Obituaries for Schuylkill County and the surrounding areas.
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James Robert Schlegel, 68, of Hegins, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2020 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
James was born in Hebe, on August 3, 1951, a son of the late Roy and Beatrice (Wolfgang) Schlegel.
He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and was employed as a coal miner for 27 years, last working at Harmony Coal Mine in Mount Carmel.
He was a member of the Mandata Legion Post, the VFW and Valley View Gun Club both of Valley View and had been a member of the former Valley View Fire Company.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren and enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, and gardening.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years Monica (Bixler) Schlegel,they were married September 16, 1989; a son,Roy, wife of Caitlin Schlegel, of Valley View; one brother, William Schlegel and his wife Gloria, Valley View, sister Ruby Boyer , Myerstown, and two grandsons Robert and Michael.
He was preceded in death by a brother Larry Schlegel and a sister Romaine Forney.
A Graveside service will be held at David's Cemetery, Hebe at a time to be announced.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the funeral home to help with funeral expenses.
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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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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Robert F. McNamara, 58, died Tuesday at WellSpan York Hospital. Robert died after a few-year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia and, finally, COVID-19. Robert was a patient at Pleasant Acres Nursing Home, York, for the past 20 months.
Born in Pottsville to the late Theresa and William McNamara, he was a 1979 graduate of Minersville Area High School graduating with Cum Laude Honors. He went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia with a Bachelor of Business and Accounting in 1983, followed with a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Scranton in 1995. Robert studied in London and Russia, and held many positions, too; including working for the US Department of Defense in Washington DC as a Senior Auditor for 20 years before taking early retirement. Robert traveled with his Brother Billy throughout the world including such places as Morocco, Portugal, the Vatican, Sorrento Italy, Laguna Beach CA, Fort Lauderdale FL, St Petersburg Russia, Moscow Russia and Eagles Mere PA. He loved taking his yearly trip to London to visit Minersville residents and their family members who resided in England. He was an avid fan of playing at the casinos throughout the Middle Atlantic states and attending Holy Family Church in Minersville.
Robert is survived by his brother, David and his son, Jonathan, Thornton PA; his sister, Mary Florida and brother-in-law, Paul, Reading, and their children Andrea, Tony and Janelle; his brother, William, and his partner, Jesus, of Washington, DC.
The family will accept visitors on Saturday from 10:45 A.M. at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville. Visitors are expected to follow CDC guidelines regarding wellness and social distancing. Visitation will end promptly at 11:15 A.M. when procession will form. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Noon in St. John the Baptist Church, 913 Mahantongo St, Pottsville. Interment will be in St. John the Baptist #2 Cemetery, Pottsville. The family request donations made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA.org).
Born in Pottsville to the late Theresa and William McNamara, he was a 1979 graduate of Minersville Area High School graduating with Cum Laude Honors. He went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia with a Bachelor of Business and Accounting in 1983, followed with a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Scranton in 1995. Robert studied in London and Russia, and held many positions, too; including working for the US Department of Defense in Washington DC as a Senior Auditor for 20 years before taking early retirement. Robert traveled with his Brother Billy throughout the world including such places as Morocco, Portugal, the Vatican, Sorrento Italy, Laguna Beach CA, Fort Lauderdale FL, St Petersburg Russia, Moscow Russia and Eagles Mere PA. He loved taking his yearly trip to London to visit Minersville residents and their family members who resided in England. He was an avid fan of playing at the casinos throughout the Middle Atlantic states and attending Holy Family Church in Minersville.
Robert is survived by his brother, David and his son, Jonathan, Thornton PA; his sister, Mary Florida and brother-in-law, Paul, Reading, and their children Andrea, Tony and Janelle; his brother, William, and his partner, Jesus, of Washington, DC.
The family will accept visitors on Saturday from 10:45 A.M. at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville. Visitors are expected to follow CDC guidelines regarding wellness and social distancing. Visitation will end promptly at 11:15 A.M. when procession will form. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Noon in St. John the Baptist Church, 913 Mahantongo St, Pottsville. Interment will be in St. John the Baptist #2 Cemetery, Pottsville. The family request donations made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA.org).
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Marie T. Scheuren, 94, of Pottsville, passed away on Tuesday afternoon in her residence with her family by her side.Born in Pottsville, on December 12, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Paul A. and Mary E. (Hanley) Purcell.
She was a member of St. Patrick R.C.C., Pottsville.
Marie was a homemaker all of her life.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sons, Frank L. Jr., in 1970 and Thomas J. , in 2008; and brothers: Paul E. and John F. Purcell.
She is survived by her husband, Frank Leo Scheuren, to whom she was married for 71 years; granddaughter, Elizabeth Scheuren, of Pound Ridge, NY; sister, Elizabeth A. Morris, of Oxford, PA; brother, Richard A. Purcell, of Pottsville; and several nieces and nephews.
Services and interment in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Hillside, will be private at the convenience of the family.
The family request contributions in Marie's memory be sent to: Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901 or a charity of your choice.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
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He was a US Marine veteran having served with Company “M”, 3rd Battalion and was last stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC.
He worked as a Section Leader for copper mill section of Precision Tubing Company for over 40 years until his retirement.
He was a member St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Landsdale and a member of the American Legion.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Ruth Antalosky, April 2020 and a brother Robert Zimmerman.
Tony is survived by his wife of 58 years Kathleen Rabbitz Zimmerman; a daughter Donna Zimmerman; two sons; Greg and his wife Kathleen and Kevin and his companion Kimberly Smith; all of Lansdale; two grandchildren; Reggie and Chanel Cottman; great-grandchildren Haiden and Evie Gradel; nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday July 11, 2020, in St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Frackville. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation following CDC guidelines of masks and social distancing Saturday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Albert L. Gricoski Funeral Home, Frackville. Interment with Military Honors will be in Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown.
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William H. “Bill” “Chappie” Chapman, 77, of New Ringgold, formerly of Summit Hill, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at his home. He was the husband of Sharon Lee (Swanger) Focht Chapman, having been married for 42 years. Born in Parkesburg, PA, he was the son of the late Edward and Frances (Smith) Chapman. He was a graduate of Octorara Area High School, Class of 1961. Bill was a police officer for the Coatsville Police Dept. He became a partner for the Wild Cat Bar in Reynolds and then became a partner for the Empress Garden Bar in Lehighton for 6 years. In 1979, Bill and his wife Sharon bought the Parkview Inn in Summit Hill where he was known for his “Chappie Burger” and enjoyed to serve the community until retiring in 2019. In between flipping burgers and filling drinks at the Parkview Inn, Bill also worked for Executive Auto Gallery in Walnutport since 2004, until recently taking ill. Bill served as a Summit Hill Councilman for 8 years, having held the position of Vice President. He also was a Legislative Aid in Lansford for the former Speaker of the House for several years and worked in security at the Mohegan Sun Casino when it opened in 2005. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Bill was a member of the Lehighton Legion, Vietnam Last Man’s Club, Masonic Lodge, Summit Hill Italian Club, New Ringgold Fire Company and was a former member of the Blue Ridge Country Club. Bill enjoyed golfing, going to the casino and doing extensive traveling.Surviving along with his wife; is a Daughter, Jessica Fink, wife of John of Broomall; Step Children, Glen Focht and his wife Beth of Coaldale and Kara, wife of John Conahan of Andreas; Brothers, Edward of Parkesburg and Robert and his wife Joanne of Tamaqua; Sister, Loretta Robinson, wife of Norman of West Chester; Grandchildren, Alec Focht and wife Rebecca, Deanna Focht, Elena Chapman and Lauren Fink; Great Grandchildren, Rylan and Emma; Several Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by his Brother, James.
Memorial Service is on Friday, July 17, 2020 at 1 p.m. from the Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home, 54 W. Fell St. Summit Hill with S.A.L.M. Emma Weaver officiating. Calling Hours are Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. All attending the services are required to wear masks and follow all CDC regulations. Online Condolences may be shared at www.parambofh.com.
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