Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Skook News Obituaries: September 21st, 2021

        

Skook News Obituaries: September 21st, 2021

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.

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Rayna Dimitrova Tafradjieva Popova
, of Hometown, PA and formerly of Bulgaria, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Monday, September 20, 2021, at home. She was the wife of the late Alexander Vasilev Popov who passed away on September 27, 1995. 

Born in Mirkovo, Bulgaria on August 13, 1941, Rayna was a daughter of the late Dimitar Tafradjiev and Alexandra Stoikova Liseva Tafradjieva. She belonged to the New Life Assembly of God Church, Tamaqua, PA. Rayna was a devout wife and loving mother, with her love and care she touched many people. She was full of strengths and goodness; always loving and supportive, she sacrificed so much to make sure we had everything we could ever need. Rayna will be remembered for her unconditional love, support, and encouragement - a great example of Christ’s love. She will continue to live in our lives by the prayers that she prayed for us for our lives to be fuller and richer. “Because I live, you will live also.” John 14:19. 

She is survived by daughter, Sashka Peterson and her husband James with whom Rayna lived; son, Vasie Popov and daughter-in-law, Tzvetelina Popova; granddaughter, Alexandra Popova; grandson, Ivaylo Popov; and sister, Hristina Laleva. 

Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, September 24, 2021, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua with The Rev. Ed Noftz officiating. 

Interment in Sky View Memorial Park, Hometown will follow the services. Call 10-11 AM on Friday at the funeral home. COVID-19 protocols will be followed. 

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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Jack E. Weaver, Sr.
, 91, of Friedensburg, passed away Monday, September 20th, at home.

Born in Landingville on August 2, 1930, a son of the late Salem W. & Minnie (Shipe) Weaver.

His wife of 54 years, Diana R. (Wise) Weaver, preceded him in death on January 18, 2019.

In addition to his parents & wife, Jack is also preceded in death by his sons: Jack E. Weaver, Jr., & Randy Weaver, a grandson, Anthony Dagastino, and siblings: Charles, Laura, Ray, & Martin Weaver, Alberta Hummel, Arlene Fekette and Phyllis Greiner.

He served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War.

Jack had retired from Dana Corp. in 1985 after 30 years of employment.

He is survived by his children, Harold W. Weaver, & wife, Kathy, Schuylkill Haven, Janice J. Dagastino, widow of Robert, Minersville, Michael A. Weaver & wife, Karen, Shoemakersville, & Debbie D. Weaver, Schuylkill Haven. He is also survived by grandchildren: McKellah N. Potts and husband Michael & Mauriana R. Deegan, Kim, Michelle, Tiffany, Randy, Jared, & Meghan Weaver, & Tyler Neidlinger; as well as siblings Shirley Fessler, widow of Donald, Schuylkill Haven and Jay Weaver & wife, Elaine, Cressona.

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven on Monday with Chaplain Alan Echard officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Interment will be held on Tuesday at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, at 10 a.m. A procession will leave the funeral home in Schuylkill Haven at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Family request donations in Jack's memory to Research Development: American Foundation for the Blind, 1401 S. Clark St., Suite 730, Arlington, VA 22202.

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Michael R. Hughes
, 58, of Pine Hill Dr., Pine Grove, passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 peacefully at home, under Hospice, with his family at his side after a 3-year battle of stage 4 cancer.

Born on September 27, 1962 in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Donald and Karlene Rehrer Hughes.

He was a 1980 graduate of Pine Grove High School and earned a certificate from Hagerstown Community College.

Mike was currently a Pine Grove Jr. High Boys Basketball Coach and statistician for both the Boys and Girls High School Basketball teams. He also worked security with his wife at all Pine Grove School District events. He was previously a little Dutchman football coach, coached his children in soccer, baseball, basketball, and softball, and a travel team coach for both children in soccer and travel baseball team. He loved ALL sports in Pine Grove, especially watching his nephews Cameron and Carter Raudabaugh and their friends.

He was a huge supporter of his wife and her student and professional organizations. He was a regional and state judge for many years with Future Business Leaders of America, and a chaperone on many field trips, dances, and school events.

Mike loved to travel with his family. His favorite places were Hawaii and going on cruises to different islands. He played fast pitch, slow pitch, and modified softball for years with the Crushers. When he wasn't watching Pine Grove sporting events, you could catch him watching any Philadelphia sporting event.

He was a hard worker who would do anything for anyone in the drop of a hat. His pride and joy was his granddaughter Alaina who kept him going.

Mike was a social member of the Pine Grove American Legion and the H. H. & L. Fire Co. #1, Pine Grove.

Preceding him in death were a brother, Gary Hughes and twin sisters, Pamela and Jill Hughes.

Surviving are his high school sweetheart and wife of 32 years, Renee Schaeffer Hughes; a son, Jared Hughes; a daughter, Kelsey and husband Chad Fidler; a granddaughter, Alaina Fidler, all of Pine Grove; sister-in-law Donna and husband Paul Medeiros; a brother-in-law Timothy and wife Christie Schaeffer; nephews and niece, Cameron and Carter Raudabaugh, Matt and Joey Medeiros, Ryan Schaeffer and Amber and husband Jason Antony.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc.,Pine Grove. There will be a visitation on Saturday, September 25, 2021, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at the Funeral Home. A Celebration of Mike's Life will be held after the Memorial Service on Saturday, between Noon and 4:00 P.M. at the Oak Grove Gun Club, intersection of Oak Grove Road and 2 1/2 Mile Rd., Pine Grove. You may feel free to stop in at the Gun Club anytime between those hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to the PGA Boys Basketball Boosters, c/o Pine Grove Area High School, 101 School St. Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 in his memory. On the memo line write In Memory of Michael Hughes.

You may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com

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Nancy Hreshko Brayford
, 78, formerly of Frackville, passed away Friday, September 17, 2021 at Maple Shade Meadows Senior Living, Nesquehoning.

Born in Frackville, April 19, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Mildred (Blickley) Hreshko.

She was a graduate from Immaculate Heart Academy.

Nancy served on the North Schuylkill School Board and was formerly President. She also served on the board of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29. Nancy was a committed homemaker and dedicated to her community assisting with the Frackville Library, Frackville Pool and the Frackville Little League. She was a member of the Mahanoy City Chapter of Zi Zeta Phi women’s sorority. Nancy will be remembered as a dedicated wife, mother and daughter and a caring and wonderful neighbor.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Charles Brayford in 2020, son Patrick Brayford and brother Richard Hreshko.

Surviving are three daughters Amy Brayford and her husband Fran Shukausky of Berwick, Christine Kostura and her husband Ken of Christiansburg VA, Colleen Krupo and her husband Tom of Primrose, two sons Nicholas Brayford and his wife Angie of Butler Twp., Knute Brayford and his wife Denise of Frackville, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Spartan Games c/o North Schuylkill Activity Fund 15 Academy Lane, Ashland, PA 17921.

Burial will be in St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Butler Twp.

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James A. Haluska Sr., 75, of Pine Street, Pottsville, passed away Monday, September 20, 2021, with his family at his side, at his residence. 

 Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, will announce funeral arrangements.

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