Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Even though he was in constant debilitating pain, he always had a smile and downplayed how extreme his condition was. He cherished all family activities, including “manly-man” Sundays with Trevor and Jessica as small children, camping in a bounce house overnight at the pharmacy with both children and their friends, making swimwear out of duct tape with Jessica for her Barbie dolls, watching Trevor make “toxic waste” using common kitchen ingredients, and hiking the do-or-die trails together. He and Jessica shared cherished conversations while taking drives, and later he enjoyed a cigar or a toast with Trevor and his friends. He always had the right insight and advice to help his family with any of life’s problems, showing others to forgive by his example. He did everything he possibly could to make Karen’s life easier, always treating his wife like a queen.
Ric was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on June 23, 1960, but shortly afterward his family moved to Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he grew up. He was a 1978 graduate of Hazleton High School and earned his associate’s degree in dietary management from Alvernia College. He worked on his bachelor’s degree in food service management at Penn State Hazleton.
Ric was always a hard worker, beginning as a young teenager at Price’s Dairy and moving on to Genetti’s and Carmen’s where he honed his cooking skills and the speed necessary to excel at busy restaurants. At 19 years old, Ric was employed at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Hazleton, filling various positions, starting as breakfast cook and moving on to stock room manager, Assistant Director of Food Services, and finally Director of Food and Nutritional Services. He served on many committees during his 18 years at St. Joseph’s, from Meals on Wheels to the Alliance Committee. His love of spending time with his wife Karen led him to open and manage The Café at Morris Drugs, where they worked together to combine pharmacy services with a breakfast and lunch counter. The Café was a local hot spot with excellent food and Rick’s great sense of humor and unending entertainment. Though his medical condition forced him to close his beloved café, the food, atmosphere, and camaraderie he provided are still fondly remembered today.
Ric was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Henry and Fern Louise (Beckey) Flynn, Sister Nancy Flynn, Brother Thomas Flynn, and father-in-law Frank Pangonis, Sr. He is sadly missed by his wife, Karen Pangonis Flynn, with whom he would have celebrated 29 years of marriage on April 24, and their children Trevor Flynn (Dusquesne University School of Law), and Jessica Flynn (University of Pittsburgh). Also surviving are brothers Larry Flynn (Bernadette), Robert Flynn (Cindy), Gerald Flynn (Tina), and sisters Kathleen Keath and Janice Bertuola (fiance Pete Minneci). Ric is survived by Joann Pangonis, his mother-in-law, whom he loved as dearly as a biological mother; Diane (Peter) Butkus, sister-in-law; Frank (Wendy) Pangonis, brother-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews, one great-niece, and a great-nephew on the way.
Ric was very active and enjoyed tennis, softball, volleyball, basketball, darts, and hiking, actually rescuing a llama while hiking the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee with his brother Gerald. He was also an avid reader. But the thing that most defined Ric was his love of his wife and children. You would be hard-pressed to find a more loving couple than Ric and Karen.
Ric received the sacraments at St. Gabriel’s Church in Hazleton and later became a member at St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Mahanoy City. Ric was a dedicated member of the National Rifle Association, the American Chestnut Foundation, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the American Dietetic Association.
Visitation will be Saturday, April 16, at the Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home, 300 W. Center St., Mahanoy City, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. A service will follow visitation at 6:00 p.m. with final blessings by Pastor Ginny Heimer. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Donations in Ric’s name may be sent to RSDSA (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association) at P.O. Box 502, 99 Cherry St., Milford, CT 06460.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book, view Tribute Video and send sympathy cards.
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Those who knew him will remember a quiet man of quiet pursuits. Never without a book within reach, he enjoyed immensely the stories of cowboys, spies, detectives and tales of derring-do. When his head was not in a a book, John could be found puttering in his garden, growing the vegetables he did not care to eat but still proudly presented to his family. He was a lover of birds, golf, National Parks, cheap beer, jigsaw puzzles and a good verbal tussle. He traveled the world with his wife, Helen, finding adventure in the quiet enjoyment of beautiful places. Music was always prominent in his life. From his reel to reel tapes to his iPod, he shared with his family a love of John Denver, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Elvis that survives to this day.
John was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1938, the son of the late Janet (Hasbrouck) and Bernhard Michelson. He graduated from St. Peter’s High School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, before proudly serving his country in the US Air Force. He attended Penn State University. He made his living for 40 years as a machinist, while also finding time to volunteer as a member of the East Hanover (NJ) First Aid Squad. John was a lifelong baseball fan who never quite forgave the Dodgers for leaving Brooklyn.
John is survived by his beloved wife Helen (Chase), daughters Laura Zartman and her husband Brad of Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania; Jennifer Michelson of Hopewell, New Jersey; grandchildren Aleksander Michelson, Rebeccalynn Michelson and Hunter Zartman. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law , Eric and Martha Michelson of Pensacola, Florida, and their children and grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, April 20th at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Summer Hill, Auburn, with Pastor Kenneth McDowell officiating.
A viewing for family and friends will be held prior from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the Church.
Interment will follow at Summer Hill Cemetery, Auburn.
At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be forwarded to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Living Memorial, 1235 Summer Hill Road, Auburn PA 17922.
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Gerald G Schwartz, 73 of Pine Grove, passed away on Friday, April 15, at his home.
Born on July 29, 1948, in Pottsville, he was a son of the late George and Evelyn Saltzman Schwartz.
Gerald had been employed as a Fork Lift Operator for the former Gold Mills, Inc., Pine Grove.
Gerald was a 1966 graduate of Pine Grove High School and was a life member of the H. H. & L. Fire Co. #1. He loved camping and spending time with his grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Barbara Bettinger Schwartz, a Daughter, Heather Funk of Harrisburg; a Son, Gerald and wife Stacy Schwartz of Minersville; four grandchildren, Brendan & Lauren Funk, and Nathan & Bryce Schwartz.
Services will be scheduled at a later time with interment in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
The family would prefer, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA 18 Wertz Dr., Pine Grove, PA 17963, in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, is in charge of the arrangements.
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Catherine Conshue, 88, of Branch Township, passed away on Monday at Renaissance Home – Pinebrook, Orwigsburg.
Born on November 28, 1933 in Heckscherville, Cass Township, she was a daughter of the late John and Anna (nee Hertz) Pahira. She attended Branch Township schools. She last worked at the former Rick-Ann Hall, Primrose.
She was a member of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church, Minersville, and a current member of Holy Family Parish of Minersville.
Catherine enjoyed caring for her family as a devoted wife and mother. She will be remembered for her delicious stuffing recipe and sand tart Christmas cookies. If she was not busy cleaning each nook and cranny of her home, she could be found shopping at Boscov’s, enjoying conversation over a cup of warm tea, and praying the rosary in honor of her loved ones.
Her sweet disposition and gentle manner made an impression on everyone she met, including the staff at Renaissance Home, who the family would like to thank for the compassion and care they showed Catherine.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 67 years, William A. Conshue, on December 3, 2020; a son, Joseph Conshue, on October 20, 2016. The last of ten children, she was preceded by her siblings, Mary Pahira, Margaret Colahan, Mary Rizzardi Siegfried, Helen Tracey, Veronica Reagan, Anna “Billie” Schinkel, Charles Pahira, George Pahira and John Pahira.
She is survived by three children, William T. Conshue (spouse, Taeson), San Antonio, Texas, Karen Murry (spouse, Nathan), Branch Township, and Mark Conshue (spouse, Sherri), Minersville; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 20. Commital will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, at 12:30 P.M. on Thursday, April 28.
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Carl was born on August 22, 1928 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania the son of the late George and Beatrice (Homer) Dreisbach. Carl was also predeceased by; brothers, Donald, William, and Arthur Dreisbach; sister Violet Farrell.
Carl attended Tamaqua High School. When he was 14, he worked at the former Eames’ Bakery in Tamaqua. He joined the Navy in 1946 and served for two years aboard the U.S.S. Birmingham. After returning to Tamaqua, he married Nancy (Hoffman) Dreisbach and they celebrated 60 years of marriage before he passed. He worked for 42 years at the Atlas Power Company on both the powder line and the blast supply. Carl was a co-owner of Nancy’s Sewing Center in Tamaqua with his wife. He was active in his community through organizations such as the American Hose Company, the Elk’s, and the Keystone Club. Carl was instrumental in the shows at the Elk’s, such as the Miss America pageants, which always brought laughter and fun. He was a member at Zion Lutheran Church.
Carl was always known to be a jokester and had many hobbies including painting, cheering for Penn State football, and collecting memorabilia from his trips to Germany. He was famous for having surprise birthday parties for himself and enjoying a beer (or two) with good friends. As a young boy, he was even the yo-yo champion of Philadelphia.
Carl is survived by his wife, Nancy, his son, Retired Colonel Greg Dreisbach and his wife Ivy of Baltimore, Maryland, his granddaughters, Caitlin (Dreisbach) wife of Tyler Woodward of Rochester, New York, Erin Dreisbach of Baltimore, Maryland; sister Beatrice Holmberg of Tamaqua. Many nieces and nephews also survive Carl.
Carl's family would like to thank the St. Luke’s Hospice team including his amazing hospice nurse, Cindy, and phenomenal home hospice aid, Tammy. He was unbelievably loved during the over 10 months he was in their care.
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 Funeral Service will be held from the funeral home on Wednesday April 27, 2022 at 11 o'clock A.M., Rev. Cindy White to officiate.
Friends may call on Tuesday evening April 26, 2022 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., and on the morning of services from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services.
Interment Sky-View Memorial Park Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Military honors will be bestowed.
The family requests that donations be sent to St. Luke’s Hospice 2455 Black River Road Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, or Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 109 North Greenwood Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.
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Mary Lou (Duffy) Lynam of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully at St. Luke's Miners Hospital on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. She was 79 years of age
Born Saturday, July 11, 1942 in Abington, Pennsylvania, Mary Lou was the daughter of the late John, and Marion (Gardner) Duffy. Mary Lou was also predeceased by her husband, Michael J. Lynam in 2007.
Surviving are sons, Michael J. Lynam, IV of Philadelphia, Patrick J. Lynam of Georgia; daughters, Mary Lou M. Garner and her husband Jay of Ambler, Patricia Ann Lynam of Bucks County; brother, John Duffy, Washington; sister, Betty Romel in Nevada and numerous grandchildren.
Mary Lou was Protestant by faith and enjoyed painting. Mary Lou worked in the manufacturing canning industry.
Private arrangements have been entrusted to E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Homes and CremationServices, Inc., 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. 570-668-2550.
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Jim was born on October 16, 1944, to Follmer and Margaret Heckard in the town of Frackville. Jim was a lifeguard and an avid swimmer and diver putting on comedy diving shows at the Frackville pool. After high school graduation, he was employed by Caterpillar, Purolator, and Reneer Films.
In 1964, he met Louise Komosinsky at Holiday Lanes. Jim and Louise married and went on to have 4 children. Jim was preceded in death by two of his daughters; Michelle Anne and Cheryl Anne, parents Follmer and Margaret, and sister Shirley Knight. He is survived by his wife Louise (Komosinsky) Heckard, his daughter Colleen Heckard, and son David Heckard; grandchildren Emanuel, Haley, and Leah as well as brothers Glenn and Keith Heckard and sister Donna Kratz.
Services will be held at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 10:30am and will be officiated by Msgr. Ronald Bocian. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 8-10:30. Interment will follow in St. Casimir’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
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