Obituaries for Schuylkill County and the surrounding areas.
----------------------------------------------------
Dorothy E. Hancock, 82, of Pottsville, passed away Saturday, April 11th, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Schuylkill, E. Norwegian St., Pottsville.
Born in Palo Alto on November 9, 1937, she was a daughter of the late Robert & Dorothy (Hess) Stevenson.
She was the widow of Charles Hancock, who passed away in 1988.
In addition to her parents and husband, Dorothy is also preceded in death by her brothers: Russell, & George Stevenson, and her twin sister, Mona Davis.
She attended Pottsville Area High School.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville; where she enjoyed helping in the kitchen.
Dorothy retired from Hamburg Center after many years of working as an aide. She enjoyed cooking, baking, quilting, crafting and sharing that with others. Her children thought she was the best mom.
She is survived by two daughters: Robin Moran & husband, Kevin, of Schuylkill Haven, and Judi Barton & husband, Jerry, of Pottsville; and two sons: Donald Hancock & wife, Peggy, of Adamsdale, and Glenn Hancock & wife, Doreen, of Lake Wynonah.
Dorothy retired from Hamburg Center after many years of working as an aide. She enjoyed cooking, baking, quilting, crafting and sharing that with others. Her children thought she was the best mom.
She is survived by two daughters: Robin Moran & husband, Kevin, of Schuylkill Haven, and Judi Barton & husband, Jerry, of Pottsville; and two sons: Donald Hancock & wife, Peggy, of Adamsdale, and Glenn Hancock & wife, Doreen, of Lake Wynonah.
Dorothy is also survived by five grandchildren: Tim Moran, Jake Barton, and Keturra Hancock, Payge Lonergan, & Cordell Hancock, seven great-grandchildren, sister, Marcy Thomas, Palo Alto, and several nieces & nephews.
A public memorial service for family and friends will be announced at a later date.
At her family's request, memorial donations in Dorothy's memory may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 300 West Arch Street, Pottsville, PA 17901.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Maryliss W. Shaefer, 69, of Tamaqua, PA, died peacefully on Sunday, April 12, 2020 in Bethlehem, PA after a lengthy illness.
She was the wife of Samuel W. Schaefer to whom she has been married 8 years.
Born in Coaldale, PA on April 9, 1951, Maryliss was the daughter of the late John A. and June (nee Delp) Willing. A 1969 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she worked for a number of places during her lifetime. Her last employment was with Independent Living Services, Tamaqua but prior to that she worked for ICI Americas in Reynolds and several garment factories in the area. Maryliss was a member of Zion Stone Church, Snyders. She was an avid sports follower who enjoyed going to Penn State games, watching all Philadelphia sports teams, and watching college basketball. Maryliss also enjoyed reading novels.
She had pets throughout the years, all of whom she loved. At present those pets are her blue and gold macaw, Wadda and her dog, Sofie.
Maryliss is survived by her husband, Sam; sons, Bryan Pastucha of Mount Carmel, PA and Matthew Pastucha of Chalfont, PA; stepsons, Christopher Schaefer and his wife Jessica of Tamaqua and Eric Schaefer of North Bonneville, Washington; grandson, Thomas Pastucha of Mount Carmel; step grandchildren, Madeline Schaefer, Olivia Schaefer, and Dustin Duda; and brothers, Gary Willing and his wife, Ruth of Tamaqua and Jack Willing and his wife Nancy of Tamaqua.
In accordance with the governor’s guidelines concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, private interment services will be held at the convenience of the family and a memorial service will be held at a future date. Memorials in Maryliss’s name may be made to either the Hillside SPCA, 51 SPCA Road, Pottsville, PA 17901 or Zion Stone Church, 45 Cemetery Road, New Ringgold, PA 17960.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Craig Schickram, 57 years of age, of Tamaqua, passed into the loving arms of the Lord and loved ones on Sunday, April 12, 2020, at Weatherwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Ctr. in Weatherly, Pennsylvania from complications of the covid-19 virus.
Born Wednesday, September 19, 1962, in Coaldale, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Herbert W. and Helen A. (Schoener) Schickram. Craig attended the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit in Marlin for both school and work.
Craig was a ray of sunshine no matter who he was around. The entire neighborhood loved Craigie as one of their own growing up, and he played with all of the neighborhood kids, who treated him as their equal. Strong as a bull, Craig won multiple awards for his participation in the Special Olympics over the years, and earned his way to the Pennsylvania State competition. Craig also took Second Place in a soapbox derby where he dressed his car as 'Herbie the Love Bug.' Craig, was always fun to be around at family gatherings. During Craig's leisure time he enjoyed listening to his albums, mostly the Chipmunks, sitting 'Indian Style and rocking to the beat. Craig also enjoyed watching Hee-Haw, The Three Stooges, and Benny Hill. Craig will be missed by not only his family but also by all of the peoples' hearts he touched over the years.
Craig was recently predeceased by his brother John H. Schickram on December 14, 2019. Surviving are brother, Wayne Schickram and his wife Louise of Tamaqua; sister, Debra Kay Radishofski and her husband Dave of Hazleton; sister-in-law, Carol A. Schickram of Hometown; nieces, Amy Rarick, and her Husband Edward Rarick of Lehighton, Molly Pavia, Tamaqua, Johnna Schickram of Hometown, and Amanda Radishofski and her companion, Rodd Wynn of Mechanicsburg, nephews, Steve Schickram and his Wife Lauren Schickram of Tamaqua and Eric Radishofski and his companion Natasha Carey of Kansas City, Kansas; and 10 great-nieces and nephews.
Peace be with you Craig.
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
Private Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
online condolences or a fond memory of Craig can be expressed by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
Born Wednesday, September 19, 1962, in Coaldale, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Herbert W. and Helen A. (Schoener) Schickram. Craig attended the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit in Marlin for both school and work.
Craig was a ray of sunshine no matter who he was around. The entire neighborhood loved Craigie as one of their own growing up, and he played with all of the neighborhood kids, who treated him as their equal. Strong as a bull, Craig won multiple awards for his participation in the Special Olympics over the years, and earned his way to the Pennsylvania State competition. Craig also took Second Place in a soapbox derby where he dressed his car as 'Herbie the Love Bug.' Craig, was always fun to be around at family gatherings. During Craig's leisure time he enjoyed listening to his albums, mostly the Chipmunks, sitting 'Indian Style and rocking to the beat. Craig also enjoyed watching Hee-Haw, The Three Stooges, and Benny Hill. Craig will be missed by not only his family but also by all of the peoples' hearts he touched over the years.
Craig was recently predeceased by his brother John H. Schickram on December 14, 2019. Surviving are brother, Wayne Schickram and his wife Louise of Tamaqua; sister, Debra Kay Radishofski and her husband Dave of Hazleton; sister-in-law, Carol A. Schickram of Hometown; nieces, Amy Rarick, and her Husband Edward Rarick of Lehighton, Molly Pavia, Tamaqua, Johnna Schickram of Hometown, and Amanda Radishofski and her companion, Rodd Wynn of Mechanicsburg, nephews, Steve Schickram and his Wife Lauren Schickram of Tamaqua and Eric Radishofski and his companion Natasha Carey of Kansas City, Kansas; and 10 great-nieces and nephews.
Peace be with you Craig.
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
Private Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
online condolences or a fond memory of Craig can be expressed by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
Bettie M. Sterner, 79, of West Penn Township, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2020, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Neil Kershner. They were married on October 6, 2012.
Prior to retiring, she was a sewing machine operator for 36 years. She was employed at the former Scotty’s Fashion, Lehighton, Sue Frock Textile Mill, Tamaqua and Tamaqua Frocks. Born at home in West Penn Township, she was the daughter of the late William F. and Anna (Potylycki) Clause. She was a member of Zion’s Stone Church of West Penn Township. Bettie loved to sew. She would sew beautiful wedding dresses and costumes for her son’s drama club plays.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Walter, and two sisters, Nancy Houser and Ann Glauda.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Timothy and his wife, Lisa, of Lancaster; daughter, Tammy, wife of Jeffrey Weaver, of Andreas; two brothers, William Clause, of Andreas, and Johnny Clause and his wife, Melanie, of Reynolds; four sisters, Cathy Braskie, of Hazleton, Mary Ann Reed, of TN, Jeanie, wife of John Hamm, of Clamtown and Tina Clause, of Clamtown; three grandchildren, Madison Sterner, Chad Weaver and Marissa Sterner, three step children, Kathy, Susan and Kevin, ten step grandchildren, one great step granddaughter, nieces and nephews.
Private graveside service will be held in Zion’s Stone Church Cemetery with Rev. Russell Campbell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Zion’s Stone Church, 45 Cemetery Rd., New Ringgold, PA 17960.
Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold. Online condolences may be made at www.hartmanfuneralhomeinc.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lois B. Graham, age 78, of Hegins, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2020, at her residence following a long battle with cancer.
Lois was born in Corning, NY to W. Gene Eshelman and Tillie V. Eshelman (both Hegins natives) and grew up in Hegins, PA. She attended Tri-Valley schools, graduating from Tri-Valley High School (1959), where she participated in marching band, choir, drama club and student government.
She worked at Twin Valley Farmers Exchange and as a candy striper at Good Samaritan Hospital. She played flute in the Hegins Community Band under her father's direction. Lois was a proud Penn State graduate (1963, B.S. in Home Economics), who fondly remembered touring Europe and singing in historic cathedrals with the Penn State Chapel Choir.
After graduating from PSU, Lois moved to Liberty, NY, where she worked as an Extension Service Agent for Cornell University and met the love of her life, Kenneth Graham. The couple married in August 1964 and followed employment opportunities to Liberty, Brooklyn, and Middletown, NY. They had two children, Gregory and Courtney. The couple made many lifelong friends in their years in New York. Lois volunteered as a classroom mother for her children's classes, was a Cub Scout den leader, and often led dinners and festivals for the church, youth groups or Boy Scouts.
Lois stayed home to care for her family until the children were in late elementary school, then worked as a substitute teacher, a teacher's aide, and (after earning her masters degree and teaching certification at the NY State University, New Paltz) as a first grade teacher. She was well loved by students and staff. Lois enriched the lives of her students through music, performance opportunities, field trips and special classroom events. She maintained close friendships with her fellow teachers throughout her life.
While living in NY, Lois made frequent weekend and summer-long visits to Hegins to care for her parents throughout their elder years. Lois retired to Hegins in 2000 and became involved in the Rotary Club, TVHS class reunions, Craft Faire Committee, Spring Fling Charity Committee, Wine Festival, and Frieden's United Church of Christ. She loved serving the community, worshipping in the beautiful UCC, decorating for holidays, traveling, arranging silk flowers, crafting, shopping, dressing up, visiting and babysitting her grandchildren, and celebrating holidays and special events with the family. Lois's priority list was family first, community and church second, and her needs last.
Lois voiced her opinions with zest, while acting with good intentions and a giving heart. She was strong and determined, never complaining as she fought cancer repeatedly over the past several decades. Her final battle began on January 29th, with an emergency trip to Hershey Medical Center, where she stayed until her return home (under hospice care) on February 17th. Lois spent her last days with family and friends.
Lois is predeceased by her parents, Tillie and W. Gene Eshelman, and her brother, Leon Eshelman. She is survived by: her loving husband, Kenneth Graham; her son, Gregory Graham and wife Talitha "Bep" Graham; her daughter, Courtney Hall and husband Timothy Hall; and grandchildren, Eleanor Savage and spouse Eric Savage, Theodore Graham, Kenneth Hall and spouse Nicole Hall, Patrick Hall, and Deirdre Hall.
With concern for the wellbeing of friends and family members, and in keeping with current social distancing measures due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the family will hold a private burial at Fountain Community Cemetery. The family is planning a memorial celebration of Lois's life to be held on August 8, 2020 for friends and family. Details will be shared when available. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Frieden's United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 57, Hegins, PA 17938 or Advantage Home Health and Hospice 1502 Route 61 Highway South, Pottsville PA 17901.
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.
0