Skook News Obituaries: December 14th, 2020
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in St. Clair, she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Anna (Sweet) Homa. She worked as a sewing machine operator at the Charles Rabin Factory, Frackville until her retirement.
Dolores graduated from St. Clair High School, was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville and had a great love of music.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael “Pinky” Wapinsky in 1998; her two brothers: George and Ron Homa.
She is survived by her son Robert “Wap” Wapinsky and his wife Elaine of Frackville; her sister, Rita Adamcik, Kulpmont; her two grand-daughters: Jess and her husband Alex Sule, and Beth Wapinsky; her great-grandchildren who she adored: Carter, Jacob, Mason, Madelyn, Jonas and Noah; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Ann’s Church, Frackville on Friday, December 18th at 11 a.m. with Rev. Brian Miller, pastor, as the celebrant. Friends are invited to her visitation at the church on Friday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. Interment will be private at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
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She was born August 25, 1922, in Forestville, PA, a daughter of the late James and Bridget Simmendinger Chernosky.
She was preceded in death by her sweetheart, her husband of 67 years, William Motko, in 2009; an infant son, William; two sisters, Elizabeth Antonelli and Margaret Mabry, and two brothers James Chernosky and William Chernosky. She was the last surviving sibling.
She is survived by her two devoted daughters and caregivers, Ruth Ann Motko Kirwan, and her husband Robert J. Kirwan, Mar Lin; Geraldine Motko Schreiber and her husband, John "Jack" Schreiber, Bethlehem; her loving sister-in-law and longtime neighbor, Anna Motko, Mar Lin; her cherished grandchildren, Lisa Kirwan Renninger, wife of Ken Renninger, Pottsville, Atty. Robert J. Kirwan II , and his wife Tamara, of Fleetwood, Marie A. Kirwan Herne, and her longtime companion, Robert S. McConnell, of Orwigsburg, William J. Kirwan, Mar Lin, Melissa A. Kirwan, Bristol, TN, Jacqueline Schreiber and her companion, Sterling Zielinski, Los Angeles, CA, and Yvette Schreiber and her fiance, Bill Cays, of Easton.
She is also survived by many great grandchildren: Corey Renninger, husband of Jolene, St. Clair, Victoria E. Herne, Reading, Briana Schreiber, Clifton Township, Rachel Bridget Renninger Gaumer, wife of Corey Gaumer, Pottsville, Marisa Kirwan, Philadelphia, Marcus Renninger, Pottsville, Jacqueline Kirwan, Wyomissing, and Mia and Elise Kirwan, both of Fleetwood; and two great-great grandchildren Payton and Cole Renninger, both of St. Clair.
She was blessed to have witnessed five generations with the birth of her great-great-great granddaughter Aria Renninger, in 2017.
She was a devout Catholic and loved the Blessed Mother. She attended St. Vincent De Paul school and was a life-long member of the former St. Vincent De Paul Church, St. Michael the Archangel Church and Holy Family Parish, Minersville.
In her younger days, she worked as a waitress at the Federal Restaurant in Pottsville during World War II, then later worked in local garment factories. Later in life, she was the cook for many years for the late Rev. John Joseph McNamara at the former St. Stephen's Rectory in Port Carbon.
Connie cherished her family and friends and loved spending time with them. There was always time for a cup of tea, a bite to eat, and lively conversation and hospitality at her kitchen table with the many visitors throughout the years to the cozy, beautifully decorated house in Mar Lin that her devoted husband Bill, built with his own two hands for his lovely "Wild Irish Rose."
So many people loved Connie. She was an outgoing, fun loving lady who loved the simple things in life: her morning tea parties with her little three-year-old great-great-great granddaughter, Aria; her amazing ceramic collection that her daughter, Geri, created for her; long rides in the car; chatting on the phone with friends and family; her favorite Red Rose tea and jelly bread; reading her hefty pack of prayer and Mass cards every day; and going to bingo games, where she made many dear friends over the years.
The best place in the world to her was always "home" but she enjoyed traveling and took many trips throughout her life: Rome, Italy, Ireland, Hawaii, Niagara Falls, Caribbean cruises, Nashville, TN, and Branson, Missouri, Florida, and many fun bus trips to the casino.
In her later years, she liked nothing more than to spend a summer evening sitting on her porch, eating ice cream and chatting with her sister-in-law, Anna Motko, and her niece, Gloria George.
She and her granddaughter and devoted caretaker, Marie Herne, spent many nights together watching the old time classic Hollywood films on TCM; and her favorite choice was always any movie with John Wayne.
She enjoyed the daily visits from her grandson, William Kirwan, who faithfully tended to her house and kept her old coal furnace alive these many years and always brought her pies and sticky buns and made her laugh with his funny stories and jokes.
The family will accept visitors at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Friday from 6:00 P.M. and on Saturday from 6:00 A.M. Visitation will end promptly at 9:15 A.M. when procession will form. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. in St. Michael the Archangel Church, 539 Sunbury Street, Minersville. Visitors and attendees are expected to follow CDC guidelines. Interment will be in St. Vincent de Paul #2 Cemetery, Branch Township. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations in her memory to the Holy Family Parish Memorial Fund.
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Thomas G. George, 93, of Seltzer, passed away on Saturday, December 12, at Schuylkill Center.
Born on October 17, 1927 in Minersville, he was a son of the late Gilbert and Margaret Walker George. He was a 1945 graduate of Minersville high school and a 1951 graduate of the Ford Business School, Pottsville. He retired from the Pennsylvania State Police, where he worked in the computer center.
Tom was a Navy veteran of World War II.
He was a member of the Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville. Tom was very active in volunteering. He was involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program for ten years and had a nursing home ministry for twenty nine years in all Pottsville area nursing homes.
Preceding him in death was a sister Betty Slifko and her husband John.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, the former Marie Hiester; his three sons who really made him proud: Thomas and his wife Marisa, Mechanicsburg, David and his wife Carla, Austin, Texas, and Kenneth and his wife Denise, Allentown; six grandchildren that made him happy: Parker, Michael, Andrew, Samuel, Katie, and Tucker. He is also survived by his brother, Robert and his wife Janet, Bethesda, Md.
Current services will be at the convenience of the family from Dutcavich Funeral Home. Memorial Services will be held in the Spring of 2021. Interment with military honors will be in Mount Peace Cemetery, Branch Township. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Schuylkill County, 111 E Norwegian St #200, Pottsville, PA 17901.
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Margaret is survived by two daughters, Cheryl Dixon of Pottsville, Pa., and Sarah (Sally) and her husband Michael Wargo of Lehighton, Pa., and one son, Walter and his wife Sally Coleman of Tuscarora, Pa. She was predeceased by son in law Edward Dixon and one grandson, Michael C. Wargo, and is survived by four grandchildren, Kerry Wargo, Edward Dixon, Jamie Dixon, and Ronald Coleman, as well as five great-grandchildren.
Margie devoted her life to Trinity Church and her family. She was accepting of everyone. She was hard-working and faithful. What an example of Jesus she was! The last of her siblings in this life, she long desired to be reunited with her family and her Lord. She is home.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
A Graveside Committal Service will be held on Friday December 18, 2020 at 10:45 A.M. from Sky View Memorial Park Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, Rev. Darryl Kensinger to officiate.
Memorials in her name to Trinity U.C.C. 22 Lafayette Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252, or Ascend Hospice 108 Cowpath Road Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446
online registry and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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She was born on Thursday, December 7, 1933, in Pitman, a daughter of the late Stuart P Knerr and the late Irene M (Harring) Knerr.
She was a 1951 graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School.
Lorriane was a member of Hepler's Church of God, Pitman; where she was a member of the Ladies Bible Class.
She was also a member of Woodmen of the World Lodge 443 Pitman and the Mahantongo Fire Company.
Lorraine enjoyed cooking, entertaining, playing cards, and spending time with her family and friends.
Her husband, Peter J Hepler, passed away in 2018. She was also preceded in death by her parents; by a brother, Ronald Knerr, and a sister, Joyce Buffington.
She is survived by a daughter, Amy S Romberger and her husband Andrew of Millersburg; two sons, Jeffrey L Hepler and his wife Ann of Sacramento, and Jace S Hepler and his wife Shawna of West Grove; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Due to current health concerns, private services will be held at Hepler's Church of God, Pitman.
Burial will be made in Hepler's Cemetery, Pitman.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Mahantongo Fire Company, 102 Main Road, P.O. Box 99, Pitman PA 17964.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.
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Dr. Ronald D. Kimber, 75 of Pottsville, died Sunday at Tremont Health and Rehabilitation, Tremont.
He was born August 13, 1945 in Shreveport, LA a son of the late Raymond and Ruth Littman Kimber.
He was a graduate of Elmira Free Academy, Elmira NY, St. Lawrence University and Pennsylvania College of Optometry.
He was a veteran of the Vietnam War has served in the Army.
Prior to retiring he was an Optometrist having had offices in Pottsville and Pine Grove.
Ron was an avid golfer throughout his life.
He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy R. Kimber, Apr 9, 1999; and a brother Richard Kimber;
Surviving are his wife Judith Reid Kimber; a son William Kimber and his wife Kim, St. Clair; a daughter, Annie Grabowski and her husband Mike, Pottsville; Lynn Kimber, Glen Rock, and Eunice Kimber, Pottsville; 7 grandchildren, Sadie, Timmy, Josh and Emily Kimber, Ethan, Ryan, Ella Grabowski; nieces and nephews.
Services and interment will be at the convenience of the family at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. The family would prefer no flowers and to have donations made in memory of Ron to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of James B. Humphrey, Funeral Director, James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.
Please share your memories and condolences with Ron's family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com
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