Skook News Obituaries: December 27th, 2020
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born on June 16, 2000 in Pottsville, she was the daughter of John L. DiRenzo and Michelle Raczka DiRenzo, Branch Township. She was a 2018 graduate of Minersville Area High School, where she was a 4-year member of the volleyball team and the Junior Garland Group. Marlena was in her junior year at Bloomsburg University where she was studying Criminal Law.
She was a member of the former St. Matthew the Evangelist Church, Minersville.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Victor Raczka, Sr.; her paternal grandfather, John L. DiRenzo, Sr. and her paternal uncle, Jeffrey DiRenzo.
In addition to her parents, Marlena is survived by her maternal grandmother, Monica "Toots" Mataka Raczka, Minersville; her paternal grandmother, Virginia Lyons DiRenzo, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a maternal uncle, Victor Raczka, Jr.; her paternal aunts, Lori Ann DiRenzo, Waterloo, Iowa, and Angela DiRenzo, Cedar Rapids; great aunts, uncles and cousins. Marlena is also survived by her boyfriend, Dan Smith, Saylorsburg; her beloved CharlieCat; and her lifelong best friend and "sister", Leah Eister, with whom she shared the same birthday.
Marlena was a very kind, gentle and unhurtful soul who wanted nothing more than to see those around her happy. Inside her petite, feminine body lie a gigantic heart of gold. Marlena was extremely intelligent and had a very logical way of thinking that allowed her to be placed on the Bloomsburg University Dean's List each and every semester in a way that almost seemed casual. She was a member of the Tri-Alpha Honor Society.
The family will accept visitors at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. and on Thursday from 6:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. when funeral services will begin. Visitors and attendees are expected to follow CDC guidelines. In support of the first responders to Marlena’s accident on Christmas Eve, the family prefers donations to the Penn Mahoning Ambulance Association, 1748 W Penn Pike, New Ringgold, PA 17960 or to the West Penn Fire Company, 21 Municipal Road, New Ringgold.
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Born in Coaldale on October 3, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Anna (nee McGeehan) Bonner. Margaret was the last living member of the 1941 graduating class of the former St. Mary High School, Coaldale.
She served in the WAC of the Army Air Force during WWII and attended St. Francis School of Nursing. Margaret retired from Marian High School where she was a member of the clerical staff. She was a member of The Parish of St. John XXIII, Tamaqua, PA.
Margaret is survived by nieces whom she helped to raise, Rosemary Proctor and her husband, Dave of Williamsport, PA, Anne Frances Koliboski and her husband, Doug of West Chester, Ohio, and Mary Slaby and her husband, John of State College, PA and Charles Winkler, the husband of Anne Winkler, the fourth niece she helped raise but who predeceased her.
The last Bonner of her line that came from Ireland to PA in the 1840s, she was also predeceased by brothers, Joseph Bonner, Robert Bonner, James Bonner, Daniel Bonner, and John “Jack” Bonner; and sisters, Anna McDede, Mary McGaffigan, Catherine Garrity, and Elizabeth “Betty” Bonner.
Funeral services will be held at a future date.
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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Born in Gilberton, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Anna Pesavage. Teresa graduated from Gilberton High School and McCann School of business. Upon graduation, she was employed by the Law Office of Cletus Kilker. She then worked for The Economic Opportunity Cabinet for over 30 years until retirement.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Francis.
She enjoyed bingo, playing cards, casinos, Atlantic City and Las Vegas trips with real good friends.
She is survived by her loving Husband of 64 ½ years Vytus. Her son, John (Wife) Lisa Karavage, Butler Township, her daughter Lisa (Husband) John Tarson, Butler Township. Grand Children: John and (Wife) Nikki Karavage Palmyra, Kaitlin Karavage and partner Eric Neiswinter of Harrisburg. Great-granddaughter Constance Joy Karavage, Palmyra. Grandchildren: Zack Tarson and his wife Alison, Illinois; Chloe Tarson, Lancaster. Great-grandson Cole Patrick Tarson, Illinois. Nieces, nephews and cousins.
To the very end, her husband, children and grand children, especially her great-granddaughter Constance Joy, were her pride and joy.
Funeral services will be private and for the immediate family only.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Vincent dePaul Worship Center in c/o St. Charles Borromeo Parish at 1115 Walnut Street Ashland, PA 17921 or to St. Jude’s Children Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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Born on October 9, 1952 in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Patrick and Mary Farrell McGovern. He was a 1971 graduate of Minersville High School. He was a supervisor in the home construction trades, and carried his work skills home through his love of woodworking and tinkering for friends and family.
He was a member of St. Matthew the Evangelist Church, Minersville.
Bernie was preceded in death by four siblings, Robert and Joseph McGovern, Elizabeth Schwalm and Patricia O’Brien.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, the former Deborah Mihalski; two daughters, Heather Shutter (spouse, Aron), Hamburg and Holly McGovern, West West Terrace; a granddaughter, Abigail Shutter. He is also survived by five siblings, Mary Colleen Wade (spouse William), Pottsville, Dolores Faust (spouse, Gary), Orwigsburg, Thomas McGovern (spouse, Carol), Branchdale, Geralyn McGovern, Baltimore and Gregory McGovern, Pottsville; nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday at 1:00 P.M. in St. Stanislaus Kostka #2 Cemetery, Branch Township. The family prefers donations to the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA 18 Wertz Dr, Pine Grove, PA 17963 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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Arrangements are incomplete.
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He was born on September 29, 1981 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas and Patricia (Lockhoff) DiFerdinando of Gilbertsville. Jack’s passing will leave a hole in many people’s lives. Most especially his parents, his sister, Amanda DiFerdinando; his nephews Shawn and Alex Campbell, his niece Iris Campbell, and his partner, Samantha M. Yurchak. Jack is also survived by many loving Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Jack made friends at every opportunity and leaves behind way too many to list. He also leaves behind masses of unpaid federal, state and local taxes, fines and student loans.
Jack attended Perkiomen Valley High School and graduated, at the top of class, from the Automotive Training Center (Exton, PA). Jack was literally a “Jack of all Trades” a talented mechanic who worked in the medical equipment field, a woodworker, an artist, a story teller, a musician and he fixed anyone’s car who asked, even if he didn’t feel like it at the time. He was charismatic, outgoing, funny and extremely quick with a comeback.
Charitable donations in Jack’s name to the American Heart Association (www2.heart.org [1-800-ahausa1]) would be a nice tribute to Jack.
Jack’s remains will be cremated and arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18262. (570) 668-2550. A memorial service will be scheduled when gatherings are safe again.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Born in Shenandoah on March 27, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Agnes (Ankaitis) Simonavage.
She was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
Prior to her retirement, she worked for the former Keystone Home Furnishing & Furniture Store, Shenandoah for over twenty years as a bookkeeper.
Helen was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah and the former St. George’s Church and was also a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens. She enjoyed making trips to the casinos with her nieces and cherished the time spent with her family especially shopping, dining and being together with them at holiday gatherings and other special occasions.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband, Edward S. Obrzut in 1998; three sisters, Margaret Trimmer, Anna Guers and Mae Navitsky; two brothers, William Navitsky and Philip Navitsky; an aunt, Regina Hess; two great-nieces, Melanie Vanlinsky and Michelle Biselle; nieces and nephews.
Surviving are nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 11:30 am in Divine Merch Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Mount Fatima Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held on Wednesday morning from 10:30 am until 11:30 am in the church.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Divine Mercy Parish Memorial Fund, 108 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah, PA 17976.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin Street, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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Funeral arrangements and obituary information will be announced at a later date.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah, is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Tower City, January 17, 1949, a son of the late Leon and Elsie Williard Carl.
Jim was a graduate of the Patton Masonic High School. He was a retired iron worker for Local Union 404.
Jim was a member of the Tower City Loyal Order of Moose; Tower City American Legion; Dalmatia Fire Company, Gratz and Millersburg V.F.W. and the Dalmatia Boat Club.
Jim will be remembered for his love of nature, without a doubt, his happiest times where those at his camp at the river in Dalmatia, where he could be found on his boat fishing on the Susquehanna, listening to oldies music or just "tinkering" around camp. He was a jack of all trades, always doing something and was extremely proud and could not wait to show his family his newly remodeled kitchen he just finished. He loved being a pap to his grandkids, whom he was very proud of.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister Diane Underkoffler.
Surviving are his two children, Sonya L. Raho, Tower City and James J. Carl and his wife Valarie, Tower City, his longtime companion; Celeste A. Bowman with whom he resided; his six grandchildren; Travis Hoover, Devin, Alex and Bo Raho; Mackenzie and Naomi Carl, one great grandson; Fury Hoover; a brother, Jack L. Carl, Williamstown; a sister, Patsy L. Klouser, Florida. Nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Jim's Life will be held on Monday, January 4, 2021 from the Christ United Methodist Church, Tower City with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery Visitation will be from 10-11 at the church. All CDC guidelines should be followed. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com.
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Marie E Clark, age 89, of Hegins, passed away Sunday, December 27, 2020 at Tremont Health and Rehabilitation Center, Tremont.
She was born on Monday, February 16, 1931, in Valley View, a daughter of the late Thomas W Hepler and the late Sula (Herb) Hepler.
She was a 1948 graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School, Linden Hall Junior College, and the School of Practical Nursing, Pottsville.
Marie did home care in her younger years and then was a packer for the former Philmark Mfg, Valley View until her retirement.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley View.
She was preceded in death by her parents; by a step daughter, Donna M Melocheck: three brothers, Dr. Thomas K Hepler, Lenwood G Hepler, and Lee Hepler; and a sister, Rachel M Maurer.
She is survived by her husband Lyle F Clark.
She is also survived by a daughter, Kim K Klouser of Harrisburg; a son, Kent K Klouser and his wife Alexandrette of Beach Creek; a step son, Dennis L Clark and his wife Judy of Pitman; three step grandchildren; eight step great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held at Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, with Rev. Curtis Zemencik officiating.
Burial will be made in Friedens Cemetery, Hegins.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.
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William Urban, 101, of Mahanoy City, passed away on Thursday, December 24th, 2020 at the Lehigh Valley Medical Center, Cedar Crest, Allentown.
He was born in Lost Creek, Pa on October 16th, 1919. William was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corps serving in World War II. He then worked as an electrician for many years. He was a member of the V.F.W., and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and 4 wheeling.
William was preceded by his wife Bertha in 1983.
Surviving is his caregiver, Joan Savitsky, Ringtown.
Graveside services will be conducted on Thursday, December 31st at 10:30am in St. Casimir’s Parish Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights and will be officiated by Deacon Jack Quirk.
Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, Shenandoah are in charge of the arrangements.
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