Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Centre County, PA, she was a daughter of the late Leslie Joseph and Mary Kathryn (Smith) Deitrich.
Shirley graduated Walker Township High School in 1949 and attended Lock Haven State Teachers College prior to her marriage to Rev. Richard William Johnson in Hublersburg, PA.
During Shirley and Richards Christian Ministry, they served churches in Hublersburg, Strawberry Ridge, Gladeland, Phoenixville, Pine Grove, Cressona, and Ravine, PA. They also served at Lovettsville, Brunswick United Church of Christ in Virginia.
Not only was Shirley a homemaker to 4 children, but was a Day Care Teacher and Area Minister of Christian Education to the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ Church. Shirley also was a Church Education Assistant to St. John's UCC in Schuylkill Haven and Schuylkill County Resource Center Coordinator.
After Shirley and Richard retired from Christian Church Leadership, they continued supporting the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference UCC Churches as Interim Supply Ministers. Shirley was Richard's driver for these Ministries due to Richard's loss of sight.
Shirley had a great love of Art which she turned into a ministry of its own. She handmade Greeting Cards for various organizations/individuals, including Nursing Homes, Shut-in Elders, Orphanages and also Deployed Military Units. These personalized cards were left blank to allow for use by people unable to buy or obtain cards on their own. ( A special Thank You goes out to her nephew Jerry for his continued support in this program).
In her later years, Shirley was active with her Stamping Club as she always enjoyed the fellowship of the group. She also enjoyed talking to her friend Edie Boe and Kay Yoder, who made her smile and laugh.
Shirley was an avid gardener and enjoyed camping in her younger years. She raised many pets and is going to be missed by her dog Mickey, who was always by her side.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 62 years, Rev. Richard William Johnson; two brothers, Leslie and Ray Deitrich and two sisters, Lois Miele and Norma Barnes.
Surviving are her children, a daughter Kathy (Kit) and husband Tom Murray of Worchester, MA; three sons, Lynn (Jay), her caregiver, of Pine Grove, Wayne and wife Sheila of Lusby, MD, Gary and wife Valerie of Enola; 5 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter; two brothers, Ned and his companion Shirley, Donald and his wife Dollie; three sisters, Phyllis, Marlene and her husband Kay, and Judy; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 277 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, PA 17963 in her 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
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Harold L Lyons, 78, of Broad Street, Hegins, passed away Thursday, August 5, 2021 at his home.
He was born on January 25, 1943, in Aiken, a son of the late Harold P Lyons and the late Thelma I (Frantz) Lyons.
Harold was a truck driver for Mercer Transportation, Louisville KY, retiring in 2008.
He was a member of F&AM Lodge 797 Valley View.
In addition to his parents, Harold was preceded in death by his brothers Clifford, Harvey, and Wayne Lyons; and a step daughter, Krissy.
He is survived by his wife Stephanie M (Klein) Lyons, to whom he was married for 27 years. Also surviving are three sons, Harold L Lyons, Jr of Hughesville, Kenneth Lyons of Los Angeles, CA; James Lyons of Kissimmee, FL; two daughters, Barbara Miller of Columbus, OH; Lori Bragg of Bangor, ME; three step sons, Francis Bixler of Lykens, Michael Robbins of Kansas, John Robbins; three step daughters, Kyra Snell of Ohio, Stacy Smith of Williamstown, Sherry Hoffman of Dayton; eleven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren.
Services will be held Saturday August 21 at 2 P.M. at Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, with Rev. Dr. Carrie Stine, Geisinger Hospice Chaplain, officiating.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hillside SPCA, 51 SPCA Road Pottsville, PA 17901
Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.
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