Skook News Obituaries: November 2nd, 2020
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Ken was born in Trenton, PA on July 19, 1959, a son of the late Eleanor (Reilly) and Edward Karlavage, Sr.
Ken was a graduate of Mahanoy Area class of 1977.
He was a member of St. Richards Church Barnesville.
Ken was Chairman of the Delano Twp Supervisors for seven years, chairman of the Schuylkill county land bank, secretary-treasurer of the executive board of Schuylkill county twp supervisors, Vice President of the Schuylkill county organization of governments, member of the emergency management team of Schuylkill County. Ken was the Republican committee man for Delano Twp.
Ken was an avid car buff. His 1932 Chevy Confederate was his passion.
Ken was employed by Acme Markets for 30 years. Working in various stores in the area until moving to the corporate office in Malvern PA. Ken was also employed by KME after his retirement from ACME.
He was the husband of Kelly (Eichman) Karlavage to whom he was married to for 35 years and was together with for 42 years.
Ken is also survived by a son, Kyle, of Delano; and by a sister, Eileen Karlavage, of Trenton; a niece Michele who was like a sister, of Trenton, Chad Karlavage and Terry Karlavage both of Shenandoah.
He is preceded in death by a brother Edward Karlavage Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Mahanoy City, PA, at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 7th, with Rev. Eric Tolentino & Rev. Kevin P. Gallagher officiating.
Friends may call Saturday 8:30 to 10AM at the Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc.
Burial will be held at Skyview Memorial at the convenience of the family.
Family prefers donations be made to the Delano Township Recreation Committee in care of Kelly Karlavage for benches to be purchased for the Delano Basketball court, which was Ken’s latest pet project.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book, view Video Tribute and send sympathy cards.
Jean M. (Meiswinkle) (Robitaille) Hill, 93, of Pottsville, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2020 in Pottsville.
She was a life-long resident of Pottsville, born on June 18, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Albert F. Sr. and Marie A. (Derr) Meiswinkel.
She was a graduate of Pottsville High School, and worked as a legal stenographer.
She was not only a loving mother, but provided care for her mother and brother Albert (Junior) for many years.
She was a member of St John the Baptist Catholic Church. She was very social, enjoyed music and dancing, and was an active member The Pottsville Club for many years. She enjoyed traveling; her destinations included Hawaii, San Francisco, England, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Michigan, and Canada.
In addition to her parent she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Henry Robitaille, husband, Franklin Hill, sister, Marie Berner, and brothers, Albert and Robert Meiswinkle.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Sharon Robitaille Connell, wife of George R., Frederick, MD; her son Deacon Glenn Robitaille, husband of Julie, Dunellen, NJ.; seven grandchildren, Shannon, George Harold, Timothy and Eileen Connell and Gabriel, Daniel and Michael Robitaille; and nieces and nephews.
A private funeral service will be held from Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 W. St., Pottsville. Interment will be held in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Pottsville. Please visit SchlitzerAllenPugh.com to leave a condolence for the family.
Mario M. Cherry, 99, of Pottsville passed away on Friday morning in Pottsville.
Born on April 30, 1921 in Darkwater, New Castle Township, Mario was a son of the late Carmen (Spina) and Ralph Cherry.
He attended St. Clair School and is a graduate of Motor Maintenance School, Fort Benning, GA, where he attended while in the service.
Mario was a member of St. Patrick’s Church.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He was a Sgt T/4 in World War II with the 104-inf Divison (Timberwolf) from Dec. 1, 1942-Dec. 1, 1945. He was awarded the following medals: Victory Good Conduct, Combat Inf, Sharp Shooter, African Eastern Compaign, Distinguished Unit Citation, Bronze Star with 1 star, and Occupation Medal. He also drove trucks on the Red Ball Route hauling supplies to the front lines.
Mario was a lifetime member of VFW Post #129, Pottsville.
He worked at Repplier Coal Co., Alcoa, Detroit Mobil Homes, and retired as a foreman in shipping and receiving at Jones & Hunt Inc.
In addition to his parents, Mario was preceded in death by his wife, Irene (Matsko) Cherry in 1991, a daughter, Denise in 1956, a son, Anthony D. (Tony) Cherry in 1966, and also brothers: Anthony A. Cherry, who was killed in action in World War II; Salvador, Alphonsus and Ralph Cherry Jr. He was the last surviving member of his family.
Mario is survived by several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be announced at a later date.
Interment in Calvary Cemetery will be private at the convenience of the family.
The family request contributions in Mario's memory be sent to: Nativity BVM High School Band, Lawton Hill, Pottsville, PA 17901, in memory of Anthony D. Cherry, class of 1965, as requested by father, Mario Cherry and St. Patrick R.C.C., Memorial Fund, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home | Pottsville, PA
Clayton S. Schnoke, 92, of Pine Grove, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2020 in the Tremont Health & Rehab. Center.
Born on April 28, 1928 in Pine Grove, he was a son of the late Harry and Sallie Heiser Schnoke.
Clayton was a WWII veteran and Gunners Mate in the U.S. Navy, where he served for 21 years. He was a Supervisor at Newport Homes, Pine Grove.
He was a member of Pine Grove VFW, and the Hickory Mountain Hunting Club. He loved to hunt and fish.
Preceding him in death was his wife, Twila Hammershy Schnoke in 2018.
Surviving are a daughter, Terry and husband Lynn Spittler of Pine Grove; grandson, Jamey Spittler; great granddaughter, Saige Spittler; and four brothers, Leroy, Charles, Harry and Harold Schnoke, all of Pine Grove.
Graveside Services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, with Pastor Barry Spatz officiating.
The family would prefer, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Assoc. Inc. 2595 Interstate Dr. Suite 100 Harrisburg, PA 17110, in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com.
Rose M. Smith, 84, Pottsville, formerly of Girardville passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 1st, at The Gardens of York Terrace, Pottsville.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday from St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Fountain Springs with Rev. Brian Miller officiating.
John Michael Thomas, 94, of Pottsville, passed away Sunday, November 1st, at Seton Manor Inc., Orwigsburg.
John was born in Pottsville on January 12, 1926, a son of the late Wadia Joseph and Bashara Thomas.
He was the husband of Helen M. (Yurenko) Thomas.
He was a practicing Catholic and served in the military, 10th Mountain Division and served in Italy as an Army Medic. He was also awarded the Bronze Star.
He worked as a carpenter during his lifetime.
John is survived by seven children, 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one daughter.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Orwigsburg, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Elizabeth L. "Betty" Haverty, age 98, of Schuylkill Haven, PA passed away Saturday, October 31st, 2020 at Schuylkill Center in Pottsville.
Born in Saint Clair, PA on October 17, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Luther and Phoebe (Clocker) Johns.
Betty was a graduate of Saint Clair High School. She did volunteer work in Fort Lauderdale, FL at the Broward County Hospital.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Robert W. Haverty on December 27, 1991, her daughter Judith D. "Judy" Demyan, two sisters: Thelma Gerber and Marion Demko, and a brother Luther Johns Jr.
Betty is survived by two granddaughters: Sharon M. Demyan and her partner Sarah, Allentown; and Susan E. Stratton and her husband Eric, South Hadley, MA; two great-grandchildren: Stephen T. and Alexis J. Stratton, South Hadley, MA; three sisters: Jacqueline Berdanier, Port Carbon; Geraldine Salata, Saint Clair; and Lilian Fliegel, Tucson, AR.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in St. Clair at 11AM on Wednesday, November 4th, with Msgr. William Glosser officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing on Wednesday 9-10:30AM at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home in Port Carbon.
Interment will be held in the Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery in Pottsville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas PL, Memphis, TN 38105.
Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com
Charitable donations may be made in Elizabeth's memory to the following organization:St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
http://www.stjude.org
501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Tel: 901 495 3300
Angel M. Ortiz-Torres, 69, of Greenwood Road, Tower City, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2020 at his home.
Angel was born January 9, 1951 in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, a son of the late Jose and Mariano Torres Onits.
While living in Puerto Rico, Angel was employed as a heavy equipment operator.
He is survived by his four children, Ricardo Oritz-Rivera (Maria), Tower City; Issac Ortiz-Rivera (Evelyn) Lebanon; Edna Ortiz-Rivera (Berto) and Davis Ortiz-Rivera (Jacqueline) both of Puerto Rico. Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
All services for Angel will held at the Funeraria Rossy Memorial, Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with all local and transportation arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
Richard D Morgan. age 81, of Amber Woods at Harmar Village, Cheswick, formerly of Valley View, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2020 at his residence.
He was born on Wednesday, March 15, 1939, in Valley View, a son of the late Roy Morgan and the late Lilly Shaffer Morgan.
He was a graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School.
Richard served in the US Army during the Korean War.
He retired as a machinist for the former TRW, Harrisburg.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley View.
He was also a member of VFW Post 8237 and American Legion Post 575 both of Valley View, and a member and former president of the Tri-Valley Lions Club.
Richard was also a Red Coat Volunteer for years at the former Pottsville Hospital.
He enjoyed golfing, bowling, gardening, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Morgan. He was also preceded in death by his parents; by two brothers, Clayton Morgan and Ernest Morgan; and by two sisters Marian Matter and Beulah Hoy.
He is survived by two daughters, Tracy Forrest and her husband Cliff of Pittsburgh, and Stacy Jenkins and her husband Steve of Templeton; two step daughters, Cathy Leitzel and her husband Robert of Hegins, and Beth Harman and her husband Jeff of Hegins; a step son, Donald Morgan; two granddaughters, Abby Jenkins and Kirsten Forrest both of Pittsburgh; a grandson, Cliff Forrest, Jr of Pittsburgh; two brothers, Chester Morgan of Hegins and Ronald Morgan of Millersburg; a sister, Alice Erdman of Raleigh, NC; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, on Thursday, November 5, 2020, at 2:00 pm, with Rev. Annette Shutt officiating.
A viewing will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.
Burial with Military Honors will be made in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Valley View.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Tri-Valley Lions Club, 535 E Main St, Hegins PA 17938.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.
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She was a life-long resident of Pottsville, born on June 18, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Albert F. Sr. and Marie A. (Derr) Meiswinkel.
She was a graduate of Pottsville High School, and worked as a legal stenographer.
She was not only a loving mother, but provided care for her mother and brother Albert (Junior) for many years.
She was a member of St John the Baptist Catholic Church. She was very social, enjoyed music and dancing, and was an active member The Pottsville Club for many years. She enjoyed traveling; her destinations included Hawaii, San Francisco, England, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Michigan, and Canada.
In addition to her parent she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Henry Robitaille, husband, Franklin Hill, sister, Marie Berner, and brothers, Albert and Robert Meiswinkle.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Sharon Robitaille Connell, wife of George R., Frederick, MD; her son Deacon Glenn Robitaille, husband of Julie, Dunellen, NJ.; seven grandchildren, Shannon, George Harold, Timothy and Eileen Connell and Gabriel, Daniel and Michael Robitaille; and nieces and nephews.
A private funeral service will be held from Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 W. St., Pottsville. Interment will be held in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Pottsville. Please visit SchlitzerAllenPugh.com to leave a condolence for the family.
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Mario M. Cherry, 99, of Pottsville passed away on Friday morning in Pottsville.
Born on April 30, 1921 in Darkwater, New Castle Township, Mario was a son of the late Carmen (Spina) and Ralph Cherry.
He attended St. Clair School and is a graduate of Motor Maintenance School, Fort Benning, GA, where he attended while in the service.
Mario was a member of St. Patrick’s Church.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He was a Sgt T/4 in World War II with the 104-inf Divison (Timberwolf) from Dec. 1, 1942-Dec. 1, 1945. He was awarded the following medals: Victory Good Conduct, Combat Inf, Sharp Shooter, African Eastern Compaign, Distinguished Unit Citation, Bronze Star with 1 star, and Occupation Medal. He also drove trucks on the Red Ball Route hauling supplies to the front lines.
Mario was a lifetime member of VFW Post #129, Pottsville.
He worked at Repplier Coal Co., Alcoa, Detroit Mobil Homes, and retired as a foreman in shipping and receiving at Jones & Hunt Inc.
In addition to his parents, Mario was preceded in death by his wife, Irene (Matsko) Cherry in 1991, a daughter, Denise in 1956, a son, Anthony D. (Tony) Cherry in 1966, and also brothers: Anthony A. Cherry, who was killed in action in World War II; Salvador, Alphonsus and Ralph Cherry Jr. He was the last surviving member of his family.
Mario is survived by several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be announced at a later date.
Interment in Calvary Cemetery will be private at the convenience of the family.
The family request contributions in Mario's memory be sent to: Nativity BVM High School Band, Lawton Hill, Pottsville, PA 17901, in memory of Anthony D. Cherry, class of 1965, as requested by father, Mario Cherry and St. Patrick R.C.C., Memorial Fund, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home | Pottsville, PA
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Clayton S. Schnoke, 92, of Pine Grove, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2020 in the Tremont Health & Rehab. Center.
Born on April 28, 1928 in Pine Grove, he was a son of the late Harry and Sallie Heiser Schnoke.
Clayton was a WWII veteran and Gunners Mate in the U.S. Navy, where he served for 21 years. He was a Supervisor at Newport Homes, Pine Grove.
He was a member of Pine Grove VFW, and the Hickory Mountain Hunting Club. He loved to hunt and fish.
Preceding him in death was his wife, Twila Hammershy Schnoke in 2018.
Surviving are a daughter, Terry and husband Lynn Spittler of Pine Grove; grandson, Jamey Spittler; great granddaughter, Saige Spittler; and four brothers, Leroy, Charles, Harry and Harold Schnoke, all of Pine Grove.
Graveside Services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, with Pastor Barry Spatz officiating.
The family would prefer, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Assoc. Inc. 2595 Interstate Dr. Suite 100 Harrisburg, PA 17110, in his memory.
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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Rose M. Smith, 84, Pottsville, formerly of Girardville passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 1st, at The Gardens of York Terrace, Pottsville.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday from St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Fountain Springs with Rev. Brian Miller officiating.
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John was born in Pottsville on January 12, 1926, a son of the late Wadia Joseph and Bashara Thomas.
He was the husband of Helen M. (Yurenko) Thomas.
He was a practicing Catholic and served in the military, 10th Mountain Division and served in Italy as an Army Medic. He was also awarded the Bronze Star.
He worked as a carpenter during his lifetime.
John is survived by seven children, 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one daughter.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Orwigsburg, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Elizabeth L. "Betty" Haverty, age 98, of Schuylkill Haven, PA passed away Saturday, October 31st, 2020 at Schuylkill Center in Pottsville.
Born in Saint Clair, PA on October 17, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Luther and Phoebe (Clocker) Johns.
Betty was a graduate of Saint Clair High School. She did volunteer work in Fort Lauderdale, FL at the Broward County Hospital.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Robert W. Haverty on December 27, 1991, her daughter Judith D. "Judy" Demyan, two sisters: Thelma Gerber and Marion Demko, and a brother Luther Johns Jr.
Betty is survived by two granddaughters: Sharon M. Demyan and her partner Sarah, Allentown; and Susan E. Stratton and her husband Eric, South Hadley, MA; two great-grandchildren: Stephen T. and Alexis J. Stratton, South Hadley, MA; three sisters: Jacqueline Berdanier, Port Carbon; Geraldine Salata, Saint Clair; and Lilian Fliegel, Tucson, AR.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in St. Clair at 11AM on Wednesday, November 4th, with Msgr. William Glosser officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing on Wednesday 9-10:30AM at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home in Port Carbon.
Interment will be held in the Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery in Pottsville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas PL, Memphis, TN 38105.
Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com
Charitable donations may be made in Elizabeth's memory to the following organization:St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
http://www.stjude.org
501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Tel: 901 495 3300
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Angel was born January 9, 1951 in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, a son of the late Jose and Mariano Torres Onits.
While living in Puerto Rico, Angel was employed as a heavy equipment operator.
He is survived by his four children, Ricardo Oritz-Rivera (Maria), Tower City; Issac Ortiz-Rivera (Evelyn) Lebanon; Edna Ortiz-Rivera (Berto) and Davis Ortiz-Rivera (Jacqueline) both of Puerto Rico. Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
All services for Angel will held at the Funeraria Rossy Memorial, Jayuya, Puerto Rico. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with all local and transportation arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
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He was born on Wednesday, March 15, 1939, in Valley View, a son of the late Roy Morgan and the late Lilly Shaffer Morgan.
He was a graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School.
Richard served in the US Army during the Korean War.
He retired as a machinist for the former TRW, Harrisburg.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley View.
He was also a member of VFW Post 8237 and American Legion Post 575 both of Valley View, and a member and former president of the Tri-Valley Lions Club.
Richard was also a Red Coat Volunteer for years at the former Pottsville Hospital.
He enjoyed golfing, bowling, gardening, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Morgan. He was also preceded in death by his parents; by two brothers, Clayton Morgan and Ernest Morgan; and by two sisters Marian Matter and Beulah Hoy.
He is survived by two daughters, Tracy Forrest and her husband Cliff of Pittsburgh, and Stacy Jenkins and her husband Steve of Templeton; two step daughters, Cathy Leitzel and her husband Robert of Hegins, and Beth Harman and her husband Jeff of Hegins; a step son, Donald Morgan; two granddaughters, Abby Jenkins and Kirsten Forrest both of Pittsburgh; a grandson, Cliff Forrest, Jr of Pittsburgh; two brothers, Chester Morgan of Hegins and Ronald Morgan of Millersburg; a sister, Alice Erdman of Raleigh, NC; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, on Thursday, November 5, 2020, at 2:00 pm, with Rev. Annette Shutt officiating.
A viewing will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.
Burial with Military Honors will be made in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Valley View.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Tri-Valley Lions Club, 535 E Main St, Hegins PA 17938.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.
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Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory INC.