Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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He was a faithful follower of Jesus, an incredible dad, and a light to all who met him until his last breath on earth and no doubt heard the words “Well done good and faithful servant” upon entering his eternal home.
Born in Allentown, on February 16, 1944, a son of Gladys (Yiehl) Ott, of Schuylkill Haven and the late Clarence Ott.
He was the widower of Lynne C. (Baldwin) Ott.
Randy was a graduate of Penn State University and then attended the former Philadelphia College of Bible. He was ordained with the Evangelical Free Church of America in 1980. He was the Pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church, Cressona for 46 years.
He lived out his love for the Lord through a life lived in joyful service to others. In addition to serving the church he loved, Randy was very involved with various athletic teams. He volunteered with the Cressona Little League for 19 years, the Blue Mountain and Schuylkill Haven High School athletic programs, including baseball, soccer and basketball, hospice and local nursing homes and was the coach of the Cressona Cougars, Church league softball team. For the past 5 years, he was a coach to one of his grandsons in the Pine Grove Little League baseball program. He also traveled internationally with the Sports and Cultural Exchange International.
In addition to his mother, Randy is survived by his sons Joshua Ott husband of Jennifer, Pine Grove, Matthew Ott husband of Jamie, Mohrsville and Luke Ott husband of Kimberly, Pottsville; his beloved grandchildren Taylor, Riley, Dylan and Bodhi; and a brother Dennis Ott husband of Linda, Arizona.
Randy is preceded in death by his wife Lynne and his son Caleb.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at the Schuylkill Haven High School Zwerling Auditorium on Saturday, October 23rd at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor and EFCA District Superintendent Cedrick Brown officiating.
A visitation will be held prior from 8:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the Zwerling Auditorium.
Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Sport X Change, PO Box 710, West Palm Beach, FL 33402, or Grace Free Church, 101 Graeff St., Cressona, PA 17929.
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Born in Frackville she was a daughter of the late Michael and Margaret Solan Bruchak. She had been employed as a secretary for Pennsylvania DEP in Mine Safety until her retirement.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Ukranian Catholic Church, Maizeville.
She was a graduate of the former Frackville High School class of 1943. Helen was a former member of the Frackville Women’s Club and past president of the Easter Seals Society of Schuylkill County.
She will always be remembered as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband Mitchell in 1986, her infant daughter Michelle Renee, two brothers; Andrew and Michael Bruchak, three sisters; Anna Yatcilla, Sue Pascavage and Mae Mallick also by her son-in-law Charles “Chuck” Kiehl.
Helen is survived by her daughter Anne Kiehl, with whom she lived in her later years in Fountain Springs, two grandchildren , whom she adored, Michael Kiehl and his companion Michaelene Panzarella, Fountain Springs and Amy wife of Carl Denchy, Orwigsburg.
Per Helen’s wishes viewing, services and interment will be at the convenience of her family
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Ray was born in West Brunswick Township, on May 10, 1933, a son of the late Mamie (Faust) and Charles C.Heiser.
He was the widower of Irene C. (Bishop) Heiser 1977. He was also preceded by his Companion of 40 years, Kay Kriner in 2019.
Ray was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School, Class of 1951.
He served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War.
Ray was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ Orwigsburg, the Orwigsburg Lions Club, Lodge # 138 F&AM, The Shiner’s, Tall Cedars, High Twelve, American Legion (color guard), VFW, and the Orwigsburg Racing Association (ORA).
For many years Ray and his brother Arlin operated several businesses in Orwigsburg including Heiser’s Food Market on East Independence Street, Heiser’s True Value Hardware, which is now Heiser’s ACE Hardware, and the RCJ Chip n Putt Golf Course.
Ray is survived by his daughter, Ann Marie Heiser, MD; four sons Randy Heiser, husband of Sherry, of FL; Charles Heiser, of Philadelphia; Joseph Heiser, of Orwigsburg and Ray P. Heiser, husband of Jennifer, of Orwigsburg.
Ray is also survived by his grandchildren Ryan Heiser, Jeffrey Heiser, Steven Heiser, Brennan Heiser, and Adam Heiser
He was preceded in death by his brother Arlin Heiser and Sister Cleo Smith.
Ray was an ardent follower of local and national stock car racing. Enjoying many hours of viewing at various racetracks and watching on television. Snowmobiling, motorcycletrips on country roads, and 4 wheeling with friends filled many Sunday afternoons. Later in life Ray and Kay participated in antique car shows and traveling with the Shiners on many vacations. Ray also traveled 86 times to Philadelphia Shiners Hospitalfrom Orwigsburg to provide free transportation to children in need of medical treatment.
There will be a Religious Service at 7:00 PM at the Hamilton- Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg on Sunday October 17, 2021. There will bevisitation from 5pm – 6:45 pm
A Masonic Necrology service will begin at: 6:45pm
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to fight Alzheimer’s disease.
A private family Interment Service will be held at St. Johns UCC Cemetery Orwigsburg.
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Born in Reading on April 4, 2001, he was the beloved son of Robyne L. Faust, Deer Lake.
TJ was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School, Class of 2020. Following graduation, he was employee by New Enterprise Stone & Lime where he was a dedicated employee on a paving crew, eager to learn and advance his career.
TJ was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing year round with his friends and thoroughly loved hunting with his grandfather and brother. In addition to his love for the outdoors, he was a member of the Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company, serving as a volunteer for six years.
In addition to his mother, TJ is survived by his two younger sisters, Laura and Anna Laughlin; his brother Tyler Faust, husband of Jessica. He is also survived by his maternal grandparents Bill & Judy Faust; aunt Kelly Horoschak, wife of Russ; cousins Averee & Kloee.
TJ was loved and cherished by many, especially those who were lucky enough to see all the facets of TJ’s personality. From the goofy jokester planning his next plot to torment his sisters; to the young and hardworking man we’ve all become so proud of, ambitious to get to work, to learn, and to support the goals he had set for himself in life; to the normal twenty-year old living his best life.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, October 15th at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc located at 116 South Liberty Street, Orwigsburg, PA 17961.
A memorial gathering will begin at 4:00 PM until the time of service in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Deer Lake Fire Company, 1 Ash Rd., Orwigsburg, PA 17961.
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Born Thursday, June 24, 1965 in Allentown the son of the late Earl N., and Pansy (Bollinger) Heffelfinger.
Surviving are; his beloved wife of 13 years, Angela (Reinhart) Heffelfinger; sons, Michael A. Heffelfinger, III and his fiancée Desiree Dunbar, Dereke Rausch, James Bramich, Johnathan Heffelfinger and his wife Angelica and Kevin Ahner; brothers, Ricky Heffellfinger and his wife Michele and Ronald Heffelfinger and his wife Jean; grand children, Ryleigh, Benjamin, Kolton, Miranda, Jesselyn, Savannah. Many nieces and nephews also survive Michael.
Michael had worked for Hope's Towing of Tamaqua for 18 years. He was a car aficionado. Michael enjoyed building model cars, and trucks; however, his pride and joy was his 1995 Mustang which he was restoring. Angela and Michael were members of the JukeBox Cruisers. They both like cursing at events, and spending time with friends. Michael adored his six grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
A Celebration of Michael's Life will be held on Friday October 15, 2021 at 10 o'clock AM at Odd Fellows Cemetery Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
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She was born on Thursday, September 20, 1923, in Sacramento, a daughter of the late Gurney W Smeltz and the late Gabriella (Wiest) Smeltz.
She was a 1941 graduate of the former Hubley Twp High School and a graduate of Empire Beauty School, Pottsville.
Mary was a self employed beautician, prior to her retirement.
She was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Sacramento..
Mary enjoyed homemaking, baking, and spending time with her family..
Her husband, William H Bowman, passed away in 2014. She was also preceded in death by her parents; by a son, Thomas L Bowman; and a sister, Anna Smith.
She is survived by two sons, Gerald W Bowman and his wife Christine of Valley View, and Ned A Bowman of Tremont; three granddaughters, Jill Jordan of Cary, NC, Lacy Adams of Berrysburg, and Kelly Klinger of Palmyra; and six great grandchildren.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Burial will be in St. Paul's Cemetery, Sacramento.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.
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Thomas G. (Tally) Talerico
Tom completed his Ultra Marathon through life on October 9, 2021.
Born and raised in Shenandoah, Pa in 1947, he was the only son of the late Joseph and Eleanor (Rusin) Talerico.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Jo Talerico.
He was the husband of Geraldine (Geri) Bindi Talerico. In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Jeffrey (Lisa) Talerico and Grandson Enzo Thomas Charles of San Diego and Greg Talerico of Fort Lauderdale. He is also survived by his sister Joan Hanosek, as well as brother-in law and sister-in-law Ed and Gloria Gwiazdowski along with thier children, Eric (Carol) Gwiazdowski, Brian (Maria) Gwiazdowski and sons. Nephews - Joseph (Carey) Hanosek, James Hanosek, and John (Jeannne) Hanosek and great Nieces and Nephews.
Tally was a graduate of Saint Casimir’s Grade School, Shenandoah Catholic High School (‘66) and Penn State (‘68) with an Associate Degree in Drafting and Design Tech. While a Shenandoah Catholic Mighty Atom, Tally earned Varsity Letters Freshman through Senior years in Football, Basketball and Baseball. He was considered one of the best catchers in the region throughout his 10-year baseball career, spanning Little League, Babe Ruth, High School and Legion. He was a member of Shenandoah’s only Legion Championship Team, The 1966 A.P. Damato Post Team, as Catcher/Third baseman.
Prior to his retirement in 2003, he was employed by The State of Pennsylvania for 35 years as an Engineer Tech/Construction Supervisor. He was also a proud 3rd Generation owner/operator of Talerico Shoe Repair Shop in Shenandoah, Pa until its closing.
Tally was also well known throughout the running community for his dedication to the sport. Since the beginning of the “running boom” of the early 1980’s, Tally finished every Marathon (26.2 miles) and road race he entered, with a personal best of 3 hours 20 minutes in the marathon. He was one of the “Founding Fathers” of the Shenandoah Coal Craker 10K road race. He was proud of the distinction of being the only runner to have run all 38 races through 2018. He is also remembered for resurrecting the Cross-Country Program at Cardinal Brennan Highschool in 1990 as well as implementing a Track and Field Program despite the high school not having Track and Field Facilities.
Tom was instrumental in preserving Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church’s yearly procession honoring The Blessed Mother, even after the church’s closing in 2014. He held memberships in the Sons of Italy (Girardville Chapter), Flights Running Club, Penn State Alumni Association and was a Lifetime Member of The Shenandoah Heights Fire Company.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, October 15th from 8 to 9:45am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am in Divine Mercy Parish -Sacred Worship Site- St. Casimir’s, 229 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah, Pa with Msgr. Ronald Bocian officiating. Burial will follow in the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
Contributions in Tom’s memory may be to: Hillside SPCA, 5 SPCA Road, Pottsville, Pa 17901
To offer condolences, please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com
“So long... I’ve Enjoyed My Run Through Life!”
~Tally
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Survivors
Husband: Ricky Mills, married 44 years
Son: Rickey and his wife Terese’, Pottsville
Son: Christopher Mills and his wife Kelly, Pottsville
Daughter: Shawna wife of Michael Budich, Douglasville
Sister: Connie Williams, Upper Darby
Sister: Diana wife of Charles Kustan, Cumbola
Sister: Linda wife of Dr. Duane Sibrski D.O., Monhton
Sister: Lori wife of Michael Bizzoco, Sicklerville, N.J.
Brother: Gary Williams, Conshohocken
Five Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews
Relatives and friends will be invited to a Celebration of Roses Life in the Spring of 2022. Memorials may be made to the Hillside S.P.C.A, Hillside Road, Pottsville, PA 17901. Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of arrangements.
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