Skook News Obituaries: February 16th, 2021
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Mahanoy City, PA on February 26, 1940, Bernie was the son of the late Catherine (Rudis) and Bernard Anthony Marchalonis. He grew up in Mahanoy City with his three sisters and worked as a child in his parent's corner grocery store and summers at Locust Lake. Bernie was a regular attendee of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Church in Mahanoy City. He graduated from Mahanoy City HS in 1958 and from East Stroudsburg State College in 1962 with a BS in Education. Bernie was a top-scoring MVP athlete who played basketball in high school and in college.
Immediately after college, Bernie began his 35-year career as an educator at Mahanoy Area, teaching high school biology and geography to thousands of students. Known affectionately by students as "Mr. Marsh", he regularly entertained students with jokes and puns while teaching world capitals and "photosynthesis". For many years Bernie was the "voice of MAHS football", announcing home games in the stadium. He also assisted as a band chaperone for away games and field trips. In retirement, Bernie volunteered at Meals on Wheels and provided care and support for many friends and relatives.
Bernie met the love of his life while lifeguarding on the shores of Beach Haven, NJ. Mary Ellen (Plumb) was a waitress in Beach Haven who was introduced to Bernie on a double date. So began a partnership that would continue for 57 years of marriage. After a few years living in Pottsville and Mahanoy City, Bernie and Mary Ellen built a home in Barnesville where they would raise their two children and enjoy numerous picnics, celebrations, and traditions with family and friends.
Bernie was blessed with close relatives and many friendships, a number of which began in grade school and continued throughout his lifetime. Many of these friends met weekly at each other's homes, back yards, or local restaurants for food and refreshments. They also traveled to destinations around the country and the world. Bernie and Mary Ellen adventured to every continent including his favorite, Antarctica, and usually by cruise ship. Family vacations to Beach Haven or Bethany Beach were a summer highlight. Always the photojournalist, Bernie diligently captured images which he would regularly compile and narrate to document a trip, event, or occasion. Many enjoyed his annual calendars, personalized for each recipient.
Bernie was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ellen and sister Florence. He is survived by sisters, Catherine (Kitty) Davis, Lancaster, and Lucille Loder, Pittsford, NY; a son, Robert Marchalonis and wife Melissa, Lancaster, and daughter, Mary Catherine Seibert and husband James, Orwigsburg. Bernie is also survived by grandchildren, Ryan Shakely and wife Jessica, Hummelstown, Janelle Meck and husband Ben, Phoenixville, Matthew Marchalonis and wife Leslie, Corpus Christi, TX, Michael Marchalonis and wife Madison, Rodgers, AR, Adam Seibert, Jacksonville, FL, James Seibert Jr., Raleigh, NC; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Katherine, Sophia, Logan, and Abigail; and numerous nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Teresa of Calcutta Church, 600 W. Mahanoy Street, Mahanoy City, PA 17948.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a future date.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book or send sympathy cards.
Jacques R. Ebling, 88, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Saturday, Feb. 13, at St. Luke's Hospital, Allentown.
Born Sept. 18, 1932, in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Dorothy (Moyer) and Clayton Ebling.
He was the husband of Verna M. (Trumbo) Ebling.
Jack was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Class of 1951, where he was the class president and then attended Thaddeus Stevens Trade School.
He was drafted into the Army and was honorably discharged in 1955.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, and attended St. Paul's United Church of Christ of Summer Hill, where he served as Sunday school treasurer for many years.
He was committee chairman for Boy Scout Troop 125.
He was a member and the commander of the American Veterans, Summit Station, Cressona Legion, Blue Lodge, Pottsville, Allentown Consistory and was formerly involved with Schuylkill Haven Midget Football. He was inducted into the Pottsville High School All Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jack was also the previous co-owner and operator of Economy Garage, Pottsville, a family business that was in operation for over 90 years.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Rudy Ebling.
Jack's family and friends will remember him as one who could fix anything. He enjoyed a good practical joke and loved to tell stories. He enjoyed sitting on the porch at his cabin and playing Santa for countless children over the years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, the Rev. Debra Ebling, wife of Patrick Vaughn, Landenburg; son, Edwin Ebling, husband of Cindy, Schuylkill Haven; grandchildren, Allison and Erin Ebling and Nathan Vaughn.
A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 17 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Auburn, with the Rev. Ken McDowell officiating. Please visit Summer Hill UCC on Facebook to get the Zoom link if you wish to attend the service virtually. A viewing will be held prior from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. The family requests guests to abide by CDC guidelines - proper mask wearing and social distancing. Interment will follow the service in Summer Hill Cemetery, Auburn. At the family's request, contributions in Jack's memory may be forwarded to Boy Scout Troop 651, c/o Lorna Palerino, 40 Plum Creek Road, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
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Born Sept. 18, 1932, in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Dorothy (Moyer) and Clayton Ebling.
He was the husband of Verna M. (Trumbo) Ebling.
Jack was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Class of 1951, where he was the class president and then attended Thaddeus Stevens Trade School.
He was drafted into the Army and was honorably discharged in 1955.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, and attended St. Paul's United Church of Christ of Summer Hill, where he served as Sunday school treasurer for many years.
He was committee chairman for Boy Scout Troop 125.
He was a member and the commander of the American Veterans, Summit Station, Cressona Legion, Blue Lodge, Pottsville, Allentown Consistory and was formerly involved with Schuylkill Haven Midget Football. He was inducted into the Pottsville High School All Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jack was also the previous co-owner and operator of Economy Garage, Pottsville, a family business that was in operation for over 90 years.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Rudy Ebling.
Jack's family and friends will remember him as one who could fix anything. He enjoyed a good practical joke and loved to tell stories. He enjoyed sitting on the porch at his cabin and playing Santa for countless children over the years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, the Rev. Debra Ebling, wife of Patrick Vaughn, Landenburg; son, Edwin Ebling, husband of Cindy, Schuylkill Haven; grandchildren, Allison and Erin Ebling and Nathan Vaughn.
A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 17 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Auburn, with the Rev. Ken McDowell officiating. Please visit Summer Hill UCC on Facebook to get the Zoom link if you wish to attend the service virtually. A viewing will be held prior from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. The family requests guests to abide by CDC guidelines - proper mask wearing and social distancing. Interment will follow the service in Summer Hill Cemetery, Auburn. At the family's request, contributions in Jack's memory may be forwarded to Boy Scout Troop 651, c/o Lorna Palerino, 40 Plum Creek Road, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
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Born Oct. 24, 1934, in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Albert Schmitt Sr. and Elizabeth (Rosenberger) Schmitt. He was preceded by his wife of 31 years, Veronica (Barone) Schmitt.
He was employed as a bricklayer for many years, having worked with Cresswell Bros., Don Tropp and Schmehl. He later worked part time at Acme Market, Cressona.
He was a veteran, having served in the Navy. He enlisted in March 1954 and received his honorable discharge March 1958. He served on the USS John Paul Jones destroyer and the USS Monterey aircraft carrier.
He was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Church, Pottsville. He was a lifelong member of West End No. 7 Hose Company, Pottsville. He was an honorary member of Beckville Fish & Game.
He enjoyed spending time with family, woodworking and trips to Ocean City, N.J.
Survivors include daughters, Geraldine "Geri" Schmitt Beane, wife of David R. Beane, Reading, and Kathleen "Kathy" Siko, wife of Walter D. Siko, Aston; son, Shawn Schmitt and his fiancee, Karen Tropp, with whom he resided. Additional survivors include grandchildren, Alex Beane, of Wayne, N.J., Andrew, and Victoria Beane, both of Reading, and Veronica Siko; sisters, Pat Trabosh and Dorothy Brown, both of Pottsville, and Ann Marie "Dolly" Reichert, Auburn; brother, John Schmitt, Pottsville; nieces & nephews.
A viewing will be held for friends and family on Tuesday, February 23rd from 5-7 p.m. at Grace Evangelical Congregational church, 15 Earl Stoyer Dr., Schuylkill Haven.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at St. John the Baptist Church, Pottsville. No visitation will be held prior to the Mass.
Interment will be held at St. John the Baptist Church Cemetery, Yorkville, at a later date.
At the family's request, memorial donations in Hic's memory may be forwarded to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
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Frances H. Taylor, 90, Pottsville, entered into eternal rest Tuesday morning at her home.
Arrangements will be announced by Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home 515 West Market St. Pottsville.
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Born March 9, 1941 in Cressona, he was the son of the late Mildred (Knarr) and Thomas Wingle.
Earl was a 1959 Graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served stateside during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge, he joined the Pennsylvania State Police in 1964 and served as a Trooper until he retired in 1990.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Betty Bello of New Jersey,and brothers John Wingle of Schuylkill Haven, Gerald Wingle of Schuylkill Haven, Paul Wingle of Utah, Edward Wingle of Cressona, and Thomas Wingle of Orwigsburg.
He is survived by his wife Kathleen Margaret (Fitzmaurice) Wingle of 53 years and their children Christopher Wingle, companion to Kimberly Modesto of Orwigsburg, Craig Wingle and his wife Stacy of Millersburg and Colleen Kovalchik wife of John, Harrisburg, grandchildren Kali Wingle of Pittsburgh, Zak Wingle of Orwigsburg, Ian Kovalchik, Kathleen Kovalchik and Elizabeth Kovalchik of Harrisburg, and step grandson Jarod Koons of Dauphin.
Earl was a family man. He loved watching the Phillies, Eagles and Penn State as well as his alma mater Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes. He coached youth sports for many years in Schuylkill Haven. He was an avid golfer and fisherman. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the American Legion in Schuylkill Haven. He enjoyed his monthly breakfasts with his retired brothers in Blue at Josie’s in Orwigsburg.
A Religious Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 20th at Hamilton - Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg, with Msgr Rev. Edward Zemanik officiating. A visitation with family members present will be held from 9:00 AM until time of service. Guests are asked to follow CDC guidelines to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Interment will be private, at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 38, Home Association, 229 Parkway Schuylkill Haven or St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, 201 Randel Street, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
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Mary C. Pothering, 91, of Minersville, passed away Monday at Above and Beyond Assisted Living in Allentown, PA. Her caregivers were loving and kind and became her second family.
Born November 18, 1929, in Llewellyn, PA, she was a daughter of the late Hilda Beach Huntzinger and Herman Huntzinger. Mary was educated in Branch Township and graduated from Branch Township High School. She worked as an office manager and bookkeeper for various garment factories in the area. She was a lifetime member of Friedens Lutheran Church in Steins, PA and was active in her community and church. She was a member of Eastern Star and Llewellyn Amvets Auxiliary. She was an avid quilter and spent many sunny days gardening with her best friend Elizabeth (Betty) Ryndock. She enjoyed summer vacations at the beach with her niece and godchild Denise Essler. She was a den mother for local boy scouts, a giving woman, good friend, and kind to all who knew her.
Mary loved her church, her family, and her precious Boston Terrier, Hollie. Mary and her husband George were a beautiful couple who supported their children and grandchildren in everything they pursued. She was a devoted mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.
Mary is survived by a daughter, Debra Pothering Zangari, Minersville, PA; son, Greg and his wife, Ellen Pothering, Neffs, PA; grandchildren, Maria Zangari, Ringtown, PA; Dr. Christian Pothering, his wife, Larissa and great grandchildren, Kaleigh and Bryce Pothering, Winston-Salem, NC. Mary is also survived by her brother-in-law, Jimmy Pothering, sister-in-law, Bonnie Pothering Melenchick, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband George J. Pothering; sister, Hilda Mae Huntzinger; brothers, Robert Huntzinger, and his wife, Ann; and Herman Huntzinger, and his wife, Betty. Those wishing to make donations can send them in Mary’s name to Friedens Lutheran Church, Steins, PA. Services will be private and are entrusted to the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home,Inc., Minersville.
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