Obituaries for Schuylkill County and the surrounding areas.
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Patricia Anne Priester, 68, of Tamaqua, PA, died on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at home. She was the wife of the late Roger E. Priester who died July 1, 2008.
Born in Neptune, NJ on June 23, 1952, Patricia was a daughter of the late Charles and Adeline (nee Schmidt) Van Curen. A high school graduate, she last worked for Hess Gas Station, Tamaqua.
Patricia is survived by her children, Maria Yesavage of Arizona, Dawn Yates of Tamaqua, Trisha Kozak of Buffalo, NY, Scott Priester of Tamaqua, Alexander Priester of Tamaqua, Victoria Priester of Tamaqua, Landan Priester of Tamaqua; 3 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; sister, Helen Abate of NJ; and brother, Charles Van Curen of NJ.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Educated in Mahanoy City schools he was a 1951 graduate of Mahanoy City High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy after graduation and became a "Tin Can Sailor" serving aboard the destroyer USS Goodrich DDR 831 as a gunners mate 3rd class during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the United States Navy, he became a firefighter with the Washington DC Fire Department. While serving in the department he served in the crash crew for the presidential helicopter at the White House for Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford. He also served on the security detail when they appeared in public in Washington DC. Also while in the fire department he was the recipient of the bronze medal for rescue and letters of commendation for fire fighting ability. After retirement from the Washington DC Fire Department he moved back to Mahanoy City. He was a loyal member of the former St. Joseph Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and now St. Teresa of Calcutta Church. He was a member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 36 Washington DC, Retired Firefighters Association also in Washington DC. He was a 67 year member of the Mahanoy City American Legion Post 74, the Anthracite Polka and Coal Cracker Polka Association.
He was a perpetual adorer of the Adoration Chapel since it opened 38 years ago in Mahanoy City. He also was a 40 year member of the Cannon Hole Spring and Game Club in Lycoming County.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
He was preceded in death by 3 sisters Antoinette, Patricia and Blanche. He is survived by a niece Diana Patin and her husband John of New Jersey, a nephew retired Lt. Col. Daniel Fuller of Louisiana, a great grand nephew and a great grand niece and his very best friend and dance partner Marie Rushanan.
Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral on Monday morning at 10 AM from David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM from St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Mahanoy City. Interment with military honors will be at 12:30 PM at Indiantown Gap Nation Cemetery in Annville.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday morning beginning at 8:30 AM. In lieu of flowers contributions in Pete's name to St. Teresa of Calcutta Church would be appreciated. Please visit www.jarrettfuneralhome.com for more information.
John J. Endicott, Sr., 55, of Harrisburg and formerly of Pottsville, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning in his residence.
Born on September 13, 1965, in Bethesda, MD, he was the son of the late Joseph J. Bilansky and Patricia (Sullivan) Endicott.
John was a graduate of Pottsville High School.
He most recently worked at Craftex Mills as a supervisor.
John enjoyed collecting baseball trading cards and was an avid Phillies and Steelers fan. He also enjoyed attending the local Gun Club .
He is survived by his son, John J. Endicott II and John's mother, Kimberly Ann (Cromyak) Endicott; step-mother, Judith Ann Bilansky; step-father, William Endicott; brother, Joseph Endicott; uncles: James and Robert Sullivan and John Dudash.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 2nd, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick R.C.C., 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville. A visitation will be held in Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville from 9:00 a.m. until the procession will leave for church.
Interment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
The family request contributions in John's memory be sent to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.lordbixler.com
Andrea (“Andi”) Forman Strimban, 73, of Marietta, GA and formerly of Pottsville, passed away on June 28th in her residence with her loving family by her side.
Born on November 3, 1946 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. She was the first of three daughters to Abe and Lorraine Forman. Andi grew up in Pottsville, graduating from Pottsville High School in 1964. After graduating, she attended the University of Pittsburgh, graduating with honors in 1968. In early 1967, she was setup on a blind date with Joel Strimban, another Pottsville native. Andi and Joel fell in love and were married on April 28, 1968. Three years later Andi and Joel had their first son, Michael, and four years after that their son, Aaron, was born. After living in Chambersburg, PA, Carlisle, PA and Kansas City, the Strimbans settled in Marietta, Georgia in 1979 where they made their home for the next four decades.
Andi raised both her children and worked full time. She was both a teacher and an executive assistant at several companies during her long career. Andi retired from work becoming a grandmother to her three grand children Ella, Sam and Phoebe. She loved spending time with them and taking every opportunity she could to shower them with love and presents.
Andi enjoyed games of every kind and was an avid tennis player. She loved tennis, both playing and watching her two sons compete throughout their childhood and college careers. Andi was also a huge Atlanta Braves fan. She fell in love with them during their “worst to first” season and watched them play at every opportunity.
Andi was known for her love of family, kindness and generosity. She will be deeply missed by her loving husband of 52 years, her two sons, her daughters in law Katie and Erin, her three grandchildren and her extended family.
Services and interment in Oheb Zedeck Cemetery will be private at the convenience of the family.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home | Pottsville, PA
Mary T. Prosack, nee Brennan, of Frackville passed away Monday, June 29, 2020 at Landis Homes, Lititz with her daughters by her side.
Born in Ashley, PA, December 16, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Theresa Korsack Aftuck and step-father Joseph P. Aftuck. Mary was raised in Shenandoah and a graduate of former J.W.Cooper High School, receiving awards for good grades and perfect attendance.
Following High School she worked for the War Department as a secretary, working with vital information of the Manhattan Project. Upon her return to the area, she worked for the former Martin Shirt Company, Shenandoah and was the Union Steward for the local ILGWU.
Mary was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville, serving as a lector for many years and was past Regent of the Catholic Daughters, St. James Court, Frackville; she also organized many bus trips to Atlantic City for the church.
She was a leading member of both Frackville and Shenandoah Senior Citizens, where her infectious spirit and enthusiasm lifted the spirits of everyone.
She will be remembered by all who knew of her joy and spirit. She loved being with her family, singing, dancing, and regaling her company with stories and jokes- she always had a song and dance at the ready! She was an excellent and effortless cook, a warm hostess, and a cheerful and welcoming friend to all who was proud of her Lithuanian heritage and presided over our holiday Wigilas with grace and charm.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Joseph E. Prosack, who passed on June 12, 2000 and is survived by her daughters, Claudia M. Prosack, Lititz and Jacqueline M. Thomas, Lancaster; granddaughters Rebecca Thomas and Katharine Thomas and husband Matt Thiel; all of Brooklyn, NY and great-granddaughters Charlotte and Mary.
Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday July 2, 2020, in St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Frackville, with Rev. Brian Miller as celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation following CDC guidelines of masks and social distancing Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. and again Thursday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Albert L. Gricoski Funeral Home, Frackville. Interment will be Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph the Worker Parish Memorial Fund, 7 S. broad Mountain Ave., Frackville or the Landis Homes Activity Fund, 1001 E. Oregon Rd, Lititz, PA 17543.
John L. Zimmerman, 83, of Parallel Rd., Pine Grove, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at home surrounded by his family.
Born on April 18, 1937 in Pine Grove, he was a son of the late John and Elva Clemens Zimmerman.
Darwin was born in Klingerstown, on January 22, 1938, a son of the late Wellington "Bud" and Verna (Clark) Stiely.
He graduated from the Tri-Valley High School and served in the US Army from 1957-1959.
Darwin was employed at various places as a heavy equipment operator.
He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Sacramento and was also a member of the Erdman Sportsman Club and a former member of the VFW in Valley View and Gratz.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Patricia (Wiest) Stiely, they were married March 5, 1960; two sons Kenneth, husband of Yvonne Stiely, of Hegins; Alan Stiely, of Sacramento; a daughter, Trisha, wife of Philip Mader, of Dauphin; 3 grandchildren, Derck Stiely and his wife Kayla, Timothy Stiely and his wife Angela, and Kayla Stiely; 8 great grandchildren Jonathan, Nicholas, Elliot and Savanah, and Kendra, Carsyn, Camdyn, and Kinsley; as well as nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a grandson Tyler Stiely, a daughter-in-law Darlene Stiely a sister Romaine Piergallini and a brother Ronald C. Stiely.
A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family at St. Paul's UCC Cemetery, Sacramento, with Rev. Ray Holland officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 2300 East Main St., Sacramento, PA 17968.
The Stephen R. Rothermel Funeral Home, Klingerstown has charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guest book please visit www.srrfh.com.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday morning beginning at 8:30 AM. In lieu of flowers contributions in Pete's name to St. Teresa of Calcutta Church would be appreciated. Please visit www.jarrettfuneralhome.com for more information.
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Born on September 13, 1965, in Bethesda, MD, he was the son of the late Joseph J. Bilansky and Patricia (Sullivan) Endicott.
John was a graduate of Pottsville High School.
He most recently worked at Craftex Mills as a supervisor.
John enjoyed collecting baseball trading cards and was an avid Phillies and Steelers fan. He also enjoyed attending the local Gun Club .
He is survived by his son, John J. Endicott II and John's mother, Kimberly Ann (Cromyak) Endicott; step-mother, Judith Ann Bilansky; step-father, William Endicott; brother, Joseph Endicott; uncles: James and Robert Sullivan and John Dudash.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 2nd, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick R.C.C., 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville. A visitation will be held in Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville from 9:00 a.m. until the procession will leave for church.
Interment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
The family request contributions in John's memory be sent to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.lordbixler.com
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Andrea (“Andi”) Forman Strimban, 73, of Marietta, GA and formerly of Pottsville, passed away on June 28th in her residence with her loving family by her side.
Born on November 3, 1946 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. She was the first of three daughters to Abe and Lorraine Forman. Andi grew up in Pottsville, graduating from Pottsville High School in 1964. After graduating, she attended the University of Pittsburgh, graduating with honors in 1968. In early 1967, she was setup on a blind date with Joel Strimban, another Pottsville native. Andi and Joel fell in love and were married on April 28, 1968. Three years later Andi and Joel had their first son, Michael, and four years after that their son, Aaron, was born. After living in Chambersburg, PA, Carlisle, PA and Kansas City, the Strimbans settled in Marietta, Georgia in 1979 where they made their home for the next four decades.
Andi raised both her children and worked full time. She was both a teacher and an executive assistant at several companies during her long career. Andi retired from work becoming a grandmother to her three grand children Ella, Sam and Phoebe. She loved spending time with them and taking every opportunity she could to shower them with love and presents.
Andi enjoyed games of every kind and was an avid tennis player. She loved tennis, both playing and watching her two sons compete throughout their childhood and college careers. Andi was also a huge Atlanta Braves fan. She fell in love with them during their “worst to first” season and watched them play at every opportunity.
Andi was known for her love of family, kindness and generosity. She will be deeply missed by her loving husband of 52 years, her two sons, her daughters in law Katie and Erin, her three grandchildren and her extended family.
Services and interment in Oheb Zedeck Cemetery will be private at the convenience of the family.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home | Pottsville, PA
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Born in Ashley, PA, December 16, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Theresa Korsack Aftuck and step-father Joseph P. Aftuck. Mary was raised in Shenandoah and a graduate of former J.W.Cooper High School, receiving awards for good grades and perfect attendance.
Following High School she worked for the War Department as a secretary, working with vital information of the Manhattan Project. Upon her return to the area, she worked for the former Martin Shirt Company, Shenandoah and was the Union Steward for the local ILGWU.
Mary was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville, serving as a lector for many years and was past Regent of the Catholic Daughters, St. James Court, Frackville; she also organized many bus trips to Atlantic City for the church.
She was a leading member of both Frackville and Shenandoah Senior Citizens, where her infectious spirit and enthusiasm lifted the spirits of everyone.
She will be remembered by all who knew of her joy and spirit. She loved being with her family, singing, dancing, and regaling her company with stories and jokes- she always had a song and dance at the ready! She was an excellent and effortless cook, a warm hostess, and a cheerful and welcoming friend to all who was proud of her Lithuanian heritage and presided over our holiday Wigilas with grace and charm.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Joseph E. Prosack, who passed on June 12, 2000 and is survived by her daughters, Claudia M. Prosack, Lititz and Jacqueline M. Thomas, Lancaster; granddaughters Rebecca Thomas and Katharine Thomas and husband Matt Thiel; all of Brooklyn, NY and great-granddaughters Charlotte and Mary.
Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday July 2, 2020, in St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Frackville, with Rev. Brian Miller as celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation following CDC guidelines of masks and social distancing Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. and again Thursday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Albert L. Gricoski Funeral Home, Frackville. Interment will be Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph the Worker Parish Memorial Fund, 7 S. broad Mountain Ave., Frackville or the Landis Homes Activity Fund, 1001 E. Oregon Rd, Lititz, PA 17543.
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Born on April 18, 1937 in Pine Grove, he was a son of the late John and Elva Clemens Zimmerman.
He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove.
John was a farmer, construction worker and Pine Grove township supervisor and worker.
Preceding him in death were two sons, John and Carl Zimmerman; three brothers, Paul, Lynn and Carl Zimmerman; four sisters, Mary Steffy, Lulu Reed, June Knarr and Jean Waterhouse.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Alma Aungst Zimmerman; four daughters, Lorraine and husband Leslie Brightbill, Grace and husband Abie Maidenford, Mary and husband Charles Wertz, all of Pine Grove, Susan and husband Dale Hine of New Ringgold; 10 grandchildren, Jason Hine, Angela Brown, Thomas Sleva, Jenny Hine, Amanda Daubert, Paul Sleva, Melissa Snyder, Charles Brightbill, Sarah Limbert and John Zimmerman; 23 great grandchildren, Faith, Bradley, Valerie, Macie, Makenzie, Tyler, Davin, Logan, Addison, Madison, Layla, Kylee, Hannah, Kamerin, Allison, Eliza, Austin, Tanner, Jayse, Callie, Dawson, Taylor and J.J.; a sister Joan Luksic of North Carolina, nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or the American Heart Association, Bldg A Suite 10, 25 Stevens Lane, West Lawn, Pa. 19609 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
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Darwin Leroy Stiely, 82, of Klingerstown, passed away Monday, June 29, 2020 at his residence.Darwin was born in Klingerstown, on January 22, 1938, a son of the late Wellington "Bud" and Verna (Clark) Stiely.
He graduated from the Tri-Valley High School and served in the US Army from 1957-1959.
Darwin was employed at various places as a heavy equipment operator.
He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Sacramento and was also a member of the Erdman Sportsman Club and a former member of the VFW in Valley View and Gratz.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Patricia (Wiest) Stiely, they were married March 5, 1960; two sons Kenneth, husband of Yvonne Stiely, of Hegins; Alan Stiely, of Sacramento; a daughter, Trisha, wife of Philip Mader, of Dauphin; 3 grandchildren, Derck Stiely and his wife Kayla, Timothy Stiely and his wife Angela, and Kayla Stiely; 8 great grandchildren Jonathan, Nicholas, Elliot and Savanah, and Kendra, Carsyn, Camdyn, and Kinsley; as well as nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a grandson Tyler Stiely, a daughter-in-law Darlene Stiely a sister Romaine Piergallini and a brother Ronald C. Stiely.
A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family at St. Paul's UCC Cemetery, Sacramento, with Rev. Ray Holland officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 2300 East Main St., Sacramento, PA 17968.
The Stephen R. Rothermel Funeral Home, Klingerstown has charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guest book please visit www.srrfh.com.
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