Obituaries for Schuylkill County and the surrounding areas.
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Edward C. Zemencik, 82, of Summit Station, passed away Monday, April 20th, at his residence.
Born in Pottsville, on August 16, 1937, a son of the late Elizabeth (Zemencik) and Louis Yob.
He was the widower of Annetta (Koch) Zemencik, who passed away in May 2019.
He was a graduate of Cressona High School, class of 1956.
He served in the U.S. Army and formerly worked for at MacMinn Asphalt, Lancaster.
He was a member of the Summit Station Fire Co.
In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by a step son Randy Morgan and half brother Matthew Yob.
Edward is survived by a daughter, Denise Miller, significant other to Leon Weaver, Orwigsburg, a son, Rev. Curtis Zemencik, husband of Rebecca, Sacramento, PA, six grandchildren: Heather & her significant other, Joseph, Hollie & her husband, Austin, Jericho, Rose, Jason & his wife, Brittany & Jessica, two great-grandchildren: Kaylin, & Alexys, half brother Michael Yob, Summit Station.
Due to the current pandemic services and interment will be held privately..
Edward C. Zemencik, 82, of Summit Station, passed away Monday, April 20th, at his residence.
Born in Pottsville, on August 16, 1937, a son of the late Elizabeth (Zemencik) and Louis Yob.
He was the widower of Annetta (Koch) Zemencik, who passed away in May 2019.
He was a graduate of Cressona High School, class of 1956.
He served in the U.S. Army and formerly worked for at MacMinn Asphalt, Lancaster.
He was a member of the Summit Station Fire Co.
In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by a step son Randy Morgan and half brother Matthew Yob.
Edward is survived by a daughter, Denise Miller, significant other to Leon Weaver, Orwigsburg, a son, Rev. Curtis Zemencik, husband of Rebecca, Sacramento, PA, six grandchildren: Heather & her significant other, Joseph, Hollie & her husband, Austin, Jericho, Rose, Jason & his wife, Brittany & Jessica, two great-grandchildren: Kaylin, & Alexys, half brother Michael Yob, Summit Station.
Due to the current pandemic services and interment will be held privately..
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Kenneth E. Nagle, 84, of Bethel, passed away Saturday, April 18th, at Reading Hospital, West Reading.
Kenneth E. Nagle, 84, of Bethel, passed away Saturday, April 18th, at Reading Hospital, West Reading.
Born in Schuylkill Haven, on October 9, 1935, a son of the late Thelma (Baltzer) and Roy Nagle.
He was the husband of Mary L. (Mason) Nagle.
He was formerly employed by the Reading Eagle Newspaper as an assistant foreman in the Composing Room.
Kenneth is preceded in death by his son Donald, daughter Linda and sister Gladys Aungst.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Kenneth Nagle, II, Bethel, Victoria Leffler, Minersville, Mary Louise Crawford wife of Brian, Hawaii and John Nagle, Lebanon; grandchildren; great grandchildren.
Due to the current pandemic, services and interment will be held privately..
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Karen Hampford, 60 of Yonkers, NY, died Sunday at Manhattanville Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, Bronx, NY.
She was born December 8, 1959 in Pottsville a daughter of the late James J. Jr and Kathleen A. O’Connor Hampford.
She was a 1978 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a 1980 graduate of Rhode Island Institute of Photography.
Karen was a member of St. Margaret of Cortona Roman Catholic Church, Bronx, NY.
Throughout her life Karen enjoyed photography and needle work.
She was preceded in death by a brother James J. Hampford, III. and her fiancé, Michael Cummings.
Surviving are a brother, Edward “Ned” Hampford and his wife Tammie, Pottsville; 2 sisters, Kathleen Hampford, Pottsville and Betsy H. Taylor, Harrisburg; 1 niece, 5 nephews; a sister-in-law Diane Hampford, Pottsville.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be private from St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions be made to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901. Interment will be private at Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
Arrangements are under the care of James B. Humphrey, F.D., James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.
Please share your memories and condolences with Karen’s family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com
John F. (Jack) Pisco, 84, of Minersville, passed away Sunday, April 19th, at his home.
She was born December 8, 1959 in Pottsville a daughter of the late James J. Jr and Kathleen A. O’Connor Hampford.
She was a 1978 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a 1980 graduate of Rhode Island Institute of Photography.
Karen was a member of St. Margaret of Cortona Roman Catholic Church, Bronx, NY.
Throughout her life Karen enjoyed photography and needle work.
She was preceded in death by a brother James J. Hampford, III. and her fiancé, Michael Cummings.
Surviving are a brother, Edward “Ned” Hampford and his wife Tammie, Pottsville; 2 sisters, Kathleen Hampford, Pottsville and Betsy H. Taylor, Harrisburg; 1 niece, 5 nephews; a sister-in-law Diane Hampford, Pottsville.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be private from St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions be made to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901. Interment will be private at Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
Arrangements are under the care of James B. Humphrey, F.D., James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.
Please share your memories and condolences with Karen’s family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com
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Jack was born in Pottsville, Pa. on May 1, 1935, a son of the late Geneieve (Sincavage) and Michael Pisco. He was the husband of Elaine (Machita) Pisco. He was a graduate of Pottsville High Class of 1953.
He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Marine Corp. He was formerly employed at ALCOA & Cressona Aluminum. He was a past member of the Minersville Lions Club.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters Jean Chabot & Pat Ralston and a brother. Michael Pisco .
Jack is survived by a daughter, Lori, wife of Dr. Mark Snyder, of Minersville; a son, John, husband of Annette Pisco, of Avon Lake Ohio; He is also survived by a brother, David, husband of Kathy Pisco, of West Lawn. Grand children: Kyle Pisco (Cleveland OH), Connor Pisco (Cleveland OH), Lindsey Snyder (Grand Junction, CO.) and Aaron Snyder (Minersville Pa.) Nieces & nephews.
As a member of the United States Marine Corp, he was stationed in several locations which included Paris Island SC, Camp Lejune NC, and Bellows Air Force Base in Oahu, Hawaii. After serving time for the United States Marine Corp he was then honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal in July of 1963. He loved to polka dance, was an avid Minersville sports fan, enjoyed Penn State football, adored his grand-children, crafts, playing cards, and he loved to walk. Jack and his wife Elaine were very happily married for 58 years.
Due to current restrictions all services are private. Interment Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Wounded Warriors Inc., 1117 Country Club Road, Camp Hill, Pa 17011, http://www.pawoundedwarriors.org Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville, entrusted with the arrangements.
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Walter J. Choplick, Sr., 92 of Shenandoah Heights passed on Tuesday morning, April 21, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Born in Shenandoah on June 5, 1927 he was the son of the late Walter Barney and Anna (Olszewski) Choplick.
He was a 1945 graduate of the former West Mahanoy Township High School, Shenandoah Heights. He also attended Penn State Schuylkill where he earned his certification in drafting.
Mr. Choplick was a decorated World War II Navy veteran having served his county in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He received the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon and World War II Victory Medal.
Walter was the owner and operator of the former W. Choplick Concrete Burial Vaults, Shenandoah Heights where he was a manufacturer, franchisor and dealer for Eagle Burial Vaults.
On October 8, 1950 in St. Casimir’s Church, Shenandoah, Walter married the love of his life, the former Gloria D. Balkiewicz who survives.
He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah formerly Saint Casimir’s Church where he was an usher and a member of the Holy Name Society. Walter was a member of the A.P. Damato Medal of Honor Post 792, Shenandoah for over sixty years. He also held membership in the Sun City Veteran’s Association of Bluffton, South Carolina. He was a former US Flagmember the Eagle Triplex Burial Vault Association, the National Burial Vault Association, the Pennsylvania Burial Vault Association, the Upper Schuylkill Concert Band and the Shenandoah Valley Alumni Band. He was also a member of the former Samuel H. Kehl American Legion Post, Shenandoah, the Shenandoah Moose Lodge and Monarch Associates. Walter was a member and past president of the Shenandoah Rotary Club.
Walter treasured his family; he was a kind, generous and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He especially was delighted in the time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 69 years, Gloria D. Choplick are his son, Walter J. Choplick, Jr. and his wife Helene of Shenandoah Heights; his daughter, Gloria Choplick Schelling and her husband Andrew Schelling of West Chester; four grandchildren, Debra Moore and her husband Ed, Andrew Schelling, IV and his wife Jennifer, Denise Wevodau and her fiancé Nelson and Walter Jeffrey Choplick; and five great-grandchildren.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Divine Mercy Church, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Private interment will follow in St. Casimir’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to Divine Mercy Parish Chapel Fund, 108 West Cherry St., Shenandoah, PA 17976.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
Born in Shenandoah on June 5, 1927 he was the son of the late Walter Barney and Anna (Olszewski) Choplick.
He was a 1945 graduate of the former West Mahanoy Township High School, Shenandoah Heights. He also attended Penn State Schuylkill where he earned his certification in drafting.
Mr. Choplick was a decorated World War II Navy veteran having served his county in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He received the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon and World War II Victory Medal.
Walter was the owner and operator of the former W. Choplick Concrete Burial Vaults, Shenandoah Heights where he was a manufacturer, franchisor and dealer for Eagle Burial Vaults.
On October 8, 1950 in St. Casimir’s Church, Shenandoah, Walter married the love of his life, the former Gloria D. Balkiewicz who survives.
He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah formerly Saint Casimir’s Church where he was an usher and a member of the Holy Name Society. Walter was a member of the A.P. Damato Medal of Honor Post 792, Shenandoah for over sixty years. He also held membership in the Sun City Veteran’s Association of Bluffton, South Carolina. He was a former US Flagmember the Eagle Triplex Burial Vault Association, the National Burial Vault Association, the Pennsylvania Burial Vault Association, the Upper Schuylkill Concert Band and the Shenandoah Valley Alumni Band. He was also a member of the former Samuel H. Kehl American Legion Post, Shenandoah, the Shenandoah Moose Lodge and Monarch Associates. Walter was a member and past president of the Shenandoah Rotary Club.
Walter treasured his family; he was a kind, generous and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He especially was delighted in the time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 69 years, Gloria D. Choplick are his son, Walter J. Choplick, Jr. and his wife Helene of Shenandoah Heights; his daughter, Gloria Choplick Schelling and her husband Andrew Schelling of West Chester; four grandchildren, Debra Moore and her husband Ed, Andrew Schelling, IV and his wife Jennifer, Denise Wevodau and her fiancé Nelson and Walter Jeffrey Choplick; and five great-grandchildren.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Divine Mercy Church, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Private interment will follow in St. Casimir’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to Divine Mercy Parish Chapel Fund, 108 West Cherry St., Shenandoah, PA 17976.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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Reta Mae (Sis) Bailey, 86, of McKeansburg, passed away Monday, April 20th, at Seton Manor.
Reta was born in Brockton on May 13, 1933, a daughter of the late Eva V. (Troutman) and Harvey E. Smith. She was the widow of Lloyd (Buck) C. Bailey, they were married on January 27, 1951. She was a member of Christ Church McKeansburg. She was a homemaker for many years and a waitress for over 40 years at the former Brady's Seafood in McKeansburg. She served as Past Noble Grand of Lady Harmony, Rebekah Lodge #86.
Reta is survived by two sons Bruce L. Bailey , husband of Diane of Schuylkill Haven, and Charles H. Bailey, husband of Laura of Tamaqua.
She is also survived by grandchildren Ryan L. Bailey and his fiance Teena Marsh; Justin C. Bailey, husband of Kate; Ashley L. Pliska, wife of Stephen and five great grandchildren Bailey, Kenny, Evan, Isaac and Thea. She was preceded in death by an infant son, a grandson John L. Bailey, an infant brother Paul Smith and brother Harvey Smith.
Interment will be held at Drehersville Evangelical Cemetery. Services are private and entrusted to the Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Orwigsburg.
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