Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Laverna Allen Beard, 86, of Saint Clair, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning in York Terrace, Pottsville.
Born in Frederick, MD on March 12, 1935, she was a daughter of the late McKinley and Gwennie (Snowell) Allen.
She was a 1954 graduate of Pottsville Area High School.
Laverna was a member of Bethel AME, Pottsville, where she was very active and served as a Pastor's Steward, church and financial secretary, and Sunday School Superintendent for 32 years.
She worked as a daycare worker at Pottsville Mission for many years. In addition she was very close to and worked for the Schoeneman family.
Laverna was an assistant Brownies Leader at the Pottsville Mission; Vice-President of Mother's Booster,
Pottsville ; and former Vice-President of the Pottsville PTA.
In addition to her parents, Laverna was preceded in death by her husband, James Beard, in January 2016, to whom she was married for 60 years; and brother, McKinley Allen.
She is survived by daughter, Patricia L. Watford, husband of Lonnie, of St. Clair; son, Warren J. Beard, husband of Jacqueline, of Fayetteville, NC; grandchildren: James Warren Beard and Markita Scott; sisters: Anna Coleman, wife of Alvin; Brenda Case, widow of John; several nieces and nephews; and cousins.
A Memorial service will be held on Monday, December 27th at 11:00 a.m. at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Pastor Earl Singleton officiating.
Private interment will follow in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
The family request memorial contributions in Laverna's name may be sent to: Bethel AME Church, 816 Laurel Blvd., Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Pottsville, PA on November 28, 1941, he was the son of the late Stephen J. and Mary (Snyder) Thomas.
Stephen was a graduate of Saint Clair High School, Class of 1959. He worked for the Pottsville Hospital, Cressona Aluminum, the Argo Corp. and retired from Tamaqua Cable. Stephen was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in St. Clair. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved watching football, especially Notre Dame, going for drives and getting ice cream, playing games, especially trivia games, and most of all his grandchildren and attending their sporting events and activities. His family meant everything to him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Nancy Hreyno.
Stepehen is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara A. (Peifley) Thomas, Port Carbon; daughters: Lisa Gasper and her husband Joseph, Cressona and Kelly Thomas, Port Cabon; grandchildren: Zachary and Emily; cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in St. Clair. at 11AM on Tuesday, December 28th, with Msgr. William Glosser officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with the family on Tuesday morning from 10-11AM at the Church.
Interment will be held in the Schuylkill Memorial Park Cemetery in Schuylkill Haven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Clare of Assisi Church Memorial Fund 250 East Hancock Street Saint Clair, PA 17970.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Pottsville on December 17, 1979, he was the son of John and Louise Ann (Lisefski) Kelly of Shenandoah.
John was the valedictorian of the Class of 1998 of the former Cardinal Brennan Jr./Sr. High School, Fountain Springs. He then graduated from Duquesne University and continued his education at the University of Kentucky. While at Duquesne, he completed an internship with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an athletic trainer. After college he worked at Marshall University.
Presently, John was employed as an insurance agent for Health Markets, Inc. in Virginia.
He was a member of the 500 Fish & Game Club, Glover’s Hill Athletic Club and the Columbia Hose & Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1 all of Shenandoah.
John had a great devotion to the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, attending the annual Mass, walking in the procession, and gathering with and preparing food for family and friends was of most importance to him. He was a great chef and enjoyed cooking for all family gatherings and affairs. He was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan.
Preceding him in death were his paternal grandparents, John J. and Anna (Mohutsky) Kelly and maternal grandparents, Stanley & Anna (DeCrease) Lisefski.
Surviving in addition to his parents are his sister, Tina Louise Nerelli and her husband Daniel with their children, John’s nephew and niece, Chase and Ella; aunt, Ann Kelly of Shenandoah; aunt and uncle, Florence and Vince Kacelowicz of Pottsville; great aunts, great uncles, cousins and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at 10:00 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. Visitation will be held on Wednesday morning from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at Divine Mercy Church.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Gratz, April 28, 1935, a son of the late Clarence W. and Helen Chapus Hoffman. Clarence was a graduate of the former Hegins High School. He was a United States Air Force Veteran.
He was a retired welder at the former Alfa Laval, Lykens.
He was a faithful and devoted member of Our Lady Help Christians Catholic Church, Lykens. A life-long member of the Lykens Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Short Mountain Gun Club and the former Lykens American Legion. Clarence also volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels in Lykens.
His family meant the world to him and was extremely proud of his two grandchildren. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Jennifer Buggy, April 9, 2017, a sister Ramona Witmer and a brother Thomas Hoffman.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Eileen Shiley Hoffman, two grandchildren, Eric Buggy and Shannon Buggy both of Halifax; his son-in-law, Michael Buggy, Halifax.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 3:00 pm from Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, with Rev. Michael Opoki, AJ as Celebrant. Viewing will from 2-3 pm at the church. Burial will be in the Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco.
In lieu of flower donations in Clarence's name should be made to his church, 732 Main Street, Lykens, PA 17048 or Knights of Columbus, Market Street, Lykens PA 17048.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Betty Ann Weikel, 76, of Woodland Heights, Ashland, passed away on December 20, 2021, surrounded by her family, at her residence.
The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, will announce funeral arrangements.
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In recent years, Eoin enjoyed cultivating his culinary skills and was employed at both Bally Hotel and Frecon Farms in Boyertown. Outside of work and school, Eoin loved spending time with his friends and family. Known for his story telling and trivia knowledge, he had an uncanny ability to recite sports statistics, music lyrics and movie quotes to relate to almost any situation. Eoin was charming and quick witted with a personality as bright as his red hair and would light up any room upon entry. Eoin was an avid fan of Steelers Football, Duke Basketball, Music, Marvel, Star Wars, and anything LEGO. In addition, Eoin loved hunting, shooting, and playing golf and left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
Eoin is survived by his loving parents, Linnea & Dean Meiser, of Andreas, PA and James & Danielle Towers, of Bally, PA; siblings, Jimmy, Kate, Max, Alexandra, & Spencer; Grandparents, Tom & (late) Judy Keener, of Ft Myers, Fl; Michael & Shevaun Towers, of Washington, PA; Andy & (late)Heidi Weyershaeuser, of Horsham, PA; (late) Richard & Eileen Meiser, of New Ringgold, PA; Great Grandmother, Lois Hall, of Albany NY; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Eoin was adored, deeply loved and will be dearly missed.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, December 23, at 11am at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, in Bally PA, with the Paternal family receiving friends for visitation from 9am to the start of the service.
A Memorial Service will also be held on December 28, at 11:30 am at Zion’s Stone Church, in New Ringgold PA, with the Maternal Family receiving friends for visitation from 9 am to the start of the service.
Contributions may be made to Preston’s Food Pantry, c/o Boyertown Multi-Service, 200 West Spring Street, Boyertown PA 19512, or The Kindness Project, Foster Care resource through their website: https://kindnessprojectlv.org/the-need/ or www.kindnessprojectlv.org.
Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold.
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