Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Skook News Obituaries: August 3rd, 2021

                                                                                                                                                                                            

Skook News Obituaries:  August 3rd, 2021

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.

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Marie Marlene Kuhn, 81, of Tamaqua, PA died on Monday, August 2, 2021, at home. She was the wife of the late George B. “Pidge” Kuhn who died in 2007. 

Born in Tamaqua on November 4, 1939, Marlene was the daughter of the late Andrew and Rose (Seladonis) Lehatto. A 1957 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she was employed as a teller at the former Trust Company, Tamaqua. A faithful church worshiper, Marlene was a member of The Parish of St. John XXIII and had been a member of the former St. Jerome CWEA. 

She is survived by daughters, Jean Rowan and her husband Robert of Tamaqua, Alicia Murphy of Tamaqua, and Deborah Foster and her husband Dan of Mercer, PA; son, George J. Kuhn of Pottsville, PA; grandchildren, Nicholas Kuhn and his fiancĂ©e Erin Williams, Devin Murphy, Hannah Murphy, Molly Murphy, Jocelynn Kuhn, Mia Kuhn, Adison Foster, Allie Foster, Danny Foster, Sydney Foster, and Delaney Foster; and sister-in-law, Kathryn Lehattto of Tamaqua. 

She was predeceased by brothers, Joseph Lehatto, Paul Lehatto, and Bernard Lehatto and a sister-in-law, Eunice Lehatto. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Monday, August 9, 2021, in St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua with The Rev. Robert T. Finlan officiating. 

Interment in St. Jerome Cemetery, Lombard Street, Tamaqua will follow the mass. Call 6-8 PM on Sunday, August 8 and 9:30-10:30 AM on Monday, August 9 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua. Memorials in Marlene’s name may be made to The Parish of St. John XXIII, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. 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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Michael Swartz, age 67, long time Mahanoy City resident, passed away July 20, 2021 at his home in Pottsville. He was the son of the late Vincent and Helen Swartz . Michael died from a long bout of blood disorders and liver failure. He spent years battling his medical problems at Pottsville and Geisinger Hospitals. 

He was a student at St. Canicus grade school and Marian High School. Michael was a noted local and regional Jazz and Blues saxophonist playing for more than 50 years in Schuylkill County and eastern PA and later touring in the eastern USA. He appeared in 40 cities in PA in various pubs, bars, and cafes as a soloist with bands. He also toured the East coast in Boston, Long Island, Philadelphia and New York Greenwich Village. He was written up in the famous Village Voice five times in the 1980's as a soloist and band leader as an up and coming star. Michael's band "Bag Full of Metaphysicians" produced four full cover albums sold in many major cities. In recent years he appeared locally with the band "Karp-Palina-Swartz" ; they had appeared in Mahanoy City, Pottsville, Shamokin, Frackville and Shenandoah to name a few locations. Currently he was working on forming a new touring band until his health failed him. 

Michael lived with his companion the late Lynn Balasteria from 1985-2015. He is survived by his brother William and his wife Maureen, their two sons Christopher and Jason Swartz, an aunt Evelyn Prep and cousins Victor Prep and Diane Prep Mackniss. 

Arrangements will be announced at a later date. David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.jarrettfuneralhome.com for more information.

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