Skook News Obituaries: February 3rd, 2021
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
----------------------------------------------
Born in Tamaqua on April 18, 1921, Betty was a daughter of the late George Z. and Sarah M. (Rusden) Hadesty. A 1939 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she was very active in planning their class reunions. The oldest parishioner of her church, Betty was a lifelong member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Tamaqua where she taught Sunday School for many years and was one of Leo’s church kitchen crew. Betty started out as a teenage waitress at Scrafford’s and Wood’s Restaurants, and later worked at Wood Brother’s Candies where she was the candy decorator. Betty then worked at Mahanoy City General Cigar until it closed and finally, retired from Rest Haven in Orwigsburg, PA where she worked as a nurse’s aide. Betty often told her family that the secret of longevity is working hard at anything you do. She enjoyed traveling and spending the winter months in Florida with her crossword puzzles. Betty was a member of the Tamaqua Historical Society, the Schuylkill County Retired Employees Association, and the Red Hat Society of Tamaqua. She served as a Brownie Troop leader and was most proud to be the mother of an Eagle Scout. The legacy of Betty’s graceful style, quick wittedness, beautiful heart, kind spirit, and enduring love as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and great aunt will live on through her family. She will be missed by the many whose lives she touched.
Surviving in addition to her daughter Toni are a daughter Chloe Gayda of Tamaqua and a son David L. Andrukitis and his wife Barbara of Bethany Beach, Delaware; grandchildren Bradley Andrukitis and his wife Christine of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Stacey Blundell and her husband Robert of Brambleton, Virginia, David M. Jones of Alexandria, Virginia, and Nichole Hydro of Tamaqua; great-grandchildren Bryce and Brandin Andrukitis, Charles and Amy Blundell, Natalie and Nicholas Hydro; her beloved great, great niece Sarah Ann Bair of Atlanta, Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Betty was preceded in death by a brother John Hadesty in 1967 and two sisters, Frances De Frehn in 1998 and Myrtle Pichacolas in 2001.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, February 6 in Trinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette Street, Tamaqua. Call 10-11 AM on Saturday in the church. Interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua will be held at a later date. Memorials in Betty’s name may be made to the Endowment Fund of Trinity United Church of Christ c/o of the church address above.
Attendees are reminded of the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines and are kindly asked to wear a mask and observe physical distancing. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
She was the widow of Gene C. Leymeister, Sr.
Sharen was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School.
She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Auburn.
Sharen was formerly employed as a sewing machine operator for local textile factories.
She is survived by two daughters: Stacy Leymeister, of Auburn; & Heather, wife of Jesse Wingle, of Pottsville, a son,Gene C. Leymeister, Jr., of Pottsville; three grandsons, two granddaughters, and her companion, Sterling Lewars, Auburn.
Private services will be conducted at the convenience of the family.
Born in Pottsville on September 29, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Harold C. And Helen E. (Weihe) Roeder.
She was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School, class of 1962 and then attended Empire Beauty School. She was employed by various local retailers including GNC and most recently at Dollar General. Sandra was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Orwigsburg Chapter #424.
----------------------------------------------
Sharen S. Leymeister, 73, of Auburn, passed away February 2nd, at home.
Born in Pottsville on May 27, 1947, she was a daughter of the late Harry & Norma (Shomper) Reedy.She was the widow of Gene C. Leymeister, Sr.
Sharen was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School.
She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Auburn.
Sharen was formerly employed as a sewing machine operator for local textile factories.
She is survived by two daughters: Stacy Leymeister, of Auburn; & Heather, wife of Jesse Wingle, of Pottsville, a son,Gene C. Leymeister, Jr., of Pottsville; three grandsons, two granddaughters, and her companion, Sterling Lewars, Auburn.
Private services will be conducted at the convenience of the family.
----------------------------------------------
Sandra L. Frey, age 76, of Summit Station, passed away Monday, February 1 at her residence.Born in Pottsville on September 29, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Harold C. And Helen E. (Weihe) Roeder.
She was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School, class of 1962 and then attended Empire Beauty School. She was employed by various local retailers including GNC and most recently at Dollar General. Sandra was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Orwigsburg Chapter #424.
In addition to her former husband, David P. Frey, Sr. and parents, Sandra is preceded in death by her grandparents, aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her son, David P. Frey, Jr. and his companion Isabella Miller, Summer Station; daughter in law, Bonnie L. Frey and her fiancé Jeffery Demmy, Lebanon; grandchildren, Katherine Hinkle and companion Jason Ulsh, Auburn, David P. Frey, III husband of Rachel, Auburn and Tiffany Staver wife of Scott, Summit Station; great grandchildren Shane, Noah, Riley, Alanza, BellaBLEU and Brentley; and her pet companion Gunner.
Due to the current pandemic, services and interment will be held privately.
Contributions in Sandra's memory may be forwarded to Order of the Eastern Star, Orwigsburg Chapter #424, In c/o Fern E. Houser, 730 West Market Street, Orwigsburg PA 17961.
Harold E. "Bill" Zimmerman, 92 of Cherry St. Pine Grove, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021 at home.
Born on November 7, 1928 in Rock, he was a son of the late Wilbur and Helen Rarick Zimmerman .
He was a 1946 graduate of Pine Grove High School and had attended St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Pine Grove.
Bill was a SGT first class in the Army, serving during WWII and Korea. He was a member of the 167th Transportation Truck Battalion.
He was a Supervisor for the Pine Grove Borough Water and Sewage Treatment Plants and was a water treatment plant supervisor at Guilford Mills, Pine Grove from 1980 until he retired in 1994. He also was a P.P. & L. employee for 3 years.
Bill was a life member and 50 year member of H. H. & L. Fire Co. No. 1 and served as Fire Chief for 26 years from 1969-1995, was a PA State Police Fire Marshall for 26 years for Pine Grove Borough, Pine Grove Twp. Washington Twp. and Tremont Twp., and a PA Forest Fire Warden for 36 years. He was past president of the Pine Grove Lions Club and Zone Chairman, past Noble Grand of the Pine Grove Odd Fellows Lodge, charter member of the Pine Grove Ambulance Association, member of the Pine Grove VFW Post 3432, and life member of Pine Grove American Legion Post 374.
He served on the Pine Grove Borough Council from 1982-2004 where he was president for 12 years, Pine Grove Borough Recreation Board for 10 years, Pine Grove Borough Tree Commission for 8 years, and was a member of the board of the Pine Grove Joint Treatment Authority from 2000-2017.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 44 years, Jean Snyder Zimmerman; daughter Jeanne McGovern; grandson Edward McGovern; brother Richard Zimmerman, Sr.; and two sisters, Janet Mitsky and Betty Barr.
Surviving are a daughter, Wanda Frew and companion Bill McGovern of Tremont; two grandsons, Michael Frew of Pine Grove and Jamie Frew of Tremont; great grandson Joshua Frew; son-in-law Charles McGovern of Newtown; sister-in-law Beverly Zimmerman of Pine Grove; nieces and nephews.
Graveside Services and interment will be held at a later date in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
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.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com.
Lorraine A. (Shadle) Hess, 91, of Pine Grove, passed away peacefully at home and entered her heavenly home to meet her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 31, 2021.
Born October 31, 1929 in the Deep Creek Valley of Hegins, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Gurney A. and Adele M. Knorr Shadle.
She was a retired seamstress having worked for Canoe Manufacturing Co and Dol Enterprises. She was a member of the ILGWU.
Lorraine was a member of the former Pleasant Valley Evangelical Wesleyan Church, Pine Grove, where she served as Sunday School Secretary, member of the Church Board and Sunday School teacher.
She was a devoted caregiver for her mother for numerous years.
Lorraine enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, coloring, game shows and her favorite soap- General Hospital. She loved marigolds and made the best pumpkin pie ever. Most especially was her love for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pictures and mementos of them were seen everywhere at her home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John E. Hess, Jr. in 2013, after 62 years of marriage; infant sister, Alice, and two brothers, Albert Shadle and Clair Shadle.
Surviving are her daughter Sharon, wife of Jody L. Natale; two granddaughters, Nina, wife of Jason Purcell, and Jessica, wife of Brandon Schneck; five great grandchildren, Rieleigh and Taylor Purcell and Konnor, Sadie and Fayth Schneck; sister, Betty, wife of William Murphy; nieces and nephews.
There will be a calling time at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Memorial services and interment at Hetzel's Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family.
You may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
Gale “Nick” W. Nicholas, 83 years, of Frackville, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, Allentown, just 2 weeks shy of his 84th birthday.
Born in Shenandoah, February 13, 1937, he was a son of the late Timothy and Nellie (Wagner) Nicholas. He was a graduate of the former West Mahanoy Township High School, class of 1955.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran having served 2 years active duty on the Coral Sea and 6 years in the Navy Reserves.
He worked as a Union Leader and truck driver for the Metropolitan, Mirror & Glass Company until its closure in Frackville, and was truck driver for Harris Bakery in Shenandoah.
Nick was an avid fisherman, Phillies, and Eagles fan. He also loved to watch the weather to be sure he was prepared for all conditions. Nick volunteered his time to the Frackville Area Food Pantry. Most of all, Nick enjoyed spending time with his family making everyone laugh with his quick sense of humor.
Nick is survived by his wife of 63 years Carol (Brosius) Nicholas; 3 daughters, Lynn Basheda and husband Stephen, Pittsburgh, Lisa Dower and husband Joe, Allentown, Lori Wagner and husband Rich, Mechanicsburg, 9 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Wayne Brosius, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Daniel Nicholas.
Religious Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 6, at the Albert L. Gricoski Funeral Home, 48 N. Broad Mtn Ave. Frackville, with Pastor Carl Shankweiler, as celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation following CDC guidelines of masks and social distancing from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Odd Fellows cemetery in Frackville.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Zion Lutheran Church or Frackville Area Food Pantry, 48 S. Nice St., Frackville, PA 17931.
Hap was a husband and father who worked extremely hard all his life. Although he was not a rich man, he was an extremely proud man. He could do almost anything mechanically. Hap worked for J. Robert Bazley when he returned from his Navy service. Bazely’s construction company was one of the region’s most notable construction companies in eastern Pennsylvania. He moved to Harvey Moyer’s construction company and he finished his working career at the H. L. Miller and Son’s Textile Plant in Schuylkill Haven where he was a Senior Maintenance Mechanic.
Hap enjoyed his Navy service onboard the USS Cassin Young DD 793. He visited the ship years later in Massachusetts, where it is an historic Navy ship maintained by the National Park Service. At the request of the Park Ranger, he provided a thorough, very educational tour for a group of tourists.
During his construction career he worked with many characters. They had many crazy times on the job. Hap told a story about a time when the road crew was moving a shovel from one position to another and during transportation the shovel caught some wires and pulled them down. All of a sudden there was a man driving up next to them complaining that he was waiting for a phone call from his employer directing him back to work. However, one of the wires they ripped down was the phone line. He told many stories. His stories will be missed.
In addition to telling stories, Hap enjoyed playing cards and singing. He used to take the bus to Atlantic City and he played the PA Lottery almost every day.
Hap made his way through life with very little help. He was an extremely independent person, who was proud of his work ethic and his ability to always rely on himself.
Preceding Hap in death were his parents, Helen and Rudolph White, and his loving wife of 43 years Margaret Pearl (Ploxa) White. Surviving is his son John T. White (Denise Jackson) of Philadelphia and Northern Virginia, his devoted companion Betty Gerber of Schuylkill Haven, PA, two granddaughters Nichole White Brown (Jonathan) and Jenna White (J.D.) both of Portland, Maine one great-grandson, niece Geraldine (Hullihan) Kintzel (Jerold) of Pine Grove, PA and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Edwin Rudolph (Hap) White will be missed!
A funeral service will be held at 11AM on Wednesday February 10th at the Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon.
Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Tuesday evening from 5-7Pm and Wednesday morning from 10-11AM at the Funeral Home.
Interment with Military Honors will immediately following at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.
Please send condolences www.robertaevansjrfh.com
Born Sunday, November 24, 1935 in Andreas, Pennsylvania the son of the late Henry W., and Evelyn (Hamm) Eberts. Wilbur was also predeceased by his beloved wife, Elaine Mae (Fritz) Eberts.
Surviving are son, Mark W. Eberts and his wife Lisa of Tamaqua; niece, Kyle Smith of Lehighton; good friend, David Bowman; grand dog, Ellie.
Wilbur was a faithful member of St. Peter's Church of Mantzville. He retired from Tam Pallet Company of Lehighton, and had worked on the West Penn Township Road Crew for many years. Wilbur was an avid hunter his entire life. He enjoyed hunting on his farm in West Penn Township. Wilbur also enjoyed trips to the Lizard Creek Hunting club in Potter County with Mark. Wilbur liked camping, and snowmobiling in his younger years.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.of 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884
An interment will take place in the Spring at St. Peter's Church Cemetery Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to:
St. Peter's Church
184 St. Peters Church Road
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252
Online expressions of sympathy or a fond memory may be made by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
She is survived by her son, David P. Frey, Jr. and his companion Isabella Miller, Summer Station; daughter in law, Bonnie L. Frey and her fiancé Jeffery Demmy, Lebanon; grandchildren, Katherine Hinkle and companion Jason Ulsh, Auburn, David P. Frey, III husband of Rachel, Auburn and Tiffany Staver wife of Scott, Summit Station; great grandchildren Shane, Noah, Riley, Alanza, BellaBLEU and Brentley; and her pet companion Gunner.
Due to the current pandemic, services and interment will be held privately.
Contributions in Sandra's memory may be forwarded to Order of the Eastern Star, Orwigsburg Chapter #424, In c/o Fern E. Houser, 730 West Market Street, Orwigsburg PA 17961.
----------------------------------------------
Born on November 7, 1928 in Rock, he was a son of the late Wilbur and Helen Rarick Zimmerman .
He was a 1946 graduate of Pine Grove High School and had attended St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Pine Grove.
Bill was a SGT first class in the Army, serving during WWII and Korea. He was a member of the 167th Transportation Truck Battalion.
He was a Supervisor for the Pine Grove Borough Water and Sewage Treatment Plants and was a water treatment plant supervisor at Guilford Mills, Pine Grove from 1980 until he retired in 1994. He also was a P.P. & L. employee for 3 years.
Bill was a life member and 50 year member of H. H. & L. Fire Co. No. 1 and served as Fire Chief for 26 years from 1969-1995, was a PA State Police Fire Marshall for 26 years for Pine Grove Borough, Pine Grove Twp. Washington Twp. and Tremont Twp., and a PA Forest Fire Warden for 36 years. He was past president of the Pine Grove Lions Club and Zone Chairman, past Noble Grand of the Pine Grove Odd Fellows Lodge, charter member of the Pine Grove Ambulance Association, member of the Pine Grove VFW Post 3432, and life member of Pine Grove American Legion Post 374.
He served on the Pine Grove Borough Council from 1982-2004 where he was president for 12 years, Pine Grove Borough Recreation Board for 10 years, Pine Grove Borough Tree Commission for 8 years, and was a member of the board of the Pine Grove Joint Treatment Authority from 2000-2017.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 44 years, Jean Snyder Zimmerman; daughter Jeanne McGovern; grandson Edward McGovern; brother Richard Zimmerman, Sr.; and two sisters, Janet Mitsky and Betty Barr.
Surviving are a daughter, Wanda Frew and companion Bill McGovern of Tremont; two grandsons, Michael Frew of Pine Grove and Jamie Frew of Tremont; great grandson Joshua Frew; son-in-law Charles McGovern of Newtown; sister-in-law Beverly Zimmerman of Pine Grove; nieces and nephews.
Graveside Services and interment will be held at a later date in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
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.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com.
----------------------------------------------
Born October 31, 1929 in the Deep Creek Valley of Hegins, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Gurney A. and Adele M. Knorr Shadle.
She was a retired seamstress having worked for Canoe Manufacturing Co and Dol Enterprises. She was a member of the ILGWU.
Lorraine was a member of the former Pleasant Valley Evangelical Wesleyan Church, Pine Grove, where she served as Sunday School Secretary, member of the Church Board and Sunday School teacher.
She was a devoted caregiver for her mother for numerous years.
Lorraine enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, coloring, game shows and her favorite soap- General Hospital. She loved marigolds and made the best pumpkin pie ever. Most especially was her love for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pictures and mementos of them were seen everywhere at her home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John E. Hess, Jr. in 2013, after 62 years of marriage; infant sister, Alice, and two brothers, Albert Shadle and Clair Shadle.
Surviving are her daughter Sharon, wife of Jody L. Natale; two granddaughters, Nina, wife of Jason Purcell, and Jessica, wife of Brandon Schneck; five great grandchildren, Rieleigh and Taylor Purcell and Konnor, Sadie and Fayth Schneck; sister, Betty, wife of William Murphy; nieces and nephews.
There will be a calling time at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Memorial services and interment at Hetzel's Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family.
You may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
----------------------------------------------
Born in Shenandoah, February 13, 1937, he was a son of the late Timothy and Nellie (Wagner) Nicholas. He was a graduate of the former West Mahanoy Township High School, class of 1955.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran having served 2 years active duty on the Coral Sea and 6 years in the Navy Reserves.
He worked as a Union Leader and truck driver for the Metropolitan, Mirror & Glass Company until its closure in Frackville, and was truck driver for Harris Bakery in Shenandoah.
Nick was an avid fisherman, Phillies, and Eagles fan. He also loved to watch the weather to be sure he was prepared for all conditions. Nick volunteered his time to the Frackville Area Food Pantry. Most of all, Nick enjoyed spending time with his family making everyone laugh with his quick sense of humor.
Nick is survived by his wife of 63 years Carol (Brosius) Nicholas; 3 daughters, Lynn Basheda and husband Stephen, Pittsburgh, Lisa Dower and husband Joe, Allentown, Lori Wagner and husband Rich, Mechanicsburg, 9 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Wayne Brosius, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Daniel Nicholas.
Religious Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 6, at the Albert L. Gricoski Funeral Home, 48 N. Broad Mtn Ave. Frackville, with Pastor Carl Shankweiler, as celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation following CDC guidelines of masks and social distancing from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Odd Fellows cemetery in Frackville.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Zion Lutheran Church or Frackville Area Food Pantry, 48 S. Nice St., Frackville, PA 17931.
----------------------------------------------
Edwin Rudolph (Hap) White departed this life at 11:16 a.m. on Wednesday 3 February 2021 in Schuylkill Haven, PA following a brief illness. Hap was born in Fountain Springs, Butler Township in Schuylkill County Pennsylvania on July 13th, 1935. He was the son of Helen (Moran) and Rudolph White. He graduated from Port Carbon High School with the class of 1953. Hap was of the Lutheran faith and attended Saint Paul’s Church in Port Carbon, PA. Hap was a US Navy veteran, who served in the Korean War and he was a lifelong member of the Disabled American Veterans.Hap was a husband and father who worked extremely hard all his life. Although he was not a rich man, he was an extremely proud man. He could do almost anything mechanically. Hap worked for J. Robert Bazley when he returned from his Navy service. Bazely’s construction company was one of the region’s most notable construction companies in eastern Pennsylvania. He moved to Harvey Moyer’s construction company and he finished his working career at the H. L. Miller and Son’s Textile Plant in Schuylkill Haven where he was a Senior Maintenance Mechanic.
Hap enjoyed his Navy service onboard the USS Cassin Young DD 793. He visited the ship years later in Massachusetts, where it is an historic Navy ship maintained by the National Park Service. At the request of the Park Ranger, he provided a thorough, very educational tour for a group of tourists.
During his construction career he worked with many characters. They had many crazy times on the job. Hap told a story about a time when the road crew was moving a shovel from one position to another and during transportation the shovel caught some wires and pulled them down. All of a sudden there was a man driving up next to them complaining that he was waiting for a phone call from his employer directing him back to work. However, one of the wires they ripped down was the phone line. He told many stories. His stories will be missed.
In addition to telling stories, Hap enjoyed playing cards and singing. He used to take the bus to Atlantic City and he played the PA Lottery almost every day.
Hap made his way through life with very little help. He was an extremely independent person, who was proud of his work ethic and his ability to always rely on himself.
Preceding Hap in death were his parents, Helen and Rudolph White, and his loving wife of 43 years Margaret Pearl (Ploxa) White. Surviving is his son John T. White (Denise Jackson) of Philadelphia and Northern Virginia, his devoted companion Betty Gerber of Schuylkill Haven, PA, two granddaughters Nichole White Brown (Jonathan) and Jenna White (J.D.) both of Portland, Maine one great-grandson, niece Geraldine (Hullihan) Kintzel (Jerold) of Pine Grove, PA and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Edwin Rudolph (Hap) White will be missed!
A funeral service will be held at 11AM on Wednesday February 10th at the Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon.
Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Tuesday evening from 5-7Pm and Wednesday morning from 10-11AM at the Funeral Home.
Interment with Military Honors will immediately following at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.
Please send condolences www.robertaevansjrfh.com
----------------------------------------------
Wilbur H. Eberts, 85 years of age, of Mush Dahl Road New Ringgold, Pennsylvania passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Gracedale Nursing Home in Nazareth,Pennsylvania.Born Sunday, November 24, 1935 in Andreas, Pennsylvania the son of the late Henry W., and Evelyn (Hamm) Eberts. Wilbur was also predeceased by his beloved wife, Elaine Mae (Fritz) Eberts.
Surviving are son, Mark W. Eberts and his wife Lisa of Tamaqua; niece, Kyle Smith of Lehighton; good friend, David Bowman; grand dog, Ellie.
Wilbur was a faithful member of St. Peter's Church of Mantzville. He retired from Tam Pallet Company of Lehighton, and had worked on the West Penn Township Road Crew for many years. Wilbur was an avid hunter his entire life. He enjoyed hunting on his farm in West Penn Township. Wilbur also enjoyed trips to the Lizard Creek Hunting club in Potter County with Mark. Wilbur liked camping, and snowmobiling in his younger years.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.of 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884
An interment will take place in the Spring at St. Peter's Church Cemetery Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to:
St. Peter's Church
184 St. Peters Church Road
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252
Online expressions of sympathy or a fond memory may be made by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
----------------------------------------------
He was a graduate of Porter-Tower High School, Reinerton, PA. He was a partner and co-owner of his family farm, George W. Tallman & Sons, which later became Tallman Family Farms, LLC. In addition to farming, the family also had interests in strip mining, and as a result he learned to operate nearly every piece of earthmoving equipment known to engineering. In 1963, with the Vietnam War becoming more and more of an issue, he decided to serve his country and enlisted in the US Naval Reserve Seabee Detachment in Harrisburg, PA. He thus began a military reserve career which took him to California, Guam, Rhode Island, Vietnam, Norfolk, VA back to Harrisburg, PA as an instructor and asphalt plant operator. While in Vietnam he was deeply involved in the TET Offensive of 1968. He and his fellow Seabees were often called upon to take up defensive positions in the Da Nang area of Vietnam. His service culminated in a total of 30 years, both Active Duty and Reserve. He retired from the US Navy Seabee Reserves in 1993 as a Master Chief Petty Officer.
As a youth he was a member of the local Boy Scout Troop until it disbanded, the 4-H Club, and the Luther League. He was a life-long member of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Reinerton, PA, where he taught Sunday School, served on Church Council for more than 24 years, served as Sunday School Superintendent, served as a Communion Assistant, and in various other capacities. He was a member of the cast of the annual Madrigal Dinner Pageant for its total run of 26 years and was cast in the role of "First Lord." He served on the District Council of the Schuylkill Mission District of the LCA as well as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Council of the LCA. He was a voting delegate to the Constitutional Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
His interests other than farming, the military, and his and Carol's big family, were visiting historical sites particular to Pennsylvania history and those having to do with the War Between the States. Whenever the opportunity permitted, he and Carol would take a road trip to a historical site to spend a day or a weekend exploring. He was also a member of the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association and shared his Vietnam experiences with the Association Members at their annual reunions.
George was a joyful personality who shared that joy with all who knew and loved him. If you met George on any given day, you were sure to feel better, for he had a kind, and fun-loving spirit that was readily shared. He was dearly loved by his brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, and his and Carol's extended family. He will be sorely missed by all.
Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Muir, PA with military honors at a date to be scheduled at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of his Life will also be scheduled at a future date. Memorials in honor of George, may be made to the Tower Porter Ambulance Association, PO Box 33, Tower City, PA 17980 or St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1931 Wiconisco St, Reinerton, PA., 17980.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
----------------------------------------------