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Born on July 22, 1957 in Pottsville, he was a son of Edith Loeb Breidigan of Pine Grove and the late Paul Breidigan.
He was a member of Hetzel's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove.
Allen was a Self-employed Mechanic.
He enjoyed fixing old cars, fishing and most of all loved spending time with his family.
Preceding him in death was a sister Bonnie Breidigan.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his sisters and brothers, Mary and husband Kenneth Rauch, Paul Jr. and wife Anna Breidigan, June and husband Dennis Zulick, Kenneth Sr. and wife Kathy Breidigan, Penny and husband Russell King and Joy Doyle and her significant other, Michael; nieces and nephews.
There will be a viewing on Monday, December 7, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove. Graveside Services and interment will be held on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 11:30 A.M. at Hetzel's Cemetery with John Reis officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA,18 Wertz Dr. Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 in his memory.
You may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
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Born on June 5, 1940 in Lyon Station, he was a son of the late Leroy and Esther Rohrbach Hassler.
He graduated from Kutztown College with a degree in Art and then from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia with a Master's of Divinity Degree.
He was called to Alsace Lutheran Church of Reading, as their Assistant Pastor in 1965 and that same year married Peggy Angstadt, also of Lyon Station. In 1970, he was called to be the pastor of Altalaha Lutheran Church in Rehrersburg and Salem Lutheran Church in Bethel. In 1979, he was called to be the pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Pine Grove and St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Ravine. He retired in 1997 to their cottage on Sweet Arrow Lake in Pine Grove.
Larry was also very artistic.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Peggy Angstadt Hassler; his son John Hassler and his wife Tracey Spittler-Hassler of Jim Thorpe; two grandchildren, Ilse (Ishkabibbl) and Ehren (Schnickelfritz) Hassler; his sister Christine Lesher and husband Gene of Hamburg; a niece Crystal Lesher, a nephew Chris Lesher; and many beloved bunnies.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family with Rev. David Kistler officiating. Interment will be in Hope Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Bowers.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to Christ Lutheran Church, 189 Church Rd., Jim Thorpe, Pa. 18229 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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George C. Ankenbrandt, Jr., 71, of Moyers Station Rd., Schuylkill Haven, passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at home.Born on November 20, 1949 in Pottsville, he was a son of the late George C. Sr. and Verna Kerschner Ankenbrandt.
He was a graduate of Pine Grove High School and a Business School.
George served 25 1/2 years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and 14 plus years in the United States Army Reserves. He retired in 2009 in the military grade of CW3.
He was employed by the Adjutant General of PA as an incentive manager for the PA Army National Guard until retiring in 1995. He was employed a local hardware store for 19 years until 2015.
He was a life member of the North End Fire Co., Summit Station Fire Co., Rock Fish and Game and Military Officers Assoc. of America; a member of the Pine Grove American Legion, Jonestown American Legion Home Assoc., and the US Army Warrant Officer Assoc.
Preceding him in death was his companion Jeanna Schreiber.
Surviving are two sisters, Lorraine Ankenbrandt of St. Leonard, MD and Louisa Lehman of Schuylkill Haven; nieces and nephews.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family with Pastor Barry Spatz officiating. Interment will be in St. Mark's (Brown's) Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either the Disabled American Veterans, or the Wounded Warriors Inc. Pennsylvania 1117 Country Club Road Camp Hill, Pa 17011.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc. Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlnsyderfuneralhome.com
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Born in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Leroy and Catherine Becker Schwalm. He worked as a carpenter and a general handyman.
Big Ern loved hunting and fishing. He was known to many as one of the best fisherman in the area and was a member of the South End Field and Stream at the Whippoorwill Dam, Frackville. He enjoyed playing softball and participating in homerun derbies at the Frackville Little League. He will be missed for his big heart of gold and his kindness toward anyone he came in contact with. He was quick to help anyone in need and always there to lend a helping hand.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Edward “Skippy” Schwalm and his sister Eleanor Harner.
He is survived by his two sons: Ernie and his wife Regina Schwalm, Frackville; Eric and his wife Siobhan Schwalm, Catawissa; his three daughters: Lisa Herndon, Pottsville; Brenda Miller, Mount Carmel; Patricia and her husband James Withelder, Pottsville; his brother, Leroy Schwalm, Virginia; his sister, AnnaMae Kroh, Frackville; his former wife, Helen Whery, Frackville; his 9 grandchildren whom he adored: Moxley Schwalm, Montana and Hunter Herndon, Zachary Schwalm, Joshua and Jessica Withelder, Ashley Dougherty, Amanda and Missy Miller; his great-grandson, Damien Meade; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 5th from the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville with Rev. Carl Shankweiler officiating. Family and friends are invited to his viewing from 8:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be held at Sky View Memorial Park, Hometown. Guests are asked to follow CDC guidelines.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for full obituary information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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John began his extensive academic résumé at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., graduating magna cum laude with a dual degree in Russian Studies and Political Science in 1972. He continued to Villanova University in Villanova, Pa., graduating from The Charles Widger School of Law with his Juris Doctorate in 1975. Upon passing the bar exam, he began practicing law in Frackville partnering with Attorney Jack Thomas to form the Thomas and Fields Law Office.
Years later John entered St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Washington, D.C. to begin his pursuit of religious studies. During this time, he entered The Catholic University of America in Washington, at the School of Theology and Religious Studies obtaining his master’s degree of Sacred Theology from the university in 1986. During that year, he also completed coursework from Catholic University’s School of Canon Law, receiving his Doctorate of Canon Law.
On April 4, 1985, John was ordained to the diaconate at the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Philadelphia by Metropolitan Archbishop Stephen Sulyk. A year later, on May 11, 1986, Deacon John was ordained to the Holy Priesthood also in Philadelphia. On May 17, 1998, Archbishop Sulyk conferred upon Fr. John the honor and title of Protopresbyter, or Archpriest, for his dedicated work in the priesthood.
His pastoral and administrative work within the Archeparchy of Philadelphia was numerous and varied. Fr. John began his parish assignment as an assistant in 1988 at The Presentation of Our Lord parish in Lansdale, Pa. Later that year, he was named the administrator of the parish and at the neighboring St. Anne’s parish in Warrington, Pa. During his time, from 1988 through 2004, he oversaw the construction and rededication of two new churches and took pride in helping design both to emulate the traditional wooden church structures found in Ukraine. In 2003, Fr. John was named Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Frackville, Pa., his home parish, and also the neighboring St. John the Baptist Church in Maizeville, Pa. until 2014. Finally, from 2013 until his passing, he was the Director of Communications with the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.
Father John served in various and numerous ministries within the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy. Over the years, he was assistant editor, and later editor of “The Way,” the official newspaper of the Ukrainian Archeparchy, member of the Archeparchial Insurance Department, Assistant Finance Officer, member of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference of Bishops, Spiritual Director of the Holy Name Society in the South Anthracite Council, member of the Presbyteral Council, President of the Priests’ Beneficial Fund, member of the Archeparchial Corporate Board, Protopresbyter of the South Anthracite Protopresbyterate, Director of Ascension Manor Nursing Facility in Philadephia, Pa., and Vice-Chancellor of the Archeparchy.
Father John’s civil involvement and achievements were likewise numerous and varied. He was a member and past Grand-Knight of the Frackville Knights of Columbus, a member of Frackville Rotary, member of Frackville Centennial Committee, previous member of the North Schuylkill School Board, during which he was instrumental in building the Jr. and Sr. High School in Fountain Springs, Pa. He was also an active member of the Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, former partner of Thomas and Fields Law Office in Frackville, Pa., instructor of religious studies at Cardinal Brennan Jr./Sr. High School in Fountain Springs, Pa., and participant in the recent Moderna Covid-19 Vaccine Trial being conducted by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa..
Father John was active in numerous other projects to benefit both the Borough of Frackville and Schuylkill County. Father John sought also to enjoy life – he thoroughly enjoyed all things Disney, was avid political spectator, possessed a particular love of firework displays, and sharing his love and knowledge with his family, community, and peers. His loss is tremendous to all who knew him.
In his communique to the Archeparchy on Friday, His Grace, MetropolitanArchbishop Borys Gudziak regretfully informed the bishops, clergy, religious and faithful that Fr. John passed away peacefully in his home. Metropolitan-Archbishop Borys called him “an ardent American and a proud carrier of the legacy of his Pennsylvania coal-mining homeland.” Father John remained “hopeful” about the future: the future of the Church, of the United States and of his ability to help make a better future for us all.
Funeral services are as follows: On Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 at 11:00am, the clergy of the South Anthracite Deanery and the priests of the Archeparchy will celebrate a Panakhyda at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Frackville, Pa. Father John will lie in repose at St. Michael's Church until 7:00pm for those wishing to pay their respects. At 7:00pm, a priestly Parastas will be celebrated by the bishops and clergy of the Archeparchy.
On Friday December 4, 2020, viewing will begin at 7:00am and the Divine Liturgy Funeral beginning at 10:00am. The main celebrant will be His Grace, Most Rev. Borys Gudziak. Following the Funeral Liturgy, interment will take place at the parish cemetery.
Father John's family request in lieu of flowers or other offerings that donations be made in his name to the St. Josaphat Seminary Endowment Fund, c/o Archbishop's Chancery, 810 North Franklin Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19123, as he was dedicated to the academics and study of those wishing to enter the priesthood.
Special Note: The viewing and all services are open to the public. All CDC Covid-19 regulations regarding masks and social distancing will be strictly enforced. Upon entering the church building, everyone is required to wear a face mask. All services will be Live-streamed on St. Michael’s parish Facebook page.
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Born Tuesday, January 4, 1966 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Joseph Lencovich of Weatherly, and Anna Marie (Screenock) Lencovich of Lehighton. Andrea is also survived by; brother, Joseph P. Lencovich and his wife Valerie of Weatherly; sisters, Annette Boyle wife of Anthony of Andreas, Catherine Taurino and her husband Raymond of Weatherly, Lieutenant Colonel, Carla Weise and her husband Matthew of North Dakota, Tresa Parsley of Lehighton; many nieces and nephews also survive her; and Joseph's companion Janet Davis.
A 1983 graduate of Marian Catholic High School, Andrea matriculated to Marywood College. She was the branch manager of First Northern Bank & Trust of Blakeslee for many years. A member of St. Peter The Fisherman R.C.C. of Lake Harmony, Andrea had been the former Treasurer of the Clymer Library in Pocono Pines. Passionate, and engaged, Andreas loved her family, reading and listening to music. Much happiness was derived from the companionship of her Golden Retriever, Harleigh.
Private funeral arrangements entrusted to the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home & Cremation Services of 211 First street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255. (570) 427-4231
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