Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Leona M. Marcovich, 96, of Biddle Street, Tamaqua, PA died on Monday, June 7, 2021 in Lehighton, PA. She was the wife of the late George Marcovich who died November 27, 1971.
Born in Pottsville, PA, Leona was a daughter of the late Leo and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Noonan. A 1943 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she worked in the garment industry as a sorter, retiring from Tuscarora Sportswear. Leona, a woman of great faith, was a member of The Parish of St. John XXIII. She was an avid game show viewer and bingo player, playing for many years at the Tuscarora Fire Company.
Leona is survived by daughter, Georgene Gallagher and her husband John of Tamaqua; grandchildren, Sonia Pucklavage, Nissa Strmensky, Anne Corvelle, and John Gallagher; great grandchildren, Lily Corvelle, Katie Corvelle, Charles Gallagher, Angelina Gallagher, Nichelle Pucklavage, Tianna Pucklavage, and Gretchen Pucklavage; and several nieces including Judy Kellner.
She was predeceased by daughter, Linda Strmensky in 1987; son-in-law, David Strmensky; grandson, David J. Strmensky; brother, Joseph Noonan; and sisters, Frances Monahan, Rita Brode, and Barbara Baddock.
Services are private at the convenience of the family. Memorials in Leona’s name may be made to The Parish of St. John XXIII, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252 or The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, P.O. Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352.
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 Passaic, New Jersey on September 14, 1920, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Anna (Chabala) Fedora. Having attended the former Coaldale High School, Olga worked on the assembly line at the former Atlas Powder Company in Reynolds from which she retired in 1982 after 40 years of employment with the company. She was a devoted member of St. Mary Russian Orthodox Church in Coaldale. Olga was very involved with family, especially her nephews and nieces. She is survived by sister, Anna Rianhard and her husband William of Washington, North Carolina and several nieces and nephews.
Her sisters, Mary Lutash and Helen Butts, predeceased her.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, June 11, 2021 in St. Mary Russian Orthodox Church, First and Phillips Streets, Coaldale with The Very Rev. James P. Weremedic officiating.
Interment in Sky View Memorial Park, Hometown, PA will follow the service. Call 10-11 AM on Friday in the church. Memorials in Olga’s name may be made to St. Mary Russian Orthodox Church, 217 First Street, Coaldale, PA 18218.
Please be reminded that if you are unvaccinated, masks are requested and if you are fully vaccinated, masks are at your discretion. 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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Marna F. Gilbert, 90, of Pottsville, passed away Monday, June 7th, at her residence.
Born in Ravine, on January 16, 1931, a daughter of the late Minnie (Moyer) and Theodore Mutschler.
She was the wife of James H. Gilbert, Jr., who passed away on March 12, 2016.
She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Summer Hill, Auburn and the Ladies Aux. at the Good Will Hose Co, Cressona, where she ran the kitchen for numerous years.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her siblings Betty Frantz, Frank Mutschler, Patsy Wolfe, Ruth Zerbe, Robert Mutschler, Jean Irene Mutschler, and Joe Mutschler.
Marna is survived by three daughters, Cindy, wife of Jerry Reed, Winfield, Patti, wife of Lamar Freeman, Schuylkill Haven, and Wanda Gilbert wife of Mollie, Maui, Hawaii; a son, Kurt, husband of Karen Gilbert, Schuylkill Haven; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and her dog Ruffles.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Marna and Jim will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, June 19th at Beckville Fish and Game Protective Association, Gun Club Road, Pottsville. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 3 pm until the time of the service at the gun club. All guests are welcome to attend a picnic following the service.
Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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Born in Pottsville on April 5, 1968, he was a son of Martin Schickram, of Molino, and the late Florence (Jones) Peters.
He was the husband of Louise (Kremer) Schickram. The couple would have celebrated 25 years of marriage this September.
He worked as a cutter for a local textile factory; and he was also employed as a truck driver.
In addition to his mother, Joel is also preceded in death by his step-father, Jeff Peters, step-mother, Gladys Schickram, step-son, Gary Whalen, and feline companion, Clyde.
In addition to his father and wife, Joel is also survived by three daughters: Kira Smith, wife of Justin, of Temple; Jennifer Schickram, wife of Brad Dechert, of Jonestown; and Ashley Schickram, of Bethlehem, and a son, Joel O. F. Schickram, husband of Katrina, of Schuylkill Haven. He is also survived by a step-son, Keith Whalen & wife, Christine, Schuylkill Haven, and seven grandchildren: Zoe Jones, Cuyler Whalen, Rylan, Maddie, & Emily Dechert, Jamison, & Carter Smith, & Solomon Bonzi.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted by Pastor Randy Ott at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 12th at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc. in Schuylkill Haven. A visitation will be held from 9:30 AMuntil the time of service at the funeral home.
Interment will be privately held.
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Born in Ashland, she was a daughter of Miriam Smith Hummel, Lavelle and the late Glenn Hummel.
Brenda worked as a long term care LPN at the former Ashland State Hospital and St. Catherine’s Medical Center until its closure. She had a passion for nursing and truly cared for every one of her patients.
In addition to her mother Miriam, she is survived by her daughter Stacy Llewellyn, Wapwallopen; her two sons: Jason Kerstetter, Shenandoah and Nicholas Llewellyn, Gordon; her sister Susan Auld, Gordon; her loving grandchildren who she adored, Kalei McCourt, Emerson Llewellyn and Ryder Kerstetter.
Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Mahanoy Plane, he was a son of the late James and Elizabeth Koppenhaver McCann. He worked as a lathe operator for Johns-Manville.
Bob was a United States Navy Veteran having served during World War II. He was a member of the VFW Post 2290 and the American Legion Post 304, both of Manville.
Bob enjoyed traveling especially to Las Vegas and Atlantic City and loved going to the horse track.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Mary English McCann; his sons: Gregory McCann and Robert F. McCann; his brothers: Carl, Gerald, Peter, James, and Fred McCann; his sisters: Grace Haberle and Mary Collins.
Bob is survived by his son James and his wife Kristen McCann, Hillsborough along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held for both Robert and his son Robert F. McCann on Tuesday June 15th at 10:30 am from the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville with Fr. Brian Miller officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday morning from 9:30 am until the time of service. Interment with military honors will be held at 1 pm at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Ashland, he was a son of the late Robert G. and Mary English McCann. He worked as a diesel mechanic for New Jersey American Water until his retirement.
Funeral services will be held for both Robert and his father Robert G. McCann on Tuesday June 15th at 10:30 am from the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville with Fr. Brian Miller officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday morning from 9:30 am until the time of service. Interment will be held in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Frackville following the service.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Shenandoah on February 12, 1925, she was a daughter of the late John and Mary (Shatus) Rutkowski.
She was a member of the former Saint George Church, Shenandoah.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her daughter, Mary (Hardy) Warner; her son, William Hardy, Jr.; three sisters, Mary Rutkowski, Anna Valento and Constance Skarupski; and one brother, John Rutkowski.
Surviving are her sister, Catherine Boycheck of Baltimore, Maryland; nieces, nephews and their families.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday morning, June 12, 2021 at 11:00 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 W. Cherry Street, Shenandoah with Rev. James Koury as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Old St. George Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held on Saturday morning from 8:00 am until 10:30 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. A religious service will be held at the funeral home at 10:15 am.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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Donna was born in Frankfurt, Germany on November 17, 1956, a daughter of the late Ira May (Farne) Foster and Charles L. Foster, Sr.
Donna was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School class of 1975. She worked at Heiser’s Hardware and Sylray. Donna was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, and sang in the choir when she was a member of Welcome United Methodist Church in Landingville.
Donna was a very proud Army brat and remembered vividly every place she lived while her father served.
Donna’s fist love in life was her family, who she cared for and adored. She was the biggest fan of any activity they participated in. Donna cherished the companionship of her beloved dogs. She also enjoyed traveling to the shore, camping, music, sports, and fire pits.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister Charlene L. Foster, her brother Charles L. Foster, Jr. and her nephew Zachary C. Foster.
Donna is survived by her two sisters, Nancy L. Foster, Orwigsburg, and Mary C. Daley, Duncott; brother John C. Foster husband of Bonnie, Orwigsburg. Nieces and nephews include Garett Daley, Adam Daley, husband to Victoria, Travis Daley, fiancé of Mallory, William Foster, fiancé of Kim, Corinne Foster, Aaron Foster, and Sarah Foster. She is also survived by seven great nieces and nephews.
Services will be private at Donna’s request. Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven has been entrusted with the services. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com
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He was born in Pottsville, on October 17, 1947, a son of the late Julia (Pernick) and Robert Bowers. He was the husband of Sherri L (Klemas) Bowers.
Bob was a 1965 Graduate of Cass Township High School where he excelled in football and baseball. Upon graduating he entered into the US Army and upon completion, worked highway construction for several years before founding R. Bowers Trucking & Excavating and the mining companies BBZ Research, Lone Eagle Coal Company and the Olde Buck Run Coal Company in the Buck Run area where he successfully mined coal for many years before retiring from the mining business. He continued on with R. Bowers Trucking & Excavating where he was affectionately known by his CB handle “Double B”. From the time he was 16 you could always find him behind the wheel of one of his many Corvettes, most in “Bobby Bowers Blue” or turning laps at Big Diamond Speedway in his late model. Bob was one of the hardest working men you’d find and he had a heart of gold. He’d help anyone in need, even if it meant putting himself out to do so. But of all of Bob’s accomplishments in life, he was most proud of and loved his children and grandchildren. From the tee ball days through high school sports, he seldom missed a game or practice, many times coaching teams as well. In 2003, Bob met Sherri who would become not only his wife but a mother and grandmother to his family. Bob loved Sherri with all of his heart and you could instantly see the joy they brought to each others lives. She was his world and he was hers. Bob was more than a great father, grandfather and husband, he was a great person who had countless friends, many lifelong. Bob’s biggest friend was his beloved Yellow Lab “Willie”. There’s no doubt Bob will be missed immensely but the worlds a better place because he was in it.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sherri, sons Jeffrey, husband of Rachael Bowers, Kyle, Dale, and Ryan Motley, two daughters, Kimberly Bowers , and companion Richard Reed and Leah Purcell. He is also survived by grandchildren, Mia, Ava, Chase, Nova, and Myla. All are invited to attend a visitation Thursday with calling hours from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville. Additional visitation Friday morning until 10:30 am. A Requiem Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 11:00 am Friday at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Minersville with Reverend Mark Fesniak officiating. Interment St. Nicholas Parish Cemetery.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations made to The Wounded Warriors Project. https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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