Skook News Obituaries: November 8th, 2020
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Born in Pattersonville on March 24, 1928, she was a daughter of the late John and Grace (Sherman) Kase.
She was educated in the Ringtown Area Schools.
Alice was a member of Saint Michael’s Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Shenandoah.
She loved gardening and playing the lotto daily. But above all, her family was of most importance to her; she had a special place in her heart for her grandson, Shawn Parker.
Alice was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband, William Horan, Sr., her son, William Horan, Jr. and two brothers and three sisters.
Surviving are her daughter, Marianne Parker of Shenandoah; affectionately known as “Nana Alice” to her grandchildren, Shawn Parker, Brandon Parker and Somer Parker and great-grandson, Jeffery Davidson; additional great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Religious services will be held on Friday, November 13, 2020 at 10:00 at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah with Monsignor Myron Grabowsky officiating. Interment will follow in Saint Michael’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A visitation will be held on Friday morning from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at the funeral home.
Alice’s family would like to thank the Shenandoah Senior Living Community for the care and comfort they provided their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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Ripper is survived by his beloved daughters, Christina Jones Kalyan (Michael Mathias) and Tanya Jones Georgelis married to Anthony Georgelis all of Lancaster; his first wife and mother of his daughters, Agnes Jones of Lancaster; grandchildren, Cody Kalyan (Faith), Cassidy Gardill (Brenden), Elizabeth Georgelis, Antonia Georgelis and AJ Georgelis all of Lancaster; brother-in-law, Richard Examitas; sisters-in-law, Cherylann Reese (Jay), Irene Leister (Fred); nephews, Christopher Jones (Tara), Rick Examitas (Kelly); niece, Holly Seickel (Ryan); uncle, Ed Fatula; his adored dog, “Snickers”; as well as additional nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Fatula Jones, and siblings, William Jones, Mary “Mazy” Jones, Robert “Patches” Jones, Ann Jones, Ernestine “Jo” Jones and James Jones.
Ripper was born July 28, 1944, in Lost Creek, to the late Raymond J. Jones and Ernestine (Dolan) Jones. He was graduate of former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah and attended St. Mary Magdalen grade school, Lost Creek.
Ripper was a decorated United States Army Veteran, proudly serving his country in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Over the ensuing decades, he traveled the country working for Zapata Industries for over 35 years. Not one for retirement, he joined the Schuylkill County Sheriff’s Office, where he served his community as a deputy sheriff until 2019. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Knights of Columbus, Sons of Italy, West End Fire Company and American Legion, as well as a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.
Ripper was an avid fisherman who loved spending time outdoors. He was always humming a tune or listening to the sounds of Marty Robbins, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. He was particularly fond of Elvis’ rendition of “My Way,” which epitomized the way in which he lived his life. Along with being a Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan, Ripper loved to cook. He always had a pot of chicken soup ready to warm the souls of his girls and grandchildren.
Loved by all, everyone who had the privilege of knowing Ripper has their favorite memories of him. He will always be remembered for his entertaining stories, strong work ethic and trademark wit. Above all, though, Ripper was a true and generous friend who, day or night, never hesitated to drop everything when someone needed his help. His kindness and generosity were steady and persevering constants, in an otherwise uncertain world, and they knew no limit. He was larger than life and never spoke a negative word. His generous smile brought pure happiness to so many lives.
Of all his accomplishments on this earth, however, nothing brought him more joy and pride than his roles as “Daddy,” “Pop Pop” and “Uncle Ripper.” His family was the unequivocal light of his life. He will always be loved and cherished, and never forgotten, by those he left behind. He will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm and on Thursday morning, November 12, 2020 from 9:00 am until 10:45 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Immediately following the visitation on Thursday morning, religious services will be held at 10:45 am at the funeral home with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor officiating. All state and federal COVID-19 guidelines and regulations will be observed; masks and social distancing will be required. Due to restrictions on the number of attendees imposed by the National Cemetery, private interment with military honors will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. A Celebration of Life honoring Ripper will be held at a later date for family, friends and coworkers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ripper’s name can be made to Wreaths Across America, Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at https://wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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Vincent Paul Lewis, Lieutenant Colonel USAF (Ret), 101 years old, and a 58 year resident of Hershey, died November 6, 2020 at Masonic Village. Vincent was born November 29, 1918 in Minersville, Schuylkill County, PA to Benjamin C. Lewis, a coal miner and Margaret L. (Brown) Lewis at their family home on Schaeffers Hill. Vince, 2nd generation Irish, attended St Vincent’s Primary School in Minersville and graduated from St Patrick’s Catholic High School (now Nativity BVM), in Pottsville in May 1937. After school Vince worked as a truck driver in the coal mines and on the PA turnpike tunnels before enlisting in the Army in October 1940 before World War II was declared.
Vincent was a career US Air Force officer and pilot as he initially joined to become a fighter pilot. After getting his Army Air Corps Aviator’s wings in 1943, he was assigned instead to heavy bombers and became qualified on the Consolidated B24 Liberator multi-engine bomber. He earned Command Pilot’s wings in the 485th Bomber (HVY) Group, 15th Air Force in WWII as he participated from Tunisia, North Africa in the invasion of Italy in March 1944 and the D-Day Normandy invasion in June 1944. Flying out of Verona, Italy airbase on July 20, 1944, on his 33rd combat air mission over enemy lines, his ‘Briny Marlyn’ B24 (air formation name ’Blue Echo’) was shot down by ME-109’s over Conegliano, northern Italy. He was injured, but kept flying the severely damaged B24 and he was the last of his 10-man crew to bail out. For these actions, he received the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross medals. For the next 5 months, he led his crew and other Allied military personnel, escaping through enemy positions out of Italy and Yugoslavia. Finally they were rescued by a night-flight back to safety at Barrie, Italy airbase.
Vince or ‘VP’ returned to Denver, CO, USA before VE Day in 1945 where he married 2nd Lieutenant Miriam ‘Lee’ Savage, a US Army Nurse from Fayetteville, Brown Co, OH. After a 25 year US Air Force career as a highly decorated pilot and veteran with tours in AL, AR, CO, KS, AK, TN, WI, VA and an overseas tour in Tokyo, Japan. He, Lee and 9 children eventually retired at Olmstead AFB Middletown, PA on May 1, 1965 — the same base where he enlisted years earlier. Vince completed a second career at New Cumberland Depot in 1981 as Chief of the Catalog Data Activity, which kept track digitally of all DoD replacement parts. His knowledge of computers resulted in his self-taught Basic programming skills even filing his tax returns directly to the IRS in the 1980’s before today’s e-File. After Lee’s death, he began retirement that included his 2nd marriage in 1983 to Janice Slagle, a Nurse Mgr at Hershey Medical Center. They enjoyed travel across the country, children’s marriages, 23 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; and, a new hobby with pleasure boats on Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. Support to Catholic education also was central to his belief of a better future.
Surviving Vincent are his wife Janice of 37 years; his sons: Vincent (Susan) of San Rafael, CA, WO2(Ret) Dennis of San Angelo, TX, LTC(Ret) Stephan (Jan) of Gettysburg, PA, Martin (Nancy) of Gloucster, OH and Timothy (Kathleen) of Middletown, PA; his daughters: M. Kathy (LTC(Ret) James) Filson of Boca Raton, FL, Jean (James) Walmer of Three Springs, PA, Patricia Ellermann of Lakeland, FL, Sharon (Elvin) Shilling of Fredericksburg, PA; step-daughter Kimberly Holmes of Elizabethtown, PA. Also married are 16 of his 23 grandchildren who have 20 of his great-grandchildren living around the country.
Preceding Vincent in death are his first wife, Lee; his parents; younger sister Catharine Mary; grandson, Matthew; maternal grandparents from Ireland with whom he was close as a young boy; daughter-in-law Lynn; son-in-law Bradford; 7 paternal aunts/uncles and 6 maternal aunts/uncles.
There will be a visitation at the Hoover Funeral and Crematory, 88 Lucy Ave. in Hershey on Friday, November 13 from 10-11AM. Mass and Christian burial will follow at 11:30AM in St Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 359 W. Areba Avenue, Hershey (where Vincent and family attended for 58 years). Burial with full military honors will follow at Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
The family requests no flowers, but rather donations to the American Cancer Society or the charity of choice.
Send condolences via the online guestbook at www.hooverfuneralhome.com
Vincent was a career US Air Force officer and pilot as he initially joined to become a fighter pilot. After getting his Army Air Corps Aviator’s wings in 1943, he was assigned instead to heavy bombers and became qualified on the Consolidated B24 Liberator multi-engine bomber. He earned Command Pilot’s wings in the 485th Bomber (HVY) Group, 15th Air Force in WWII as he participated from Tunisia, North Africa in the invasion of Italy in March 1944 and the D-Day Normandy invasion in June 1944. Flying out of Verona, Italy airbase on July 20, 1944, on his 33rd combat air mission over enemy lines, his ‘Briny Marlyn’ B24 (air formation name ’Blue Echo’) was shot down by ME-109’s over Conegliano, northern Italy. He was injured, but kept flying the severely damaged B24 and he was the last of his 10-man crew to bail out. For these actions, he received the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross medals. For the next 5 months, he led his crew and other Allied military personnel, escaping through enemy positions out of Italy and Yugoslavia. Finally they were rescued by a night-flight back to safety at Barrie, Italy airbase.
Vince or ‘VP’ returned to Denver, CO, USA before VE Day in 1945 where he married 2nd Lieutenant Miriam ‘Lee’ Savage, a US Army Nurse from Fayetteville, Brown Co, OH. After a 25 year US Air Force career as a highly decorated pilot and veteran with tours in AL, AR, CO, KS, AK, TN, WI, VA and an overseas tour in Tokyo, Japan. He, Lee and 9 children eventually retired at Olmstead AFB Middletown, PA on May 1, 1965 — the same base where he enlisted years earlier. Vince completed a second career at New Cumberland Depot in 1981 as Chief of the Catalog Data Activity, which kept track digitally of all DoD replacement parts. His knowledge of computers resulted in his self-taught Basic programming skills even filing his tax returns directly to the IRS in the 1980’s before today’s e-File. After Lee’s death, he began retirement that included his 2nd marriage in 1983 to Janice Slagle, a Nurse Mgr at Hershey Medical Center. They enjoyed travel across the country, children’s marriages, 23 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; and, a new hobby with pleasure boats on Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. Support to Catholic education also was central to his belief of a better future.
Surviving Vincent are his wife Janice of 37 years; his sons: Vincent (Susan) of San Rafael, CA, WO2(Ret) Dennis of San Angelo, TX, LTC(Ret) Stephan (Jan) of Gettysburg, PA, Martin (Nancy) of Gloucster, OH and Timothy (Kathleen) of Middletown, PA; his daughters: M. Kathy (LTC(Ret) James) Filson of Boca Raton, FL, Jean (James) Walmer of Three Springs, PA, Patricia Ellermann of Lakeland, FL, Sharon (Elvin) Shilling of Fredericksburg, PA; step-daughter Kimberly Holmes of Elizabethtown, PA. Also married are 16 of his 23 grandchildren who have 20 of his great-grandchildren living around the country.
Preceding Vincent in death are his first wife, Lee; his parents; younger sister Catharine Mary; grandson, Matthew; maternal grandparents from Ireland with whom he was close as a young boy; daughter-in-law Lynn; son-in-law Bradford; 7 paternal aunts/uncles and 6 maternal aunts/uncles.
There will be a visitation at the Hoover Funeral and Crematory, 88 Lucy Ave. in Hershey on Friday, November 13 from 10-11AM. Mass and Christian burial will follow at 11:30AM in St Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 359 W. Areba Avenue, Hershey (where Vincent and family attended for 58 years). Burial with full military honors will follow at Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
The family requests no flowers, but rather donations to the American Cancer Society or the charity of choice.
Send condolences via the online guestbook at www.hooverfuneralhome.com
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