Saturday, January 25, 2020

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 01/24/2020


Schuylkill County Obituaries for 01/24/2020

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

Robert W. Gray, Jr., 86, of Pottsville, formerly of Bloomsburg, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 23rd, at Hospice House of the VNA of St. Luke's, Bethlehem.
Born in Richwood, WV on August 9, 1933, he was a son of the late Robert W. Gray, Sr. & Mabel E. (McClure) Gray.
He was the widower of Joan O. (Schruff) Gray, his wife of 65 years.
In addition to his parents and wife, Bob is also preceded in death by his sons: Robert W. Gray, III, & Jeffrey C. Gray, and his sister, Marjorie Scotti.
He was a graduate of Plainfield High School, Plainfield, NJ.
Bob proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as a radar maintenance technician from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War.
He worked as regional manager at the former Bell Atlantic in the Pottsville & Bloomsburg offices for 33 years.
Bob was a member of St. Columbia Church, Bloomsburg, and attended St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.
He served on the board for Pottsville Rotary Club, Bloomsburg Rotary Club, Southern Schuylkill United Way, Former Pottsville Hospital & Warne Clinic, Crippled Childrens Society, Penn State Schuylkill, Greater Pottsville Industrial Development Council, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Bob was an avid gardener,musician and loved to fish, teaching his grandchildren about the simple things in life. He had the ability to always find the humor in life no matter how tough things got and passed this quality on to his children and grandchildren. A devoted family man, Bob served as the primary medical caregiver to his two sons, and wife throughout many decades and continued to do so during his retirement years. He always extended his hand to those in need even participating in a Humanitarian trip to Hurricane Katrina victims and gave the ultimate gift of love to his son, Bob, in the form of a kidney transplant. He considered his children to be his greatest accomplishment and was a loving and generous Grandfather to his grandchildren as well. Bob was considered a true gentleman.
He is survived by two daughters: Eileen M. Rhody & husband, Andrew J., Schuylkill Haven, Debra Schiavoni, Lancaster, a son,Gregory Gray & wife, Elizabeth, Pottsville, eight grandchildren, who affectionately referred to him as "Mr. Bob", six great-grandchildren, a sister, Nancy Olmstead & husband, Jack, Hadden Heights, NJ, and a brother, Warren Gray & wife, Nancy, Orwigsburg.
A viewing will be held Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Geschwindt Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, PA, at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28th, with Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik officiating.
Interment will follow mass at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob's memory may be made to Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation 1001 E. 101st Terrace - Suite 200 Kansas City, MO 64131 or Wounded Warrior Project, P O Box 758516, Topeka KS 66675-8516.

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

John Sedar, 93, formerly of Frackville died Thursday January 23, 2020 at Schuylkill Center, Pottsville.

Born in Frackville , October 11, 1926, He was a son of the late Michael and Eva (Machita) Sedar.

He retired as a Spreader from Charles Rabin Co, Frackville.

He was a member of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, Frackville.

He was preceded in death by 5 sisters Mary Fruge, Helen Palmer, Eva Kobilnyk, Kay Sedar and Ann Sedar; 2 brothers Adam and Wassyl Sedar

Surviving are his wife of 53 years Pauline (Harviletz) Sedar; a daughter Kayann Phillips and her husband David of Frackville; 2grandsons Kevin Sedar and his Fiance Christine of Schuylkill Haven; Dylan Phillips of Frackville; 2 brothers Michael Sedar of Tamaqua; Paul Sedar of Frackville; Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Monday at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, 209 South Lehigh Avenue Frackville, PA 17931. The Very Rev Archpriest James Jadick will be officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 – 11:00 AM Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Ascension Orthodox Memorial Fund at the above address. Burial will be in Holy Ascension Orthodox Cemetery, Englewood, Frackville.

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

Raymond P. Kostick
, 73, Mahanoy City, formerly of Gilberton passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 22nd at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Ashland, he was a son of the late Paul and Frances Stockunas Kostick. He had worked as a self-employed contractor.

Ray was an Army veteran having served during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of the Frackville American Legion Post 398 where he had served as the past Commander and for the Honor Guard.

Ray enjoyed coaching both of his children growing up in both baseball and softball. He also enjoyed playing adult softball in various leagues around the county.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Paul Kostick and step-daughter Heather Arias.

Ray is survived by his wife, Marianne Buck, Mahanoy City; his daughter April, wife of Jeremy Bowman; his son Raymond Kostick and partner Amanda Addvensky, Mahanoy City; his sister Jean Kostick, Gilberton and a brother John Kostick; his loving grandchildren: Mercedes, Xavier, Vivian Rose and Ellowyn Maria along with several nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday February 8th from St. Joseph the Worker Parish (St. Ann’s Church) at 11 a.m. with pastor, Rev. Brian Miller, as the celebrant. Friends are invited to his visitation at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville on Saturday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held with military honors at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville on Monday February 10th at 1 p.m.

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

Elizabeth E. "Betty" Byatt, beloved mother, grandmother, 91 years of age, formerly of Tamaqua Pennsylvania passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2020, at St. Luke's Miners Memorial in Coaldale, Pennsylvania.

Born Tuesday, January 1, 1929 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late Floyd and Anna (Matsick) Eveland. She was also predeceased by her husband of 62 yrs., Robert W. Byatt.

Surviving are children, Susan E. Perry wife of Jason of East Stroudsburg, Robert D. Byatt and his wife Mary of Washington Township, NJ,, Mary Ann Byatt of Center Valley; grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Byatt and Collin Perry.

A 1947 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Betty was a member of St. John XX III R.C.C. of Tamaqua. Betty had worked for the former Coaldale State Hospital and was a member of the Henry Baker Knights of Columbus Ladies Aux.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday January 30, 2020 at 10:30 o'clock AM from St. John XXIII R.C.C. located at 307 Pine Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252, Rev. Thomas Orsulak to officate.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Thursday, January 30, 2020, in the church social hall.

Interment St. Jerome R.C.C. Cemetery, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.

Memorials in her name to:
Make A-Wish America
Gift Processing
1702 East Highland Ave., Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85016
or
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com

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

Joyce V. (Keefe) Pallina, RN, 86 of Mahanoy Plane passed away on Thursday morning, January 23, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

Born in Mahanoy Plane on September 20, 1933 she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Anna (Barrett) Keefe.

She was a 1951 graduate of the former Gilberton High School and the former Hazleton State Hospital School of Nursing.

Joyce was a retired registered nurse (RN) having last been employed at the former Pottsville Hospital.

She was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah formerly Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband, John A. Pallina and her daughter, Joyce M. Dempsey.

Surviving are one son, John Keating, Jr. of Dublin, Georgia; three grandsons, John Keating, III of Shenandoah, Ian Keating and his fiancé Linda Labert of Weatherly and Sean Keating of York; two great-granddaughters, Ava Marie and Arianna Grace Keating; her daughter-in-law, Marian Long and her husband George of Shenandoah; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 10:00 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held on Tuesday morning from 8:00 am until 9:45 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.

----------------------------------------------------
Alma E Barnhardt, age 89, formerly of Valley View, passed away Friday, January 24, 2020 at Schuylkill Center, Pottsville.

She was born on Thursday, October 23, 1930, in Barry Twp, a daughter of the late Charles Maurer and the late Dora Kessler Maurer.

Alma was a seamstress for the former Philmark Mfg, Valley View, and then was employed at Huntsinger Farms, Hegins, until her retirement.

She was a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Valley View.

Alma enjoyed gardening, painting, sewing, and spending time with her family.

Her husband John "Jack" W Barnhardt, passed away in 1995. She was also preceded in death by her parents; by one grandson, one granddaughter, one sister, and seven brothers.

She is survived by three sons, Thomas Barnhardt and his wife Judy of Valley View, John D Barnhardt and his wife Carol of Donaldson, and Jeffrey Barnhardt of Williamstown; two daughters, Mary Ellen Klebe of Hegins; and Karen Koppenhaver and her husband Butch of Hegins; a step son, Robert Kessler and his wife Leonice of Lykens; sixteen grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; two brothers, George Maurer of Barry Twp, and Irvin Maurer of Sheridan, MT; a sister, Hazel Minnich of Orwigsburg; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Valley View, on Thursday, January 30, 2020, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Duane Bardo officiating.

A viewing will be held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday at the church.

Burial will be made in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Valley View.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Andrew's United Methodist Church People Fund, P.O. Box 221, Valley View, PA 17983.

Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.

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.