Run. Within the Promotions Committee, he planned Octoberfest. DSI’s famous soup sale was another one of his ideas to help the organization; he not only made soup, but would also deliver it to shut-ins. He was a major part of Kielbasi Festival, the Kielbasi Pierogie Golf Tournament and Heritage Day. He especially enjoyed volunteering for the annual Coal Cracker Christmas where he was known for playing Bob Cratchit in the Dickens vignettes and also assisted with the horse drawn trolley. He was always eager to help with any project; nothing was ever too much for him.
In addition, Bob was president of the Jerry Wolman-Northern Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame which honored athletes at events and banquets from northern Schuylkill county. He was also a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah, the AP Damato Medal of Honor Post 792, and the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society.
HuskersBob was a well-known Nebraska Cornhuskers Husker fan. In addition to the Huskers, Bob rooted for the Philadelphia Flyers and Phillies and the LA Rams. In high school, he played on the baseball team. He also played ball for Babe Ruth the Orange Buds.
He was always ready with a joke and will be missed for his humor. He made people feel comfortable, no matter what the situation. Above all, his family and friends were of most importance to him; they were the joy of his life.
Surviving are his wife of three years, the former Anne Richards; one son, Wesley Jones and his wife Lauren of San Antonio, Texas; one daughter, Ronanne Mejia and her husband Tony of San Antonio, Texas; one grandson, Matthew Harrison of San Antonio, Texas; three brothers, Francis Kane and his wife Judy of Gilberton, William Kane of Gilberton and James Kane of Warminster; one niece, nephews, one great-niece and great-nephew and godson, Gavin Kane. He will also be missed by his pal and pet cat, “Kitty Buddy”.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were his brother, Patrick Kane and his longtime companion and dear friend, Mary Ellen Wychulis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 11:00 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow at 1:00 pm at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. A viewing will be held on Thursday morning from 8:00 am until 10:30 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the DSI, 116 N. Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976 or Jerry Wolman NAC PASHOF, P.O. Box 247, Shenandoah, PA 17976.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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He was always ready with a joke and will be missed for his humor. He made people feel comfortable, no matter what the situation. Above all, his family and friends were of most importance to him; they were the joy of his life.
Surviving are his wife of three years, the former Anne Richards; one son, Wesley Jones and his wife Lauren of San Antonio, Texas; one daughter, Ronanne Mejia and her husband Tony of San Antonio, Texas; one grandson, Matthew Harrison of San Antonio, Texas; three brothers, Francis Kane and his wife Judy of Gilberton, William Kane of Gilberton and James Kane of Warminster; one niece, nephews, one great-niece and great-nephew and godson, Gavin Kane. He will also be missed by his pal and pet cat, “Kitty Buddy”.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were his brother, Patrick Kane and his longtime companion and dear friend, Mary Ellen Wychulis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 11:00 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow at 1:00 pm at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. A viewing will be held on Thursday morning from 8:00 am until 10:30 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the DSI, 116 N. Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976 or Jerry Wolman NAC PASHOF, P.O. Box 247, Shenandoah, PA 17976.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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