Skook News Obituaries: October 23rd, 2020
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Born in Darkwater, January 2, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Peter Resavage, an immigrant coal miner from Austria, and Anna (Schwartz) Resavage.
She was married to Michael J. Chizmar on May 19, 1946. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before he died in 2001.
In her younger days, she bowled on two league teams. She painstakingly painted ceramic Easter eggs and bunnies, along with crafting and decorating bird houses with her husband’s woodworking tools. She took upholstering classes at Pottsville High School to enhance her home furnishing and give them a custom touch. She hand made all of her décor from curtains to cabinets. Marie loved to craft and create all sorts of beautiful decorations. Some of the most incredible Christmas balls you have ever seen she made entirely from natural materials. Nothing was ever too difficult for her to accomplish.
Marie loved Nature and the outdoors. Camping with her family was a favorite pastime. She loved everything to do with flowers, had the most colorful and pristine gardens and spent countless hours gardening. One of her favorite things to do was going to garden centers, the Philadelphia Flower Show and various Orchid shows with her two daughters, Orchids being her passion! “The garden is food for the Soul” and it helped them get through their most difficult times.
An accomplished seamstress, she worked several local garment factories putting her sewing skills to work, with her first job at Phillips and Jones. She tailored the most charming outfits and costumes for her children. Everything she did was thoughtful and beautiful and perfect, down to the most minute detail. Nothing was ever too difficult for her to accomplish!
Her house and her children were her life’s work. Above all Marie loved spending time with her daughters going to Antique stores, Malls, craft shops farmers markets and pumpkins stands. Her and her youngest daughter, Jacqueline, being the best of friends! She will be lost without her Beautiful Mother’s constant companionship.
Marie was a devout parishioner of the former Immaculate Conception Church, St. Clair, where she served as Rosary Altar Society President and was an active volunteer. After the consolidations she became a founding member St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, St. Clair. Her faith in God was what got her through the all too many trials, sufferings and maladies in her life, including a battle with stomach cancer. Her devotion to Mary the Mother of God was insurmountable as she prayed the Rosary Daily. Marie was a very strong woman of faith and fortitude and was an example of what being a good Catholic is all about. She never complained and lived every moment of her life to its fullest. You were very fortunate if you had the pleasure to know Marie, who was always positive and joyful and wanted to do everything she could to make you feel loved. She was a blessing to her family, full of grace and compassion and most of all love. Please keep Marie’s precious soul in your prayers.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceeded in death by 3 sons Michael J. Chizmar; Edward M. Chizmar; and Joseph D. Chizmar; 5 brothers Michael, John, Joseph, Edward, and Fenton (Dave) as well as a sister Catherine Hilbert.
Surviving are 2 daughters Ann Marie Speacht and her husband John J. Jr. of Pottsville; Jacqueline Anderson and her husband Eric J. of Downingtown; Daughter-in-Law Carol Chizmar of Pottsville; Grandchildren John J. Speacht III and his wife Sara; Justin Speacht and his wife Heather; Jeremy Speacht and his companion Casandra; Great-Grandchildren Jacob, Abel, Ava, Hayden, Sydney, and Amelia Speacht. Nieces and Nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Monday October 26, from St. Clair of Assisi R.C.C., 250 E. Hancock St. Saint Clair, PA 17970. Msgr. William Glosser will be officiating. Friends may call from 9:30-10:30 at the church. In lieu of flower, contributions can be made to the church memorial fund at the above address or Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901. Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent to http://www.brucethartfuneralhome.com
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Sherlyn J. Houck Durham, 56, of Tower City, passed away Friday, October 23, 2020 after being diagnosed with cancer two months ago.
Born in Reading on February 6, 1964, a daughter of Sandra Messner Richards, Reading and the late Edward Houck. Sherlyn had been a certified nursing assistant. She was a bartender for several years at the former Corky's Tavern, Tower City.
She was a member of the Tower City Loyal Order of Moose, Tower City American Legion, Little Run Gun Club, Pine Grove VFW and the Bethel Fire Company.
Sherlyn enjoyed traveling, camping and spending time with her family, friends and her dog, Bently James. Her grandchildren were her world.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her daughter Trish Ann Fair, 2012 and a granddaughter Shaylynn Fair.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by two sons, Anthony Beck Jr., Tremont and Christopher Books, Pottsville; her grandchildren, Kelly and Kameryn Fair, Ashton Carl, Ryle Herb, Tytan Books, Paislee Snyder, Emma, Gavin and Isabella Beck; four sisters, Jolyn Fisher, Reading, Tracey Orpilla, California, Evonne Schlott, Reading and Roxanne Reiber, Reading; a brother Matthew Ulatowski, Reading. Nieces, nephews and many friends.
A Celebration of Sherlyn's life will be held on Saturday, November 7th at 11:00 am from the Christ United Methodist Church, Tower City, with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30-11 am. CDC guidelines will be followed. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to Hillside SPCA, Inc., PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send condolences to the family, visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
Born in Reading on February 6, 1964, a daughter of Sandra Messner Richards, Reading and the late Edward Houck. Sherlyn had been a certified nursing assistant. She was a bartender for several years at the former Corky's Tavern, Tower City.
She was a member of the Tower City Loyal Order of Moose, Tower City American Legion, Little Run Gun Club, Pine Grove VFW and the Bethel Fire Company.
Sherlyn enjoyed traveling, camping and spending time with her family, friends and her dog, Bently James. Her grandchildren were her world.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her daughter Trish Ann Fair, 2012 and a granddaughter Shaylynn Fair.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by two sons, Anthony Beck Jr., Tremont and Christopher Books, Pottsville; her grandchildren, Kelly and Kameryn Fair, Ashton Carl, Ryle Herb, Tytan Books, Paislee Snyder, Emma, Gavin and Isabella Beck; four sisters, Jolyn Fisher, Reading, Tracey Orpilla, California, Evonne Schlott, Reading and Roxanne Reiber, Reading; a brother Matthew Ulatowski, Reading. Nieces, nephews and many friends.
A Celebration of Sherlyn's life will be held on Saturday, November 7th at 11:00 am from the Christ United Methodist Church, Tower City, with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30-11 am. CDC guidelines will be followed. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to Hillside SPCA, Inc., PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send condolences to the family, visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
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Hazel J. Menchinsky, 80, a lifelong resident of Williamstown, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at the Tremont Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Hazel was born in Williamstown, June 26, 1940, a daughter of the late Jack and Bessie Foster McNeal. She was a 1958 graduate of the former Williamstown High School.
She was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Williamstown, where she was a member of the PCCW and a former church secretary. Hazel was a member and volunteer for the Williamstown and Gratz Historical Societies. She had a passion for genealogy and researching ancestors, and was often sought out for her expertise in finding descendants.
She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother and sister. Just like her mother, Hazel was gifted in culinary arts of baking and cooking. She spent many summers canning Len's garden crop for her family. She crafted many menus and meals for summer church camps. Hazel's kitchen was the center of family life, filled with love and laughter, a welcoming spot to share her favorite cup of hot tea and homemade sweets.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Leonard J. Menchinsky and a brother Raymond McNeal.
She is survived by her children, Gwen Truett, Virginia; Brad Miller, Texas; Joseph Menchinsky, Alaska; and Johanna Payne, Georgia; five grandchildren, five great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; two sisters, Elizabeth Whitehead, Williamstown and Jacki Stucki, Lebanon. Nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 11 am from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Williamstown with Rev. Michael Opoki, AJ as celebrant. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to, Sacred Heart Church, c/o the parish office 732 Main St, Lykens, PA 17048. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
Hazel was born in Williamstown, June 26, 1940, a daughter of the late Jack and Bessie Foster McNeal. She was a 1958 graduate of the former Williamstown High School.
She was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Williamstown, where she was a member of the PCCW and a former church secretary. Hazel was a member and volunteer for the Williamstown and Gratz Historical Societies. She had a passion for genealogy and researching ancestors, and was often sought out for her expertise in finding descendants.
She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother and sister. Just like her mother, Hazel was gifted in culinary arts of baking and cooking. She spent many summers canning Len's garden crop for her family. She crafted many menus and meals for summer church camps. Hazel's kitchen was the center of family life, filled with love and laughter, a welcoming spot to share her favorite cup of hot tea and homemade sweets.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Leonard J. Menchinsky and a brother Raymond McNeal.
She is survived by her children, Gwen Truett, Virginia; Brad Miller, Texas; Joseph Menchinsky, Alaska; and Johanna Payne, Georgia; five grandchildren, five great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; two sisters, Elizabeth Whitehead, Williamstown and Jacki Stucki, Lebanon. Nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 11 am from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Williamstown with Rev. Michael Opoki, AJ as celebrant. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to, Sacred Heart Church, c/o the parish office 732 Main St, Lykens, PA 17048. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
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