Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Andrew C. (Andy) Rarick, 51, of Chambersburg, passed away Wednesday, September 22nd, at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Hazleton, with his sisters by his side.
Andy was born in Pottsville, on November 7, 1969, a son of Carl L. Rarick, of Schuylkill Haven, and the late Ethel M. (Mengel) Rarick.
Andy was a 1988 Graduate of Blue Mountain High School and graduated in 1993 from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science with his Masters Degree. He was a member of Alpha Zeta Omega and DeMolay, Early Masonic Lodge.
He worked as a Pharmacist and enjoyed hunting, traveling, casinos and spending time with family, especially his nieces and nephews
In addition to his father Carl, Andy is survived by two sisters, Suzanne, wife of Joseph Terrey, of Orwigsburg, and Jody, wife of Kevin Bensinger, of Schuylkill Haven.
He is also survived by his nieces & nephews Derrek Thomas, Megan Lenig; Jacob, Kayla, Lexi and Miles Bensinger.
In addition to his mother Ethel, Andy was predeceased by an infant brother.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, September 29th at Hamilton - Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg. A Memorial gathering will begin at 11:00 AM.
Interment at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Inc. Schuylkill Haven will follow services.
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Regina was the daughter of the late Wincenty and Jadwiga (Sosnowski) Sielicki.
She attended St. Casimir Parish School and graduated from J.W. Cooper High School in 1949.
Regina was well known in the Shenandoah area. She was a bookkeeper for the former Siswein Furniture store. She later became an employee of Bolich and Burke Insurance and became its president/owner.
She served the community as the treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce and was co-chair of the annual Shenandoah Christmas lighting program. She also served as the secretary-treasurer of Shenandoah’s Quasquicentennial celebration. Regina was a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens as well as the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society. She was the first woman elected to serve as a Supervisor for West Mahanoy Township. Mrs. Kurtz was recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an individual contributing to the betterment of her community.
Regina was a member of St. Casimir Church, now Divine Mercy Parish. She was a member of the Polish Ladies’ Guild and served many fundraising activities.
She is survived by two daughters, Regina Huss (Frank) and Karen Krol (Dr. Ronald); five grandchildren; great grandchildren; a niece and several nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents, Regina was pre-deceased by her husband, Adam J. Kurtz; their son, Attorney Robert A. Kurtz; and her sisters, Dorothy Wawro and Stella Ashfield.
Funeral services will be private. Those wishing to remember Mrs. Kurtz are asked to make donations in her memory to Divine Mercy Parish, 108 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah PA 17976.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Orwin, May 1, 1935, a daughter of the late William and Ida Willard Hoffman.
She was a 1953 graduate of the former Porter Township High School. Ruby will be remembered for her love for her family and babysitting countless children over the years.
Ruby was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Orwin. She had a great love for all kinds of animals, and could often be found feeding the strays at her home. She enjoyed playing Bingo, cards, word games, watching NASCAR and the Pittsburg Steelers.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two husbands, William Strauser, 1964 and Robert Kreiser, 2018, four sisters; Ellen Morgan, Mary Alice Hoffman, Shirley Chubb and Ruth Moyer.
Surviving are her four children, Lori Rabuck and husband Mark, Tower City; Brian Strauser and wife Elsie, Pine Grove; Robert Kreiser, Jr., Orwin and Carol Stoneroad and husband Randy, Joliett. Four grandchildren, Brad, Ryan, Candie and Daulton; eight great grandchildren; one sister Eva Moyer, Jonestown. Nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc., Tower City. Burial will be in the St. Peter's Cemetery, Orwin. Viewing will be from 12 noon to 1:00 pm at the chapel. Memorial donations in Ruby's name can be made the Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville. PA 17901.
To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
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Leroy L. May, 63 of Ashland passed away Wednesday, Sept. 22,2021 at his home in Ashland.
Born in Ashland November 15,1957 the son of the late Jack and Yavanne (Schlorff) May. He worked for many years for Wolfgang Hauling and later Ashland Shirt Factory in Ashland as a material examiner until retirement. He graduated from North Schuylkill High School, attended the Lavelle Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Surviving are his wife Gail ( Shetter ) May of Ashland. Brother and sister survive: Cindy May, Minersville,PA and Garey husband of Katie May of Maryland. Nieces, Nephews and Cousins survive.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 28,2021 at 11:00 AM from the Lavelle Church of the Nazarene, Lavelle, PA. Rev. Jeremy Smallwood officiating. Interment in Sunnyside Cemetery, Lavelle,PA.
A viewing will be held Tuesday 9:30-11:00 AM from the Church in Lavelle.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc., Ashland. Charles Heizenroth III, Supervisor is in charge of arrangements.
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Anna F. Kryston, 97, formerly of Branch Twp., passed away Tuesday evening at the Laurel Center, Hamburg, Pa.
Born in Ashland, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Kathryn Quinn Terleckas.
She was a 1939 graduate of the former Reilly Twp. High School. She was an LPN for over 40 years at the former Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville. She was a member of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, and St. Matthew’s Church of Holy Family Parish, Minersville
Anna loved to shop and order from QVC. She baked the best Apple pies and home made pierogies. She loved and cherished time with her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Felix in 1988; a daughter, Antoinette Murphy; 2 brothers, Thomas and Joseph and 7 sisters, Josephine, Julia, Kathryn, Anna, Rose, Maggie and Magdalin.
She is survived by a son Walter Kryston and his wife Ann Marie, Branch Twp., a daughter, Julianne Cooper and her husband Harold, Deer Lake; 4 grandchildren, Erin Murphy, Kerry Ang, Kyle Kryston and Kendall Kunkel; 2 great grandchildren, Liam and Walker; nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held Monday Morning at 10AM from the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, 328 Sunbury St., Minersville. Relatives and friends can call at the Funeral Home on Monday morning from 8AM until the time of the service. Attendees are asked to follow CDC and PADOH guidelines. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus #1 Cemetery, Llewellyn.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer remembrances of Anna be in the form of contributions to the Minersville Public Library, 220 S. 4th St. Minersville, Pa. 17954. Contributions will also be accepted at the Funeral Home. To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Anna’s memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com.
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Margaret Ann Schuettler, 70, of Tremont, formerly of Stein’s Mill, Branch Township, passed away on Wednesday at St. Luke’s University Hospital - Bethlehem.
Born in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Helen Heffner Wetzel. She was a 1970 graduate of Minersville Area High School. She was the longtime secretary for Friedens Lutheran Church, Steins Mill, where she was also a member.
She had been a Girl Scout leader, and was a founding member of the CB Channel 12 Lollipoppers Club.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Gerald Schuettler, and a great nephew, Edward D. Hossler III, both in 2020.
Margaret Ann is survived by two daughters, Amanda Schuettler (companion, Carlos Ballester), Minersville, and Victoria Huntzinger (spouse, Kyle), Minersville; five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Anela, Kayleigh, Dayvian and Keyarah. She is also survived by her sister, Dawn Hossler (spouse, Edward), Tremont; nieces and nephews.
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Born at the former Ashland State Hospital, Fountain Springs, he was the son of the late Burd F. and Anna Marie Lasser Wentzel Sr.
He was a graduate of the North Schuylkill High School, class of 1978, and was employed 42 years at the Tri State Envelope factory, Ashland, attaining the position of cutting room supervisor. Burd was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Parish, Ashland.
He was a member of the Washington Fire Company, and the Fire Police, both of Ashland. Preceding him in death was a sister, Judith Kehler, passing in December 2010.
Survivors
Wife: Sandra Ramer Wentzel, married 40 years
Daughter: Angela Wentzel, Ashland
Daughter: Elizabeth Wentzel, Ashland
Daughter: Briana Wentzel, Ashland
Aunt: Alice Madden, Allentown
Aunt: Lavina Lasser, Blairsville
Grandchildren: Autumn and Taylor Houser
Nieces, Nephews and Cousins
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial, September 28, 2021, at 11 AM, in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 11th and Walnut Streets, Ashland. Celebrant will be Rev. Brian M. Miller, pastor. A viewing will be begin at 10 AM in the church until Mass. Memorials may be made to the Washington Fire Company, 1307 Centre St., Ashland, PA., 17901. Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com.
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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. Born in Pottsville, January 10, 1946, he was the son of the late John and Dorthea Knapp Haluska. He attended Pottsville High School, and was employed as a truck driver for Koppenheffer Trucking Company of Reading, until his retirement. Jim was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville. He enjoyed watching television shows such as “Gomer Pyle” and “How Its Made”. He loved visiting historical sites, such as Gettysburg, and museums. Preceding him in death was his brother, John O. Haluska.
Survivors
Wife: Shirley Krobert Haluska, married 46 years
Son: James A. Haluska Jr., Pottsville
Sister: Patricia Haluska, Pottsville
Nieces and Nephews
Funeral services are private. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St., Pottsville, PA 17901, or the St. Clair Historical Society, P.O. Box 187, St. Clair, PA 17970.
Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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