Obituaries for Schuylkill County and the surrounding areas.
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Born in Schuylkill Haven, PA, on November 1, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Clifford and Lucille Shoener. Debra was a 1976 graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School. She recently worked at the Lehigh Valley Hospital (formally known as Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center) for over 30 years as a physical therapist aide.
Debra was a past member of the First United Methodist Church, Schuylkill Haven.
She married the late Wayne Martz in 1979 and they were married for 34 years before losing her beloved husband in 2013. In addition to her parents and husband, Debra is preceded in death by her sister Mary Shoener and her brother Clifford Shoener Jr.
Debra is survived by her daughter Dana Callirgos, wife of Michael Callirgos, daughter Denise Webber, wife of Gerald Webber; two grandchildren Nathaniel Webber and Audrianna Webber; brother Charles Shoener and wife Beverly Shoener, brother Donald “Gus” Shoener and wife Christine Shoener, sister Sally Bender, brother Dennis Shoener; sister-in-law, Deborah McBreen, brother-in-law, Robert Martz, and brother-in law William Martz and wife Gwen Martz; Godparents to Debra’s children, Jim Carey and wife Cathy Carey; nieces and nephews; friends; relatives.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Geschwindt Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc, Schuylkill Haven on Monday, July 13 at 10:30 am with Reverend Jim Fidler officiating. A visitation will be held prior from 9:30 am until the time of the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society 101 Frack St. Frackville, PA 17931-1734 or Geschwindt Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc. 25 East Main Street Schuylkill Haven PA 17972, to help defray the funeral costs.
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Born Sunday, May 31, 1942 in Neptune, New Jersey the daughter of the late William R. Dixon and Mary Margaret Grubby. She was also predeceased by her brother, William R. Dixon.
Surviving are; daughters, Nancy Ann Aumack - Levine and her wife Eleanor, of Galloway, NJ, Patti Paxton of Galloway, NJ; son, Christopher Thomas Aumack of Florida; brother, David Dixon of Manchester, NJ; sister, Vivian Leigh Seagraves of Florida; grand children, Meagan, Chelsie, Krysten; 9 great grand children.
Connie had worked for New York Life Insurance in Freehold New Jersey for 15 years in the Claims Dept., and retired from Langveld Bulb Co. of Lakewood, NJ. She was an active member of Bethany E.C.C. Chruch of Tamaqua.
Private arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Interment Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold, New Jersey.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Born Tuesday, April 4, 1950 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania the son the late John W., and Rose Mary (Piech) Whildin.
Surviving are; his wife of 48 years, Rosie (Boyd) Whildin; sons, Robert J. Whildin, Brian A. Whildin, Mark W. Whildin all of Coaldale; brother, Donald Whildin and his wife Cathy of Coaldale; sister, Mary Richards and her husband Bryce of Tamaqua; grand children, Sarah, Kobe, Lena, Maddie, Khloe; great grandchild, Flynn Allen Hartzell.
Bob retired from Lehigh Coal & Navigation having worked as a welder. He served honorably as a member of the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, and was an active member of Grace Community Church of Lansford. An outdoorsman, Bob enjoyed spending time with his family and caring for his dogs.
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
A Celebration of Bob's Life will be held on Tuesday July 14, 2020 from Grace Community Church of 18 West Ridge Street Lansford, Pennsylvania 18232. Friends may call in church from 9:30 A.M. until time of celebration.
Interment with Military Honors will be in Sky-View Memorial Park, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to the church.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Born in Hazleton on May 6, 1949 he was a son of the late Raymond S. and Anna E. (Falatko) Hasker.
He attended schools in Hazleton.
Earlier in life, he worked for the former Wally’s Service Station, Shenandoah, Lynn’s Auto, Zion Grove, and the Shenandoah Rag Company. He retired from Meadow Burke in Hazleton.
Gary was of the Catholic faith. He enjoyed camping, fishing and going to yard sales. He was also a train enthusiast. But above all and of most importance to him was spending time with his family.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were three sisters, Jeanette White, Rita Miller and Dolores Rhoades; and one brother, Dennis Hasker.
Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Marie J. (Lindenmuth) Hasker; one son, Gary L. Hasker, Jr. of Wapwallopen; one daughter, Patricia Burke of Shenandoah; five grandchildren, Raymond, Rick, and Hope Hasker, Brett Burke and Tamara Longenberger; four great-grandchildren, Elly, Lilly, Emberlyn and Ryan; one brother, Sylvester Hasker; four sisters, Shirley Jackson, Joyce Lazar, Nancy Windsor, Lynda Schlenker; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Private religious services will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 6:00 pm at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian officiating. A private viewing will be held on Sunday from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the funeral home. All CDC and PA Department of Health COVID-19 guidelines will be observed.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 or at Heart.org.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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James C. Palestis, Jr., 52, of Girardville, PA passed away Monday, July 6,2020 Mahanoy Plane, PA.
Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey September 16,1967 the son of the late James C. and Angie Palestis. He graduated from Perth Amboy High School and worked on construction until retirement. Surviving are Daniel and Ann Marie Brennan of Mahanoy Plane, PA.
Memorial Services will be held Thursday, July 16,2020 at 2:00 P.M. from the Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home, Ashland, PA. A time for visitation from 12 Noon til time of Service. Rev. Dana Heckman-Biel officiating.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Betty H. Kaler, 88, of Orwigsburg passed away Tuesday while at Orwigsburg Center. Born January 7, 1932 she was the daughter of the late Clifford Heiser and Anna Meyers.
She was a graduate of Orwigsburg High School in 1949.
Betty was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg.
In addition to her parents Betty is predeceased by her husband William who passed away in 2017 and a sister Sylvia Moyer.
She is survived by nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park. Grabowski Funeral Home is entrusted with the services.
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