Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Steve was born in Mahanoy City, on June 13, 1933, a son of the late Maria (Doronda) and Michael Chakan.
Attended local schools
He served in the U.S. Army as a Cpl in the Korean War.
He worked as a welder at H. R. Schwab Welding Co. Hazleton, PA.
“Chak” was a simple man who appreciated the little things in life and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix! He always had a cold beer, a room full tools and a heart of gold. He especially enjoyed sitting outside on the porch with an occasional cigar, the company of his family, a trip to the casino or a good war or western film.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann (Kachmar) Chakan.
Steve is also survived by a daughter, Linda Wierzalis, significant other of Thomas Boyle, of Shenandoah Heights. A son, Joseph Chakan and wife Chris, of Tamaqua;
Steve is also survived by five Grandchildren, Melany Wierzalis, Stefanie (Wierzalis) Rose and her husband Matthew, Clarissa Chakan, Caleb Chakan and Julie (Brobst) Schlorf. Great Grandchildren, Myles and Major Rose, whom he adored.
He is preceded in death by a twin sister, and brothers John, Michael, and Andy; along with several friends that were like family surely waiting for him with a cold beer.
We will forever miss the sound of his voice, the wisdom of his advice, and the stories he shared.
Services are private at the convenience of family.
Interment at National Cemetery Fort Indiantown Gap Annville, PA.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and send sympathy cards.
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Born in Pottsville, on July 27, 1959, a daughter of the late June (Kulp) and Willard Sites.
She was the wife of Keith "Butch" Geary.
She was a member of St. Mark's United Church of Christ Cressona and the Order of the Eastern Star, Cressona Chapter. She was very involved in the Relay for Life for over 20 years. She was the captain of the Renninger’s Make A Wish Team. She ran a marathon in 1997 in memory of her sister Lyndelle Sites for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, raising over ten thousand dollars. Gemma was also very involved with the Special Olympics, starting the fashion show, running the ugly sweater contest and acting as fundraiser for two years. She ran the adult prom as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Throughout Gemma’s whole life she practiced Random Acts of Kindness.
Gemma was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School, class of 1977 and Lehigh County Community College, class of 1980. She worked as a physical therapist assistant at Reading Hospital Medical Center from 1980-1981, Good Samaritan Hospital 1981-1995 and Schuylkill I.U. #29 1995 to the present.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sons Tyler Haas, Schuylkill Haven and Blake Haas, Conshohocken; step daughter Cindie Burke wife of Jonathan, Harrisburg; step son Kevin Geary husband of Jess, Pine Grove; step grandchildren Kellie Geary, Mina Burke, Emilie Geary and Elliot Burke; siblings Dean Sites husband of Bev, Auburn, David Sites husband of Mary Ann, Orwigsburg, Cindy Keeley and her companion Stan Staller, Cressona, Donny Sites, Harrisburg and Denny Sites husband of Cathy, Schuylkill Haven; father in law Leonard "Red" Geary; lots of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gemma is preceded in death by her nephews Danny Sites and Roger "RJ" Lehman.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at St. Mark's United Church of Christ, Cressona, with Rev. Kevin Fruchtl officiating on Saturday, January 29 (promptly) at 11 am.
A visitation for family and friends will be held prior from 8 am until the time of the service at the Church.
Guests are welcome to greet with the family at the Church and then make their way to the Goodwill Hose Co, Cressona where the service will be live streamed. The family will join all guests at the fire house for a luncheon following the service. If arriving after 11am please go directly to the firehouse.
Family request donations to Camp Dragonfly, in c/o Hospice of Central Pennsylvania 1320 Linglestown Road Harrisburg, PA 17110, Headstrong Foundation 232 Green Ave Holmes, PA 19043 (the house Gemma and Butch stayed in during treatments) or the Schuylkill IU #29 for the Handicap Accessible Playground, checks can be made payable to Schuylkill IU29 and denote on the memo line Playground Donation in Memory of Gemma Geary.
Interment will be private at convenience of the Family.
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Born on October 10, 1953 in Shelby, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Dewey Humphrey and Roxie Ann Lewis Miller.
She was a graduate of Pine Grove High School.
Kay was a warper for Weave Corp. and then a CNA at Ephrata Manor.
Preceding her in death were two sisters, Rebecca Jo Boulhanna and Barbara Tranquillo; and a brother Timothy Humphrey.
Surviving are a daughter, Melissa Ulsh and fiancé Todd Bettinger of Tremont; two grandchildren, Samantha Yoder and fiancé Rodney Heller and Jesse Levan; two great grandchildren, Damien and Anslee Myers; nieces and nephews; and her best friend Gunner.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove with Pastor Barry Spatz officiating. There will be a visitation on Friday, January 21, 2022 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Manbeck's Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Make-a-wish Foundation of Mid-Eastern Pa., Attn: Maggie O'Brien, 327 North Washington Ave. Suite 501 Scranton, Pa. 18503 in her memory.
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Born Thursday, February 9, 1933 in Passaic, New Jersey. the son of the late Anton, and Rose (Tibus) Resch. Robert was also predeceased by; sister, Audrey Bedwell.
Surviving are; his beloved wife of 64 years, Jacqueline (Spiegell) Resch; son, Timothy Resch of Highland Park, NJ,; daughter, Robyn A. Resch of Plainsboro, NJ,; brothers, Donald Resch and his wife Rose, Dennis Resch and his wife Marian. Nieces and nephews also survive Robert.
A graduate of Clifton High School, Robert matriculated to Newark College of Engineering graduating with his Engineering degree. Robert served honorably in the United States Army, and in the Army Reserve. Robert worked as a Mechanical Engineer for the Department of Defense. Slovak Catholic by faith, Robert enjoyed gardening, and woodworking.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884
Interment will be in Washington Crossing National Cemetery Newtown, Pennsylvania.
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Born April 12, 1967, in Pottsville, he was a son of Carl and Barbara (Freeze) Post.
Jeffrey was a 1985 graduate of Pottsville Area High School. He then went on to serve in the Navy active until 1988 and then five more years in the Navy Reserves. Jeffery had served in the Navy on the Eisenhower and had many friends with whom he reconnected through Facebook. He and his shipmates began having a Fourth of July reunion every year at his shipmate's house in Illinois.
Jeffrey worked as a water treatment operator and supervisor for the Borough of Tamaqua. He also worked as a realtor for Berkshire Hathaway.
Jeffrey was a loving and devoted father. He became a coach in the sports that his children were involved in and even a soccer referee to learn the rules of the sport. He encouraged his children to learn and try, giving them the skills they'd need to be successful. He passed on his knowledge of car maintenance and his love of hunting and fishing.
Jeffrey shared his love of the outdoors with everyone. From the time his children could walk, he put a bow in their hands and taught them to shoot. He enjoyed going to traditional bow shoots, where he made many lifelong friends along the way.
Jeff was involved in many clubs, his longest being the Nation Wild Turkey Federation Schuylkill Spurs Chapter, where he served as vice president and treasurer for over 20 years. He was a Boy Scout Assistant Leader for Orwigsburg Troop 624 and assisted in many of the trips and campouts - his favorites being the merit badge for a 50-mile bike ride and the cold weather camping and hiking. He was an avid camper; many of the family's biggest adventures started with towing a pop-up camper and later in a fifth wheel.
In his recent years, Jeffrey became a falconer. It was just one of the ways he showed his love and appreciation for the outdoors. Jeffrey was also a brother of the Free Mason Schuylkill Lodge 138 in Orwigsburg and a member of the Schuylkill Haven Fire Department 63 Dive Team.
Jeffrey is preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl and Edna (Nabholz) Post and Howard and Evelyn (Holley) Freeze.
Jeffrey is survived by his wife, Beth; their children, Ashley R. Post, Laura R. Ingraham, wife of Nicholas, Tyler J. Post, and Jordan J. Post; and his infant grandson, Nolan N. Ingraham. He is also survived by his brother, Joseph Post, husband of Debra, of Pottsville, and sister, Carla Fisher, companion of Keith, of Cressona; several nieces and nephews; and several godchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Orwigsburg. A viewing will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of services. Grabowski Funeral Home is entrusted with services. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Orwigsburg Boy Scout Troop 624 or St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Orwigsburg.
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Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Rudolph and Donna (Bilock) Arnoldi and was of the Roman Catholic faith.
Tony was a graduate of Hazleton High School, class of 1987. He also attended Luzerne County Community College.
Tony was last employed at Seitz Environmental as a Certified Radon Technician and Drainage System Specialist. He was previously employed with the Hazleton Area School District Maintenance Dept.
Surviving, are his uncle and aunt, Andrew and Judy Arnoldi of Hazleton; Uncle Stephen Bilock of Tamaqua; several cousins; and many friends and neighbors.
His funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Damiano Funeral Home, Inc., McAdoo. Interment will follow in Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown.
A calling hour will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. in the funeral home.
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