Skook News Obituaries: September 26th, 2020
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Joseph "Billy" Smigo, 86 of Pottsville, died Wednesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.
He was born May 24, 1934 in Minersville a son of the late Michael and Eva Hoptak Smigo.
He was a graduate of Pottsville High School and Penn State University.
He was a veteran of the Marine Corp having served during the Korean War and attaining the rank of Sgt.
Prior to retiring he was employed by the former Hasting Pavement, Leesport.
He was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, Catholic War Vets Post 1059 Walter Griffiths AMVET Post 180, American Legion and Friedensburg Gun Club.
He was preceded in death 2 sisters, Julie Cairns and Mary Shuman.
Surviving are his wife Ruth Frankenstein Smigo; children, Cherylyn Pugh, Brenda Ries, Cynthia Amaton, Phil Smigo, Russ Smigo, Lenore Pal, Renee Stein, grandchildren, Larry, Dustin, Jennifer, Christy, Carrie, Rick, Brianna and great-grandchildren.
Services will be private from James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Interment with Military honors will be private at Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
Joseph "Billy" Smigo, 86 of Pottsville, died Wednesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.
He was born May 24, 1934 in Minersville a son of the late Michael and Eva Hoptak Smigo.
He was a graduate of Pottsville High School and Penn State University.
He was a veteran of the Marine Corp having served during the Korean War and attaining the rank of Sgt.
Prior to retiring he was employed by the former Hasting Pavement, Leesport.
He was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, Catholic War Vets Post 1059 Walter Griffiths AMVET Post 180, American Legion and Friedensburg Gun Club.
He was preceded in death 2 sisters, Julie Cairns and Mary Shuman.
Surviving are his wife Ruth Frankenstein Smigo; children, Cherylyn Pugh, Brenda Ries, Cynthia Amaton, Phil Smigo, Russ Smigo, Lenore Pal, Renee Stein, grandchildren, Larry, Dustin, Jennifer, Christy, Carrie, Rick, Brianna and great-grandchildren.
Services will be private from James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Interment with Military honors will be private at Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
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Xena Martofel, 22, of Coal Twp., passed away Thursday September 24, 2020, in Kulpmont PA.
Born in Pottsville, January 12, 1998, She was a daughter of Shannon Dean and John Martofel.
In addition to her parents, surviving are sister Gabrielle Martofel of Pottsville; step-mother Danielle Stoud of Coal Twp.; Maternal Grandmother Margaret Dean of Gilberton; Paternal Grandmother Caroline Martofel of Mahanoy Plane; step-grandfather Walter Kuczynski; Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Born in Pottsville, January 12, 1998, She was a daughter of Shannon Dean and John Martofel.
In addition to her parents, surviving are sister Gabrielle Martofel of Pottsville; step-mother Danielle Stoud of Coal Twp.; Maternal Grandmother Margaret Dean of Gilberton; Paternal Grandmother Caroline Martofel of Mahanoy Plane; step-grandfather Walter Kuczynski; Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
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Gail L. Forte, 69, of Andreas, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2020, in Lehigh Valley Hospice, Allentown.
Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late James and R. Beryl (Gross) Minnich. She was of Protestant faith. Prior to retiring, she was employed at Kraft Foods, Fogelsville, for 40 years. She was a member of the Lehighton Orioles # 183. Gail enjoyed traveling, gardening, camping and trips to the casino. She loved her dogs Rocky and Charlie. She was very artistic and great at decorating. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Jeremy, and two brothers, James and David.
Surviving are her companion of 10 years, Randy L. Fritz, Andreas; three daughters, Jennifer, wife of Kevin Schwartz, of Winfield, Allyson, wife of Matt Ketteringham, of Baltimore, MD, and Krista Lenig, of New Tripoli; sister, Lois, wife of Mike Ring, of Allentown; six grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 8pm on Wednesday, September 30, at the Hartman Funeral Home with the Rev. Virginia M. Heimer officiating. Call from 6-8pm. Private interment.
Contributions may be made to the Carbon County Animal Shelter, 63 Broad St., Nesquehoning, PA 18240. A Celebration of Life will be held at Lehighton Orioles and will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold. Online condolences may be made at www.hartmanfuneralhomeinc.com.
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William M. Bretzius, Jr., 89, of Fox Rd. Schuylkill Haven, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2020 in the Tremont Health & Rehab Center.
Born on April 29, 1931 in Pine Grove Twp., he was a son of the late William M., Sr. and Bertha Wolfe Bretzius.
He worked in the maintenance department and retired from Argo.
William was a member of Hetzel's UCC, Pine Grove.
Preceding him in death was a brother, Carl Bretzius.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family with interment in Hetzel's Cemetery, Pine Grove.
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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Survivors in addition to her parents:
Brothers: Samuel Jr., Jonathan, and Blake Leedom
Sisters: Lilly and Faith Leedom
Paternal Grandparents: Tom and Janet Shuck Leedom, Ashland
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of arrangements.
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