Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Pottsville, on December 17, 1935, she was a daughter of the late B'shara and Wadia Thomas, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon.
She was a 1953 graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School and a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
Ruth started working at St. Patrick's R.C.C. as a receptionist and through the years took on many roles and responsibilities. She was very dedicated and active in her church to include working as a CCD teacher, coordinating picnics, organizing bus trips, and fundraising for the parish for over 20 years, retiring in 2013.
Ruth considered her greatest accomplishment in life to be raising her 13 children. She was a dedicated mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. Her wisdom, unconditional love and compassion will be sadly missed by all who knew her. In addition to her dedication to family, she enjoyed casino trips, going to New York City Broadway shows and cooking Sunday dinners. Her house was always open and everyone was welcome.
In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Bernard S. Spece, Sr., to whom she was married over 50 years; infant child, Bernard; sisters: Madelon, Cecilia, Louise and Sister Mary Aloysious SSM; brothers: Anthony, John, and Joseph.
Ruth is survived by daughters: Diane Spece-Adams, of Deer Lake; Marsha Spece, of Pottsville; Bernadette Mason, wife of Jeffrey, of Pottsville; Leslie Spece, of Pottsville; Jessica Conway, wife of Kieran, of Orwigsburg; and Cecilia Duffy, of Washington, D.C.; sons: James, Andrew and Matthew, all of Pottsville; Michael, husband of Correen, of Pottsville, Philip, of Schuylkill Haven; Bernard Jr., husband of Paula, of Hegins; and Christopher, of Orwigsburg; 18 grandchildren, 3 great- grandchildren; sister, Anne Callahan, widow of Jack, of Pottsville; several nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.
A Mass Of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 14th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick R.C.C., 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville. A viewing will be held on Monday morning at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, from 9:00 a.m. until the procession will leave for church.
Interment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com.
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Born in Frackville, August 28, 1934, She was a daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Maleska) Harviletz.
She was a member of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, Frackville.
She was preceded in death by her husband John Sedar on Jan. 23, 2020; sisters Anna Petrosky; Elizabeth Harviletz; Julia Cresina; Margaret Riskis; Mary Trynosky; 3 brothers Charles, Michael and George Harviletz.
Surviving are daughter Kayann Phillips and her husband David of Frackville; 2 grandsons Kevin Sedar and his wife Christine of Schuylkill Haven; Dylan Phillips of Frackville; 1 great-granddaughter Dakota Domboski; Sister Sophie Buchspics of Ashland; Nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service will be held Tuesday June 15 at 10:00 AM from Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, 209 South Lehigh Avenue Frackville, PA 17931. The Very Rev Archpriest James Jadick will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Ascension Memorial Fund at the above address. Burial will be in Holy Ascension Orthodox Cemetery, Englewood, Frackville.
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Jason C. Baucum, of Girardville, died Sunday June 6, 2021 at his home. Born in Pottsville June 3, 1971 he was a son of George Baucum of Girardville and the late Miriam (Benjamin) Baucum.He was of the Protestant Faith.
In addition to his father he is survived by to sisters Miriam Baucum of Pottsville; Angelina King of Womelsdorf; 2 Brothers Steven Baucum of Girardville; George Baucum Jr. of Girardville.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Nice-Hart Funeral Home Inc., Frackville, is in charge of arrangements.
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Born Saturday, April 21, 1945 in Flushing, New York, Agnes was the daughter of the late Thomas and Lena (Wilson) Atkinson. She was predeceased by her brother, Jimmy Atkinson.
Surviving are daughter Dawn Valentine and her husband, Scott of McAdoo, PA; 4 grand children; 2 great grandchildren. Agnes also had a brother, Thomas Atkinson.
Agnes graduated from High School in New York. She most recently worked at Burger King and the Donut Connection. She was fond of animals, especially cats. Agnes was proud of all of her grandchildren.
Private arrangements have been entrusted to E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc., 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252, 570-668-2550.
To share a fond memory of Agnes or offer online condolences, please visit www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Born in Washington Twp, Northumberland County, on September 25, 1929, a daughter of the late Ida and Edwin Herb. She was the loving wife of the late Clayton Shade to whom she was married 71 years.
In addition to her husband, June is preceded in death by two of her children, William Shade and Drinda Swab along with siblings, Charlie, Verna, Bertha, Hilda, Alice, Mary, Violet, Lee, Edwin Lee, Carlene, and Preston.
June is survived by a son, Marlin Shade and a daughter, Diane Labenski. She was the loving grandmother to six grandchildren, Gregory, Jason, Angie, Marla, Bronwen, and Ronica along with 10 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two sisters, Minerva Starr and Laura Knorr with whom she spent many days playing cards.
June retired from working in textile factories to take the time to enjoy a vacation or two. In her earlier days, June loved the casino. She never came home empty handed. She spent many days in her flower beds and loved gardening. June quit school at an early age to help care for all her siblings which testifies to her great selflessness and love for her family. She always did for her children and grandchildren and showed her support and encouragement in all they did.
Funeral services will be private at the request of June and family.
Buffington Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of the arrangements.
For more information or to leave condolences, visit buffingtonreed.com
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