Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Jean was the fifth of six children. She was a lifelong member of the Welsh First Baptist Church on Oak St. in Shenandoah until its closing in 2011. Jean spent her childhood in the 1st Ward on Union St. playing all sorts of games with the neighborhood kids and roller skating over bumpy brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets. She regaled her children and grandchildren with many such stories of a bygone era.
A graduate of J.W. Cooper High School, Class of 1949, Jean went to work at Ben Jones Drug Store. Later the local Nash car franchisee recruited her to his dealership and then Shen Heights Television hired her as the office manager. She coined the term “atmospheric conditions” in reference to the occasional fuzziness of the 3 channels available to customers in the infancy of cable television.
In 1953, Jean met her future husband, Ted Twardzik. Many of their date nights revolved around helping Ted in his new business, Mrs. T’s Pierogies. In August of 1956 Jean became Mrs. Ted Twardzik (“Mrs T.”) and the couple moved to Ted’s homestead on North Main St. She became a full time, stay-at-home-mother and homemaker as well as “social director” with their “old gang” of close friends. There she and Ted raised their three sons, Ted, Jr., Tim, and Tom. Jean became Den Mother to the Cub Scouts, caretaker for the altar servers at St. Casimir’s Church across the alley, and baseball and football retriever for the school’s playground. She also served as Medical Director for the Shenandoah Street Hockey League offering ice, bandages and support for the rough and tumble league. Jean and Ted were always there for their sons attending each Little League baseball game, cross country race, basketball game or track meet bringing along blankets and jackets for the runners who always thought it was warmer in Shenandoah than it was.
Jean will be remembered for her many talents. She was a terrific storyteller, she loved a good joke and had one for every occasion. She would talk to anyone, anywhere, about anything including telemarketers who would thank her for listening even when they did not close a sale. She always served lunch with her go-to of hotdogs and a can of soup, to family or college presidents alike. She could make a whole new meal out of leftovers, loved games and was a fabulous bridge partner and champion Rummikub player. She remembered every song from her childhood and sang them to everyone. Her wisdom was passed onto her grandchildren in the form of witticisms.
“The more you have the more you have to take care of… and if you don’t take care of what you have; you won’t have anything.” And perhaps her most memorable line: “You can’t put two pounds of “stuff” in a one pound bag.”
In 1992 after many years in the frozen food business, Ted and Jean decided to thaw out in Florida and settled in Siesta Key while still “vacationing” in Shenandoah during the summer and holidays. They cared deeply about their community of Shenandoah and respective churches. Among their many contributions to the community was the donation of the Shenandoah Historical Society headquarters that serves to preserve and celebrate the interesting past of “The Only Wild West Town In The East”.
Jean is now reunited in Heaven with her “sweetheart” husband Ted and her siblings Betty Kieres and David, Irene, & Owen Roberts. We are pretty sure she is playing (and winning) Rummikub with her best friend Izzy Tancredi around the pool.
Surviving Jean are her sister Agnes Hopkins, Shenandoah; and Jean’s three sons: Ted, Jr. (& Audrey), Center Valley; Tim (& Carol), Frackville; and Tom (& Pam), Shenandoah; and five grandsons: Adam, Eric (& Stephanie), Ryan, Tommy and Nick; nieces and nephews. (She also welcomed Tim & Carol’s Polish exchange students, Anna and Magda, as her “granddaughters”.)
Family and friends may call on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at St Casimir’s Church, 229 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah from 9 am. to 11:30 am followed by a Prayer and Scripture Service of Death and Resurrection given by her nephew Rev. David Roberts at 11:30 am.
Expressions of sympathy in Jean’s name can be made to the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, 201 S. Main Street, PO Box 327, Shenandoah, PA 17976.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements. To leave a condolence for Jean’s family, please sign the guestbook below.
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Born in Pottsville, Oct. 5, 1949, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Margaret (Laurie) Kapusta.
Jean was owner of Jean’s Beauty Salon in Saint Clair until 2000.
Surviving are her devoted husband of 41 years, Leo Ulicny; three daughters, Tammy Bowers and her husband, Tony, of Saint Clair, Amanda Ulicny, of Saint Clair, and Kimberly Bowers, of Saint Clair; four grandchildren, Rhiana Foley, Emma, T.J. Bowers and Brantley Bowers, who all knew her as momo; and a sister, Peg Garland, of Pottsville. She was a very loving wife, mother and momo who will be greatly missed.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148.
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Born in Pottsville, October 2, 1960, a son of Linda Whitcomb Reed, Lykens and the late Kenneth Reed. Lynn was a 1980 graduate of Upper Dauphin High School. He proudly served in the United States Navy where he was an Air Craft Mechanic.
Before becoming ill Lynn was employed by TE Connectivity, Lickdale.
He was a member of the Wiconisco Fire Company. Lynn enjoyed woodworking, listening to music and going to concerts, spending time camping and cheering for his favorite football team the Miami Dauphins. He loved being surrounded by his family and friends.
Surviving in addition to his mother are his two children, Steven C. Reed (Victoria), Lykens; Tara M. Reed, North Carolina; He was looking forward to his first grandchild, Cole due in December; his Maternal Grandmother, Ida Mae Hoffman Whitcomb, Tower City; two brothers, Greg Reed (Tricia), Herndon and Doug Reed (Linda), Halifax; a sister, Cheryl Reed Rhine (Brandon), Berrysburg. Nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attended a service on Thursday, November 4th at 11:30 am at from Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
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Neil L. Disabella, 88, a former resident of Ringtown, passed away Monday, October 25th,2021. He had spent the past two years residing in Orwigsburg.Neil was born in Raven Run, on April 4, 1933, a son of the late Frances (Pellegrino) and Luigi Disabella.
He was a graduate of the former West Mahanoy Township high school, and then served in the U.S. Army as a Medic. He worked several jobs locally before retiring from the maintenance department of the former A&E Hanger Company in Ringtown.
He was a member of St. Mary's Church in Ringtown, the Sons of Italy and the Ringtown Valley Fire Company. Neil, along with his wife Flossie and several other dedicated community citizens, were the founding members of the former Ringtown Ambulance Association.
Neil was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Florence "Flossie" Disabella in 2014, and by a son, Lester Cook.
Neil is survived by two daughters, Silvia Edling of Schuylkill Haven; Roxanne Disabella-Costa, of Blandon; and by a son, Vincent Disabella of Newark, DE. 12 grandchildren, along with many great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and great-great-great grandchildren, all of whom he treated like his own children survive, as do nieces and nephews. Neil is also survied by his siblings, a sister Pauline Fulmer, of Robesonia and two brothers, Robert, of Hummelstown; and Joseph, of Danville.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Sunday, October 31st, 2021 from 6-8 PM at the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, 412 West Main Street, Ringtown. A scripture service will be held at 7:30 PM, by the Rev. Dominic Pham.
Neil will be laid to rest with Military Honors at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, on Monday, November 1st, at 9:30 AM.
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JoAnn K. Arnold, 83, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Sunday while at Geisinger St. Luke's Hospital, Orwigsburg.Born Feb. 21, 1938, she was a daughter of the late Rudolph and Helen White.
JoAnn was a graduate of Port Carbon High School.
She then worked as an LPN for Hamburg State and Rest Haven nursing home.
In addition to her parents, JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years in 2016. She was also predeceased by her brother, Edwin White.
JoAnn is survived by her son, Mark A. Arnold, of New Ringgold, and her daughter, Christi L. Arnold, of Schuylkill Haven. She is also survived by grandchildren, Alison McClure and Darron Boyer.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven. Family and friends are welcome from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Interment will follow on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com.
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Frances M. Roth, 93, of Orwigsburg, passed away Saturday while at Laurel Center in Hamburg.Born in New Philadelphia, June 7, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Margaret Stutz Bensinger.
She was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven. Frances was also on the Deer Lake Zoning Committee.
Frances enjoyed reading and gardening. She especially loved hosting holiday dinners and having her family together.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Roth, who passed away in 1991. She was also predeceased by brothers, John and Edward Bensinger; sister, Margaret “Peggy” Fogarty; and a grandson, Steven Roth.
Frances is survived by her children, Joseph F. Roth, of Orwigsburg, Patricia Huether, of Florida, James Roth, husband to Anne, of Orwigsburg, and Ronald Roth, husband to Kathy, of Auburn. She is also survived by grandchildren, Stacy, Deborah, Patricia, Alexis, Christina, Lori, Jamie, Rochelle, Ryan, Caitlin, Sean and Jeremy; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Klinger, of Norristown.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Grabowski Funeral Home and also from 9 a.m. Saturday until the time of Mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in France’s memory be made to St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com.
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Joseph M. ‘Zeke’ Puza, 49, of Freeland and formerly of Beaver Brook, passed away Tuesday, October 12, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Hazleton.
Born in Hazleton, he is the son of Celeste (Smith) Mahuiztl of Freeland and the late Joseph Puza.
He was of the Roman Catholic faith.
Joey enjoyed helping out at the family garage in Beaver Brook. He loved talking and spending time with everyone. Joey also enjoyed going to USA boxing matches. He was always very patriotic and respected the flag and our country.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his sisters Cindy Taylor of Henrysville; and Christina Puza of Sandy Valley; brothers Jason Puza of Hazleton; and Jonathan Zamudio of Wapwallopen; and nieces and nephews also survive.
Calling hours will be held Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Damiano Funeral Home, Inc., McAdoo. A Private committal service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Condolences may be entered and information is available at www.damianofhinc.com.
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