Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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A daughter of the late Roy Thomas and Opal Mage (Reisinger) Files, Ginny was born May 4, 1929, and lived the early years of her life in Wiley Ford, W.Va. As a child she attended the Cumberland Church of the Nazarene in Cumberland, Md., where she sang with her sisters in church and on the radio, as early as 3 years old.
In 1946, Ginny began traveling with her late sisters, Beatrice, Vivian and Gloria, in Evangelistic work, where they would sing as a quartet, she would play the accordion and organ and her sister, Gloria, would preach. They traveled throughout the mid-Atlantic region and as far West as Missouri, proclaiming the Gospel for five years.
It was in 1944 that she met the love of her life, the late Earl G. "Buddy" Hoffman Jr., at Northeast Nazarene Camp. They maintained a seven-year long-distance relationship and married May 5, 1951. Ginny spent most of her married life being a loving wife, as well as a devoted mother to Steve L. Hoffman (Virginia), Seaford, Del., Patricia A. Berry (The Rev. Robert), Schuylkill Haven, and Penny Feveryear, (Galen), Narvon.
She was the co-owner and co-operator of Buddy's Service Station, managing the books from 1961 until he closed around 2006.
She joined the Schuylkill Haven Church of The Nazarene, after marrying into the Hoffman family in 1951, and was still a member when she passed. During her years of membership, she served the Lord through singing in various groups, teaching Sunday School and serving as Sunday School secretary, a church board member, chair of the Food Committee, Children's and Adult Music director and church organist.
Since the death of her husband, Buddy, on March 10, 2016, she has been through many struggles. During the past three years at Providence Place, she had multiple falls, broken bones and advancing dementia. The caretakers at Providence Place embraced her like family and cared for her with a love and tenderness that words of gratitude would never be adequate expressions for the care they provided.
Ginny's life was given in service to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; a life of service and expressions of Christ's love poured into her life.
In addition to her parents, husband and sisters, she was preceded in death by her brother, Les, and sister-in-law, Pastor Rose Hoffman.
In addition to her children, Ginny is survived by grandchildren, Steven and Scott Hoffman (Tanesha), Spencer Berry (Marah), Brianna Okerblom (Davin) and Megan Feveryear; great-grandchildren, Isabella, Ayden, Chase, Morgan and Reese; brother-in-law, Alan Pearsall; and nieces and nephews.
A viewing for family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at Church of the Nazarene, West Main Street, Schuylkill Haven. A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, at the church, with Pastor Robert Berry officiating. An additional time for viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Private interment will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, at the family's convenience.
Memorial donations in Ginny's memory may be forwarded to Church of the Nazarene, 220 W. Main St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
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Jane is the second child to Luke and Mimi Barnes, a PGA Head Golf Professional and a homemaker, born on December 20,1947 in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1950, her father accepted a position at the Roanoke Country Club in Roanoke, Virginia where Jane grew up and fell in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains and all things Virginian, especially the roasted redskin peanuts. Her father, Luke, coached the 1987 Master's Champion. A fact she was so proud to share about him. Her siblings, Karen, Mark, Richard and the late Jennifer Lynn Barnes are very close and love each other well. She and her sister, Jenny, were dear friends in life and passed away ten weeks apart. Jenny always said that “Jane would come and get me" when she was a child and needed comforting. We believe Jenny convinced Jane to join her in her new blissful home in the sky. We are comforted to know they are together again along with Jane's husband, Jack T. Dolbin, her parents, her grandson, Jeremiah Dolbin Pillus, many dear friends, and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jane was a devout Christian and it makes us smile to know she met her Savior with a warm embrace last week. She is whole again and free.
Jane graduated from Cave Springs High School, Roanoke in 1966 and attended Wake Forest University (Go Deacs!) where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master's Degree in Physical Education. She was a Varsity cheerleader for the Demon Deacons, the only member of the female gymnastics team (and she was "GOOD" says a friend), and a member of the Laurels' Society intramural basketball team. It was at Wake where she met her future husband, Jack, who was a member of the varsity football team. They married in July, 1970 in Roanoke and had four children, Josh, Jill, Rachel and Christian.
Jane's husband Jack's academic aspirations took them to Chicago, IL where he obtained a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine and where they had their first child. Later, Jack’s football career with the Denver Broncos took them to Denver, Colorado where Jane instantly felt at home in the Rocky Mountains and where the rest of their children were born. There is no bigger fan of Wake Forest athletics or the Denver Broncos than Jane. You could regularly hear her loudly cheering for her teams throughout her home. It was infectious and two allegiances she passed on to her children and grandchildren. After their adventure in Denver ended, Jane and Jack moved their family to Jack's hometown of Pottsville, PA where they ultimately raised their children.
Jane was passionate about cooking great food, caring for her large, beautiful home and vast garden, but most of all, her family. She loved and adored all children, especially her own and her grandchildren. She served us all so well with her huge heart, unmatched patience, gentle nature, kind and thoughtful words and unwavering loyalty and devotion to her family and friends alike. She loved to chat it up with anyone that came in her door. They'd be there for hours. She was quick to laugh and found dry humor the funniest. Jane loved the ocean and would hunt for seashells, rocks and seaglass for hours. She particularly loved to find ones shaped like a heart, a tradition she passed down to her family. She had a heart for abused women, especially single mothers and regularly would donate time and goods to Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWiC) now Schuylkill Hope Center, Pottsville. Once she became an empty nester, she spent many of her hours writing to her sponsor children through Compassion International. She began horseback riding as a form of therapy for her disease and she found much comfort around those big, sweet animals. Her children would regularly bring home stray dogs or cats and Jane never once turned one away. She fell in love quickly with them all. She loved to listen to Hits from the 50s and 60s, James Taylor, The Carpenters, John Denver, Peter Paul and Mary, The Chicks, Traditional Hymns and new age gospel to name a few. She had chocolate stashed in all corners of her home and never turned down ice cream. Ever!
Jane is survived by her son, Joshua Luke (wife Jennifer), New Ringgold, PA, daughter Jill Marie Dolbin, Brentwood, TN, daughter Rachel Dolbin Schreiner (husband Chris), Arlington, VA, daughter Christian Lee Dolbin, Pottsville, PA. Grandchildren; John Tice III (JT), Rebekah June, Joshua Luke, Jr., Noah Russell, Marshall Tice, Payson Jane, James Bowman, Bennett Lee, Elizabeth (Libby) Mimi and Dylan Victoria. Her siblings; Karen B. Visser (husband Nicholas), Baltimore, MD, L. Mark Barnes (wife Molly), Cumming, GA, Richard H. Barnes (wife Carla Shute), Evanston, IL. Nieces and nephews; Katie Larkin, Jennifer Vassil, Anne Nicholson, Paul Barnes, Sarah Barnes, Nathaniel Barnes and many great nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 10 at Noon Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W Arch St, Pottsville, PA. Visiting hours from 10 AM until the time of service. A small family service will be held at St. Paul's Cemetery in Whitesburg, GA at an earlier date.
Donations can be made in Jane's memory to Schuylkill Hope Center (formerly Schuylkill Women in Crisis) Pottsville, PA, by going online to schopecenter.org under "What You Can Do" and then "Ways to Give," or by check made out to Schuylkill Hope Center, P.O Box 96, Pottsville, PA 17901. Or to the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA at rsmspca.org "How to Help" then "Donate Now" or send a check to P.O Box 332, Schuylkill Haven, PA, 17972.
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George Richard Reed, of Frackville, died peacefully May 19, 2022, at his home on his 86th birthday.
Born May 19, 1936, in Shenandoah, he was a son of the late George Samuel and Ruth (Andrews) Reed.
Immediately following his 1954 graduation from Frackville High School, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he was employed with the FBI for 17 years as a latent fingerprint examiner. He continued on with his career he loved at the Washington Metropolitan Police Department until 1989; a total of 34½ years of dedicated service.
He also served in the Army.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Frackville.
Surviving are his wife of over 57 years, Mary (Chuma) Reed; two daughters, Christine Reed and Nancy Koory (Frackville); a sister, Carole Heloskie (Plymouth Meeting); two grandsons, Nathaniel and Paul; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for George will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 26, at Nice-Hart Funeral Home, 9 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville, PA 17931, with the Rev. Carl Shankweiler officiating. Friends may call from 10 until 11 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 33 S. Broad Mountain Ave., Frackville, PA 17931, and Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901. Burial with military honors will be held in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Frackville.
Born May 19, 1936, in Shenandoah, he was a son of the late George Samuel and Ruth (Andrews) Reed.
Immediately following his 1954 graduation from Frackville High School, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he was employed with the FBI for 17 years as a latent fingerprint examiner. He continued on with his career he loved at the Washington Metropolitan Police Department until 1989; a total of 34½ years of dedicated service.
He also served in the Army.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Frackville.
Surviving are his wife of over 57 years, Mary (Chuma) Reed; two daughters, Christine Reed and Nancy Koory (Frackville); a sister, Carole Heloskie (Plymouth Meeting); two grandsons, Nathaniel and Paul; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for George will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 26, at Nice-Hart Funeral Home, 9 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville, PA 17931, with the Rev. Carl Shankweiler officiating. Friends may call from 10 until 11 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 33 S. Broad Mountain Ave., Frackville, PA 17931, and Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901. Burial with military honors will be held in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Frackville.
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Arthur was born in New Ringgold on March 13, 1932, a son of William and Mamie (Haas) Kistler. He was the widower of Gloria Ann (Zechman) Kistler.
He worked for Exide Technologies in Hamburg.
Arthur is survived by his son, Neil Kistler, of Orwigsburg, sister Marie Rubright and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also surviving.
Surviving also are Darlene and Robert Zechman of New Ringgold.
He was preceded in death by his son Douglas Kistler, five sisters Evelyn Geiger, Beatrice Belsak, Dorothy Rolland, Myrtle Yerger and Mildred Solary. Also deceased are five brothers Norman, Willard, Harold, William and Chester Kistler.
A Religious Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 28th at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg, Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM until the time of service.
Interment will be at Christ Church Cemetery, Mc Keansburg.
The family would like to thank St. Luke’s Hospice for their compassionate care and assistance in the several weeks preceding Arthur’s passing.
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Born in St. Clair on October 11, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Kipling and Elizabeth (Bell) Strausser. She was one of 14 children.
She attended St. Mary's grade school, St. Clair, and St. Stephen's High School in Port Carbon. She was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in St. Clair and a previous member of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church in Port Carbon. Catherine loved gardening and taking care of her flowers. She loved her dog Riley and previous dogs, Mickey and Poochie. She loved anyone to visit her at anytime. She especially loved Christmas when her family would visit. She had a house full, but loved every minute of the day. Hr family was her life. She had a special devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband George (Chuck) Chiccini in 1988, a daughter Roseann Chiccini Hughes in 1980, a sister Jane Mooney, and brothers: John, Bob, Bert, Ron, Ned, and Billy.
Surviving are five sons: George, Mechanicsville, Nick and Richard, both of Port Carbon, Mark, husband of Judy, St. Clair, and Michael, husband of Robin, Landisburg. seven daughters: Rita Murray, wife of Danny, Orwigsburg, Nancy Miske, wife of Randy, Orwigsburg, Barbara Walsh, wife of Jack, Frackville, Paula Maley, wife of John, Port Carbon, Lisa Conville, wife of Jim, Port Carbon, Cathy Manning, companion of Ed Maige, Pottsville, and Marie Galuska, Seltzer. God truly blessed Catherine with 13 children, 28 grandchildren, 40 great- grandchildren, 2 brothers: Jim and Dave Strausser, both of Port Carbon, 4 sisters: Nancy Zimmerman, Beth Runkle, and Mary Flanagan, all of Port Carbon and Sally Yeager, Seltzer, and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed by everyone. God Bless You, we love you.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in St. Clair at 11AM on Thursday, May 26th, with Msgr. William Glosser officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing on Thursday morning from 9-11AM at the Church.
Interment will be held private for the family in the Queen of the Universe Cemetery in Pottsville.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements.
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He was born on November 25, 1959 in Philadelphia and was the son of the late Ruth (Prince) Valeno and Nicholas Valeno.
Michael was of the Christian faith.
He was self-employed as a painter and wall paperer in the Ashland area for many years.
Michael enjoyed fishing, camping, ATVs and cars.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his grandmother Angelina Valeno, mother-in-law Kay Fertig, father-in-law Gene Fertig, and grandson Mason.
Michael is survived by his wife Pattyann (Fertig) Valeno, Frackville; six children Angelina Valeno, Erie; Hannah Valeno, Ashland; Patty Ann Valeno, Frackville; Janet Barkus wife of Joe, Orwin; Michael Valeno Jr husband of Suzanne, Catasaqua; and Lenore Valeno, Ashland; three sisters Debbie Berrigan, Ashland; Sharon Meier, Ashland; Linda Gray wife of Bill, Florida; 11 grandchildren Gavin, Jacob, and Nathan, Ashland; Jazlyn and Carter, Ashland; Alexis and Logan, Frackville; Michael III and Kaylee, Hegins, Cameron and Colton, Ashland; two great grandchildren Carsen, Ashland and Brice, Frackville.
A memorial service will be held at 10am on Saturday May 28th at Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home, 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 with Pastor Dana Beil officiating. Family and friends are invited to call from 9am until the time of service at the funeral home.
To extend online condolences visit www.kullfuneral.com . Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc., 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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