Skook News Obituaries: December 24th, 2020
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Centralia on June 15, 1931, he was the son of the late Roman and Catherine Kenenitz.
He attended Centralia schools.
Peter was married on April 14, 1959 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Centralia to Barbara A. (Fadule) Kenenitz who preceded him in death on March 24, 2004.
Peter was a hard worker having worked in the coal mining industry as a heavy equipment operator.
He was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Centralia, the Centralia Fire Company and the Centralia American Legion Post #608.
Peter loved to do gardening. But above all, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Surviving are one son Peter Kenenitz, Jr. and his wife Carol of Ashland; three grandchildren, Matthew Kenenitz of the Ukraine, Gregory Kenenitz and his wife Brittney Pardue-Kenenitz of North Carolina, and Phillip Kenenitz of Ashland; three great grandchildren, Lucie, Oscar and Bodam; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Michael, Roman, Andrew and Joseph Kenenitz; three sisters, Helen Smolock, Anna Kerlock and Mary Bagdonis.
Divine Liturgy will be held on Monday, December 28, 2020 at 11:00 am in SS Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Mt. Carmel with the Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko as the celebrant. Interment will be private at Assumption BVM Cemetery in Centralia. A viewing will be held on Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. in the Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 South Market Street, Mt. Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz, III Supervisor. To leave a condolence to the family please visit www.stutzfuneralhome.com.
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Born in Allentown, PA on September 29, 1942, Roger was the son of the late Walter and Betty (nee Solt) Walck who had lived in Lehighton, PA. A US Army Vietnam War veteran, he served as a member of the third armored division in Germany and had membership in the American Legion #0853.
Employed by PPL for 35 years, Roger retired as a line crew leader. He was a truck driver employed by Fox Trucking, Infinity, and Matthews; later owning his own company, R. Walck Trucking. Roger was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua where he had served on church council and the property committee. He was a member of the Tamaqua Masonic Lodge F & AM #238 for which he served as Worshipful Master, the Shrine Club, the Rajah Shrine, the Scottish Rite Valley of Allentown 32nd degree, Royal Arch #177, and Gnaden Huetten #203.
Roger had membership in the Bearshead Club, The Red Run, The Wheel Inn, the NRA, and the Hometown Fire Company. He loved spending time on his land, hunting, fishing, camping, and shooting. Roger could be found reading the newspaper, watching FOX news, making breakfast, scratching off lottery tickets, remodeling the house, playing Bingo and Fast Track. He loved snow birding in Florida and teaching his many skills, especially electrical, to anyone willing to learn. Roger was loved by all who knew him.
In addition to his wife, Dolores, he is survived by son, Scott Walck and his wife Nanci of Throop, PA; daughters, Amanda Rarick and her husband Thomas of Slatington, PA, Michelle Kabilko and her husband Eugene of Hometown, PA and Christine Wink and her husband Art Jr. of Hometown; grandchildren, Ryan, Aaron, Kori and her husband Derek, Matthew and his wife Shyloh, Lauren, and Michael; great granddaughter, Lianna; sister, Susie Green; and several uncles, aunts, nephews, and nieces.
He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Linda Meckes.
On a future date, a celebration of life service will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorials in Roger’s name may be made to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 Mauch Chunk Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Jean was born in 1929 to Walter and Martha (Raabe) Hochstatter, at their family home on Dutch Hill in Tamaqua. She was preceded in death by her loving sisters, Fran Adams, Betty McMahon, Dorothy Buehler and Ruth Stegmeier and a brother Walter.
She graduated from Tamaqua High School in 1946. She went on to graduate from Allentown School of Nursing in 1950, a place where she developed a love of nursing and friendships that lasted a lifetime. Later that year, she married the love of her life, Gordon Tonkin, and together they had two children, Gordon and Marilyn.
Jean was passionate about nursing and throughout her life she guided and mentored those younger than her in the field of care giving. She began her nursing career doing private duty and working at Coaldale Hospital, but she is best known for the 27 years she worked as the plant nurse at Atlas
Powder Company. When she wasn’t officially working she offered loving care to neighbors and friends whenever and where ever needed.
Jean shared a very active social life with her husband, Gordy (before he passed away in 2004) and their many friends. They loved dancing, traveling and attending Penn State football games with the Carbon County Booster Club as well as participating in events and trips with the Mahanoy City Chapter of Barber shoppers and the Tamaqua Elks. Later in life she was known around town as one of the “Golden Girls”, a group of lively ladies in their 80’s who supported community events and enjoyed bowling,
playing cards, celebrating the holidays including the Super Bowl, and going out to dinner on Friday nights. She could be found every New Year’s Eve, looking over the town and ringing in the new year with her treasured bell.
Jean was extremely devoted to her faith . She was a life member at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tamaqua, where she served in the choir, on the church council, as a choir mother, chaperone for Luther League events, and was active in the young adults Sunday school class. She was also instrumental in organizing the church’s fundraising rummage sales, where good times were had by all.
Jean was deeply committed to taking care of others and volunteered much of her time in the community. Over the years, she administered the polio vaccine, helped in the gift shop at Coaldale Hospital and often did wellness checks and worked at the blood drives at the Majestic House. She
served as president of Meals on Wheels, and often said she loved delivering meals to the old people, even though she was well into her 80s herself.
Jean dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She treasured time spent with her family, especially during the holidays and on family vacations in Ocean City, MD. She loved dogs too, especially her dog Molly, and could often be seen taking her for walks around town, with her friend, Sarajane Bensinger.
Jean is survived by her daughter Marilyn and her husband Bill Stickler (Midlothian, VA), daughter-in- law Mary Rose Tonkin, (Tamaqua), grandsons Jason Stickler and his wife Shannon, (Midlothian, VA), Gordy Tonkin and his fiancée Ashley Krzemien (Breinigsville), Damian Fritz and his wife Kristin,(Hazle Township, PA) granddaughter Allison Tonkin and her companion Jessica White (Pottsville), six great- grandchildren, Delaney and Brenna Stickler, Tyler, Logan, Addy and Ava Fritz, nieces Kay Smith, Fran Evans, Diane McMahon, Sandy Barnes, and nephews Rob Stegmeier, and Harry and Jack McMahon, extended family Carol and Ron Tempest and special friends Sarajane Bensinger, Annamae Callen and Mickey Sasara (nursing school classmate ).
Jean will be dearly missed by family and friends and will best be remembered as a feisty, strong, fun- loving, advice giving, compassionate woman, always generous to those in need and whose greatest joy in life was helping and caring for others.
In lieu of flowers, it was Jean’s wish that contributions be sent to St. John’s Lutheran Church at 200 Mauch Chunk St. Tamaqua, PA 18252 and the SPCA Ruth Steinart Memorial at 18 Wertz Dr. Pine
Grove, PA 17963.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful staff at Maple Shade Meadows and Ascend Hospice. The loving care that they provided Jean, particularly during the challenging demands placed on them due to Covid, is sincerely appreciated and will be remembered always.
Private Funeral arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation services, Inc. of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania
Interment Odd Fellows Cemetery Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
online condolences or a fond memory of Jean can be expressed by visiting
www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Helen Carr, 94, of Buck Run, passed away Tuesday morning at her home.
The Donald J. Butler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Helen’s memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com.
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Loretta J. Heffner, 89, of Pottsville, passed away Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, at Orwigsburg Center.
Arrangements will be announced at a later date. James H. Evans Funeral Home Inc., Saint Clair, is in charge of arrangements.
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Michael was born in Pottsville, PA on January 22, 1976, a son of Theresa (Schultz) Brensinger, of Llewellyn and Francis Galavage, of Beaver Meadows.
He graduated from Pottsville High School Class of 1994.
He had worked at DHL in Pine Grove.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Michael is survived by three sons Michael Jr., of Girardville; twins Cody and Skyler, of Newtown; and by three sisters, Michelle Hueston, of St. Clair; Vanessa Strausser, of Reading; Patricia Turner, of Millheim. a brother, Francis Jr., of Pottsville & Aunt and Uncle Patricia and Michael Galavage of Port Carbon.
Services are private at the convenience of family.
Interment at Schuylkill Memorial Park Schuylkill Haven.
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Priscilla Whalen Olechnowicz, 95, formerly of Port Carbon, passed away Wednesday while a resident of Phoebe Berks Nursing Home in Wernersville.
Born Oct. 13, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Roy and Florence Schane.
She was a graduate of Blythe Township High School.
Priscilla was a member of First United Methodist Church, Port Carbon, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and participating in weddings and other activities.
She was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Priscilla will be remembered for her sense of humor and always being there to help those in need.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, James Whalen, who passed away in 1981; her second husband, Albert Olechnowicz, who passed away in 2008; along with her siblings, David J. Schane, Ralph W. Schane and Thelma Kleckner.
Priscilla is survived by her children, Ruth Ann Whalen, of Mechanicsburg, and her lifelong friend, Cynthia Lauderbach, and Larry J. Whalen, husband to Alison, of Reading. She is also survived by her stepson, Albert Olechnowicz Jr., husband to Cathy, of York; grandchildren, Emily B. Whalen Stuart, wife of A.J., and James P. Whalen, husband to Jessica; two great-grandchildren, Eli Grace and Jackson Philip; step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Interment will be on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven, is entrusted with services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Priscilla's memory to Phoebe Berks Health Center, Attn: Lorna Malawi, 1 Heidelberg Drive, Wernersville, PA 19565, or Heartland Hospice, 2201 Ridgewood Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610, or First United Methodist Church, 211 Washington St., Port Carbon, PA 17965. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com.
Born Oct. 13, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Roy and Florence Schane.
She was a graduate of Blythe Township High School.
Priscilla was a member of First United Methodist Church, Port Carbon, where she enjoyed singing in the choir and participating in weddings and other activities.
She was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Priscilla will be remembered for her sense of humor and always being there to help those in need.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, James Whalen, who passed away in 1981; her second husband, Albert Olechnowicz, who passed away in 2008; along with her siblings, David J. Schane, Ralph W. Schane and Thelma Kleckner.
Priscilla is survived by her children, Ruth Ann Whalen, of Mechanicsburg, and her lifelong friend, Cynthia Lauderbach, and Larry J. Whalen, husband to Alison, of Reading. She is also survived by her stepson, Albert Olechnowicz Jr., husband to Cathy, of York; grandchildren, Emily B. Whalen Stuart, wife of A.J., and James P. Whalen, husband to Jessica; two great-grandchildren, Eli Grace and Jackson Philip; step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Interment will be on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven, is entrusted with services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Priscilla's memory to Phoebe Berks Health Center, Attn: Lorna Malawi, 1 Heidelberg Drive, Wernersville, PA 19565, or Heartland Hospice, 2201 Ridgewood Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610, or First United Methodist Church, 211 Washington St., Port Carbon, PA 17965. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com.
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