Skook News Obituaries: August 25th, 2020
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Marie B. Fitzpatrick, 96, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2020, at Orwigsburg Center.
Born on March 31, 1924, she was daughter of the late Linus G. and Frances V. (Smith) Bortzel and the widow of Robert John Fitzpatrick.
Raised in Pottsville, Marie moved to Schuylkill Haven after the 1993 death of her husband to be closer to family.
Marie was a 1942 graduate of Pottsville High School. She was a secretary at the original Yuengling Ice Cream Plant, worked for various law offices and until the time of her death, sold Avon for over 60 years.
She is preceded in death by an infant son Richard Fitzpatrick and by her siblings Catherine and Linus Bortzel.
She was an active member of St. John the Baptist Roman CC – Pottsville. Her many organizations that she was a current or past member: Pottsville Catholic War Vets Auxiliary Post 1051 (for which she was one of the original members), Catholic Women's Union, VFW and American Legion Aux., Former Yorkville Hose Aux., past president of Department of PA Catholic War Vets, Liederkranz.
Marie loved playing Bingo, especially with the Over 50 Club every Tuesday at her parish. She also had fun making an occasional trip to a Casino.
Marie enjoyed the yearly CWV Convention trips with her husband and continued the tradition even after his passing.
Marie is survived by three daughters, Ann Marie Shippee (Darwin), of Marietta, GA, Michele Fitzpatrick, of Groton, CT, Kathleen Scheibelhut (James Jr), of Schuylkill Haven, a son, Robert Fitzpatrick, of Pottsville.
She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Derek(Lisa), Danielle(Andrew), James III(Christie), Katrina(Paul), Dianna(Steven), Jeremy(Lauren), Kristyn(Cody), Jenna, Dara; 11 great-grandchildren Zoe, Aidan, Sophie, Ryleigh, Tessa, Fiona, Trace, Hailey, Adrianna, Orion, Ellie; 2 sisters Frances Dronick, Francine (Dolores) Bortzel and her companion Maria Gushanas; numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist, Pottsville on August 28 at 11:00 am with Father David Loeper officiating.
No visitation will be held at the Church prior to Mass.
In lieu of flowers, Donations, In Marie’s Memory, may be sent to: Berks Animal Hospital, Attn: Save the Strays Schuylkill, 10 Zion’s Church Road Ste101, Shoemakersville Pa 19555, Diakon Community Services 118 South Center Street, Pottsville, Pa 17901, The Office of Senior Services 110 East Laurel Blvd, Pottsville, Pa 17901 Or to the donor’s favorite charity.
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Melanie Ann Berry, 57 years of age, of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at home.
Born Tuesday, February 5, 1963 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania, she is the daughter Ruth Mae (Kranch) Berry, and the late Robert Berry.
Melanie was 1981 graduate of Tamaqua High School, and worked as a waitress for the Zimmerman family at Leiby's restaurant for 23 years. Melanie, had worked for Dr. Jewells in his Tamaqua dental office since 2009.
A Graveside Funeral Service will be held on Thursday August 27, 2020 at 2:00 PM from Odd Fellows Cemetery Tamaqua, Pennsylvania..
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Zachery James Wright, 38, of Lykens, passed away Tuesday, August 25th at his home.
Born in Salem, NJ, June 25, 1982, a son of Melanie Wright Hauser, Lykens.
Zack was a fiber optic lineman, when in 2009, he was in an accident resulting in the amputation of both his arms. Despite being a double amputee, Zack lived independently and on his own terms.
He enjoyed being out in the nature, whether riding his bicycle or hiking to Love Rock.
Surviving in addition to his mother; are two brothers, Frederick Hauser and his wife Amy, Wiconisco and Jacob Hauser and his fiancé Kaitlyn Ossman, Lykens; a sister, Anna Hauser, Lykens; aunt Kate Suddath, Lykens. uncle Jason Wright, Gratz; three nephews, two nieces and several cousins.
Services will be private. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
Zachery James Wright, 38, of Lykens, passed away Tuesday, August 25th at his home.
Born in Salem, NJ, June 25, 1982, a son of Melanie Wright Hauser, Lykens.
Zack was a fiber optic lineman, when in 2009, he was in an accident resulting in the amputation of both his arms. Despite being a double amputee, Zack lived independently and on his own terms.
He enjoyed being out in the nature, whether riding his bicycle or hiking to Love Rock.
Surviving in addition to his mother; are two brothers, Frederick Hauser and his wife Amy, Wiconisco and Jacob Hauser and his fiancé Kaitlyn Ossman, Lykens; a sister, Anna Hauser, Lykens; aunt Kate Suddath, Lykens. uncle Jason Wright, Gratz; three nephews, two nieces and several cousins.
Services will be private. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
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Born in Pottsville, he was the son of the late Charles and Regina Klem Vuksta.
He was a 1973 graduate of Minersville Area High School. He was a member of the former Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel Church, Minersville and was a member of Holy Family Parish, Minersville and St. Michael the Archangel Church, Minersville. He was employed by Argo Mills, Schoenaman’s and also as an electrical technician.
He is survived by a sister, Marie Drye and her husband Irvin, Pottsville; a nephew Anthony, Harrisburg; aunts and cousins.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in St. Nickolas Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Llewellyn. Arrangements are by the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, 328 Sunbury St., Minersville. To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Charles’s memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com
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Born in Pottsville, she was a daughter of Georgine Allen Weir and the late Raymond Weir.
She was a Pottsville High School graduate and attended post high school courses. She worked as a buyer for local companies. She was of the Catholic faith.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by a son, Matthew Weir and his wife Christine, Bally; a daughter, Carissa Wallace, Cumbola; 2 sisters, Denise Kauffman and Corinne Bauer; 2 brothers, Jeffrey Weir and Kevin Weir; nieces and nephews.
Private services will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, Minersville. To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Yvonne’s memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com
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Gloria R. (Anderson) Bechtel, RN, 94, died Sunday morning in her home in Pottsville.
Gloria, lovingly known as “Gee,” was born June 16, 1926, in Collingswood, NJ, the daughter of Nelson Stanley and Bertha Julia (Alexy) Anderson. After graduating from Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1944 and Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing in 1947, she joined the Cadet Nursing Corp. She worked in nursing and as a model prior to moving to Pottsville and marrying Dr. Edgar F. Bechtel in 1949. He preceded her in death on November 23, 1972.
Gloria was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School for 20 years and served on Church Council. A member of the American Red Cross, she volunteered on the Schuylkill and East Northumberland chapter and served as chairwoman. She was active in local Girl Scouts and served on the Board of Directors of the Penns Woods Girl Scout Council. Gloria was a member and past-president of the Good Samaritan Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, and a member of the Lehigh Valley Health Auxiliary. She was a charter member of the Women’s War Memorial in Washington, DC.
Gloria is survived by her son, David Bechtel (Alice), Mechanicsville; daughters Suzanne O’Neill, Gordon; Ginger Bartol (Jim), Pottsville; Alicia Vadyak, Schuylkill Haven; Barbara Bechtel, Gordon; Kristine Bechtel (Tom), Pottsville; Kimberly Weinstock (Jonathan), Chester, VA; grandchildren: Rev. David, Danny and Bobby (Emmy) Bechtel; Alyson Allman (Tom); Erik Bartol (Leeza); Jaime Whalen; John Vadyak; Dr. Justin Weinstock and Aaron Weinstock; and five great-grandchildren: Preston and Meadow Whalen; Jayden Gowin; Grayson Allman; and Mia Parry; and lifelong friend and caregiver Ruth Russell.
Service will be held at 11 AM Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, with Rev. Chris Rothharpt and her grandson Rev. David Bechtel officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:00 – 10:30 AM Saturday at James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Interment will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St., Pottsville, PA 17901. Anyone attending is asked to please wear a mask.
Please share your memories and condolences with Gloria's family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com
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