Friday, February 14, 2020

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 02/13/2020


Schuylkill County Obituaries for 02/13/2020

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Eldora H. Seaman, 96, passed away Wednesday, February 12th, at Orwigsburg Center, Orwigsburg, PA, where she had been a resident.

Born in Pottsville, PA on September 16, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Thomas & Eva (Loy) Fidler. She was raised by the late William & Katie (Schaeffer) Loy.

She was the widow of Albert J. Seaman, who passed away November 12, 2000.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is also preceded in death by her sister, Althea Fidler, and brothers: Arlinn, & Lamar Fidler.

Eldora was a 1940 graduate of Cressona High School.

She was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Friedensburg.

Eldora was a life member of Friedensburg Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. She also belonged to the Schuylkill Haven Senior Citizens. She was formerly active with 4-H, and Blue Mountain Band Boosters.

Eldora was formerly employed by local retail stores including Lee Ann Shop, Bonnie Jean Shoppe, and Rarings Shoes.

She is survived by two daughters: Debra Marteslo & husband, George, Mechanicsburg, & Belinda Boger & husband, Bruce, Pottsville, grandchildren: Jason Boger & wife, Stefanie, Wade Boger, Alexis Marteslo & husband, Hane Tarris, Amanda Martz, Dustin Kurtek & husband, Adam, 12 great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews, and cousins including Ruth Dewald, and Wayne Loy.

A viewing will be held Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Friedensburg.

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be conducted at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Friedensburg at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19th, with Pastor Peggy Sue Pfeffer officiating. A viewing will be held Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Interment will follow at St. John's Union Cemetery, Friedensburg.

At the family's request, donations in Eldora's memory may be sent to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, P O Box 86, Friedensburg, PA 17933, or Friedensburg Fire Company, P O Box 130, Friedensburg, PA 17933.

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Reverend Edmund J. Brennan, 66, Girardville passed away peacefully at Saint Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem on Wednesday, February 12th.

Born in Ashland, Father Brennan is the son of the late John A. and Margaret V. (Purcell) Brennan.

Father Brennan attended Saint Joseph Grade School, Girardville, and was a 1972 graduate of the former Cardinal Brennan High School, Fountain Springs. He attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy; and Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, where he received a Masters of Divinity degree in Theology.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on March 20, 1982by the Most Reverend Joseph M. McShea, Bishop of Allentown, at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

Father Brennan’s first Priestly Assignment was Parochial Vicar Pro Tempore at Annunciation Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Shenandoah, followed by Parochial Vicar, Saint Paul Church, Reading; Parochial Vicar, Saint Ursula Church, Fountain Hill; Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart Church, Bethlehem; Parochial Vicar, Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Allentown; Parochial Vicar, Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown; and Parochial Vicar Parochial Vicar, Saint Ann Church, Emmaus.

His first Pastoral Assignment was Pastor, Star of the Sea Church, Branchdale; followed by Pastor, Sacred Heart Church, Newtown.

During the course of his Priestly Ministry, Father Brennan served as Associate Professor, Reading Central Catholic High School, Reading; and Professor, Cardinal Brennan High School, Fountain Springs.

Father Brennan played up the role as the middle child of the Brennan family growing up. He was a survivor of rheumatic fever which made him an easy going, vivacious child. He made fast, furious, fierce and faithful friends. He enjoyed Broadway and the Arts, travel and vacationing to Ocean City, NJ.

Although his later vocation was marred by ill health, he remained a devoted parish priest, assisting local pastors and parishioners in his community celebrating many masses, weddings, baptisms and funerals.

Father Brennan is survived by his two brothers, John Brennan, Allentown and Michael Brennan, Girardville; his four sisters: Mary Eleanor Brennan, Bethlehem, Margaret Anne Buchanan and husband Robert, Easton, Patricia Brennan, Girardville and Rose Marie Smallwood, Girardville; his loving nieces and nephews: Emily Anne and her husband Mark Kasmark, Jarrett and his wife Alexa Buchanan, Thomas Smallwood and Caroline Buchanan; numerous cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Brennan will be celebrated at Saint Joseph the Worker Parish (St. Ann’s Church) 49 North Line Street, Frackville, on Wednesday, February 19th at 11:00 a.m. by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Allentown. The Homilist will be Reverend Martin T. Cioppi, Pastor, Mother of Divine Providence Church, King of Prussia.

Friends and family are invited to Father Brennan’s viewing on Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, 403 W. Main Street, Girardville with a Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m. with Monsignor William F. Glosser and on Wednesday morning at St. Ann’s Church, Frackville from 9:30 a.m. until the time of mass. Interment will be held in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Fountain Springs.

Main Concelebrants will be Reverend Monsignor David L. James, Vicar General; Reverend Adam C. Sedar, Secretary for Clergy; Reverend Monsignor WilliamF. Glosser, Vicar Forane, Schuylkill Deanery; Reverend Monsignor Thomas D. Baddick, Pastor, Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church, Bethlehem; Reverend Monsignor Edward J. Coyle, Pastor, Saint Ann Church, Emmaus; and Rev. Robert T. Finlan, Pastor, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made, in Father Brennan’s name, to Schuylkill Wellness Services at 512 N Centre St # B, Pottsville, PA 17901 or to NAMI at 3803 N Fairfax Dr, Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203.

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JoAnn Z. Clayton, 65, Girardville, passed away peacefully Thursday at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

She was preceded in death by her husband William J. Clayton Jr..

JoAnn is survived by her partner of 20 years Katie Dinger, her daughters; Stephanie Clayton, Girardville and Mary P. Clayton, Enola, her step-sons; Douglas Boehm, Gordon and Scott Boehm, Portage, Mich., 7 grandsons and her old school chum Kathleen Chuplis who was like a sister to her and also by three honorary nieces; Tara, Kenna and Chelsea.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held from Noon until 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb.23, 2020 at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Girardville. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers contributions, in JoAnn’s name, be made to the Girardville Ambulance Association, 101 W. Main Street, Girardville, PA 17935

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Matthew S. Pavitt, age 87, of Shenandoah passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.

Born in Philadelphia, PA on August 28, 1932, Matt was a lifelong resident of Shenandoah. He was the son of the late Anna Bushefsky and Matthew W. Pavitt and the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Matt was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Class of 1950. Prior to his retirement, Matt worked for 45 years as a printer at the former Shenandoah Evening Herald. He was also the shop’s union delegate to the Pottsville Typographical Union 301 where he served as Vice President and President for 10 years.

He was owner of the former Pavitt Tax Service and Pavitt Advertising Specialty Co. for many years.

Matt was a U.S. Army veteran having served in the Administrative Division, Main Headquarters. XVIII Airborne Corps, Ft. Bragg NC where he attained the rank of SP-4 and received his honorable discharge in 1962.

Matt was a member of Divine Mercy Parish and a lifelong member of the former St. George Church where he was active in church and community events: Archdiocese of Philadelphia Young Adult CYO Vice President and President and North Schuylkill CYO President.

He was a former member of the Polish American Fire Co., Shenandoah Moose and Elks Lodges, former Officer and Coach of Shenandoah Little League, Publicity Director for the Shenandoah Area Youth Organization (SAYO) and President of the former Shenandoah Bowling Association.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth, who passed away June 15, 2018; a sister, Helen and a brother, Joseph.

Survivors include a daughter, Debbie, wife of Michael Briscoe, St. Peters, MO; a granddaughter, Erin Gerhart, wife of Michael Gerhart of Ballwin, MO; a son, Mark of Hamburg, PA; nieces, nephews and their families and many neighbors and friends.

Matt was a very kind and loving man who would do anything he could for others. He was a wonderful husband, father and pop pop to his family. He’s greatest joy was knowing he was going to be a great grand pop pop this spring to Michael Matthew (Mac) Gerhart. He will always be within our thoughts and hearts.

No public service will be held. Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions can be made to Divine Mercy Parish Memorial Fund or to Father Walter J. Ciszek Chapel.

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These Obituaries are brought to you by
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