Obituaries for Schuylkill County and the surrounding areas.
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Tom was born in Shenandoah on January 19th, 1947, son of the late Thomas and Blanche (Yockachonis) Dower.
Tom graduated from Shenandoah Catholic and then went onto serving his country as a Marine during the Vietnam War. He had worked many years in the coal industry as a heavy equipment operator, recently retiring from Jeddo Coal Company Hazleton. He was the proud owner and operator of the “Celebrity Room” Frackville.
He was a member of the former Annunciation BVM Church Shenandoah.
Tom is survived by his wife Robin, a brother Joseph, husband of Joann, of Morea, 2 daughters Christina Dower of Wilkes Barre, Michelle Joline of Ashland , a son Thomas Jr. of Mahanoy City, three step daughters, Nicole Russell of Frackville, Lorrie Bindie of Shenandoah and Corrie DiNofa of Primros and by 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and his German Shepherd Cinder.
Tom is preceded in death by a brother Leonard Dower, a sister Jean Boyle, and a daughter Tracey (Guerrero) Dower and his best friend “Duke”.
Interment will be private at the Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Annville PA.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and send sympathy cards.
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Robert J. Garland, age 83, of Pottsville, PA passed away with his loving family by his side on Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 at his home.
Born in Schuylkill Haven, PA on September 24, 1936, he was the son of the late George and Caroline (Sinko) Garland.
Bob was a graduate of Pottsville High School, Class of 1955. He served in the US Army Reserves. Bob worked as a Police Officer for the Pottsville Police Department for 26 years until retiring in 1994.
He was of the Protestant Faith. Bob was a lifetime member of the West End Hose Company No.7 in Pottsville, the American Motorcycle Club, and the Faternal Order of Police Lodge No.44. Bob was an avid golfer and fisherman..
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers: Clarence and Joseph Frasnelli, Edward Mistishun, and Arthur Garland, and a sister Jean Haag.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy M. (Miller) Garland, Pottsville; two daughters: Denise L. Garland and her husband James Hannaway, Pittsburgh and Cheryl L. Muncy and her husband Gregory, Schuylkill Haven; a son David J. Garland and his wife Donna, Schuylkill Haven; four grandchildren: Ryan Muncy and his wife Amanda, Hayden Muncy, Devon Muncy, and Zachary Garland; a great-granddaughter Abigail; a great-grandson Maddox; a sister Judy Garland, Pottsville; and nieces and nephews.
Services and Interment will be held private.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements. Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com
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Born on June 5, 1998, he was the son of Robert William Hancock and Barbara (Grigas) Hancock, both of Shenandoah.
Brandon was a 2017 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School and enjoyed his work for Local 542 of the operating engineers.
Brandon was an outgoing, lovable person who enjoyed spending his time with his friends, running heavy equipment, and driving his Can-Am.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert Andrew Hancock, his grandmother, Rose Shaffer, his grandfather, Stanley “Skip” Grigas, and his childhood dog, Georgie.
He is survived by his parents, father Robert W. Hancock, mother Barbara (Grigas) Hancock, his 2 siblings, Robert Joseph Hancock and his wife Tiffani, and Brenna Hancock, nephews – Ethan and Asher Hancock, grandparents- Judy Hartzell Syzdek and Paul Syzdek, and William Shaffer, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Brandon’s life will live on through those who will receive the gift of life from his selfless act of donating his organs.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, July 11th from 7am to 11am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah with Scripture Services at 11am conducted by Pastor Jack Murray.
Contributions in Brandon’s memory may be made to the Children’s Miracle Network care of the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital by clicking the link below:
www.geisinger.org/sites/cmn
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