Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
------------------------------------------------------
.jpg)
Born in Coaldale on December 26, 1934, he was a son of the late Andrew and Anna (Dancho) Kidda. A 1954 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, Bernard went on to graduate from Penn State in 1958. He started employment with the Paper Mate Division of the Gillette Company in Washington, DC and was later transferred to the company’s division in San Francisco, CA. A patent specialist, Bernard himself held the patent for the Flair Pen. He was a member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Lansford, PA and a 50-year member of the American Chemical Society. An avid gardener and reader, Bernard also enjoyed going to the Hometown Farmers Market.
He is survived by a sister Margaret Stafford and her husband, Will of Kennett Square, PA and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces.
One of 13 siblings, he was predeceased by Helen Smith, Michael Kidda, Eva Benek, Julia Rubel, Joseph Kidda, Mary Stetz, Elizabeth Sherbin, John Kidda, Anna Fisher, Andrew Kidda, and Irene Momrock.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA with The Rev. Robert Teklinski officiating. Interment in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Hometown, PA will follow the services. Call 10 -11 AM on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials in Bernard’s name may be made to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 125 West Bertsch Street, Lansford, PA 18232.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Born Wednesday, May 11, 1938 in Frackville, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late Michael, and Elizabeth (Vargo) Thomas. Arlene was also predeceased by; son John E. McGeehan; daughters, Jacqueline Bower and Candice Ann McGeehan.
Surviving are daughter, Patricia Ann Erickson and her husband Michael; sisters, Marie Konstas, June Warner both of Tamaqua, PA; grandchildren, Nathaniel Erickson and his wife Adelphia, Nevada Bower, McKenzie McGeehan; great grandchildren, Tess, and Iris Erickson; friend, Tim Hibbler, Arlene attended St. Jerome Schools, and was catholic by faith.
She retired from the former Rest Haven Nursing Home of Schuylkill Haven having worked in the dietary department, and enjoyed going to yard sales.
Arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
A Celebration of Arlene's Life will be held on Friday May 13 2022 at 11 o'clock A.M. from the funeral home. Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until time of services.
Born July 8, 1931 in Shenandoah, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Hudock) Kronkowsky.
She married her best friend and beloved soul mate Clarence "Leo" John Grutza in 1956. Together they loved to travel.
Antoinette worked at Martin Shirt Factory in Shenandoah for 23 years, until she retired. She then helped her husband manage his business, Centre Appliance in Shenandoah. Mrs. Grutza was a parishioner at St. George Church, and following its closure, the Annunciation BVM Church. She was behind the scenes for the church block parties, overseeing the making of pierogies and bleenies. She was a member of the Polish American Ladies Auxiliary and the Shenandoah Centennial Ladybirds.
As a widow for 29 years, Mrs. G. was (stubbornly) independent and self-sufficient. Just before becoming a widow, she fought breast cancer and was a proud survivor. She never got her driver's license, and was content to travel on her own two legs. Up until recently, she could be seen walking across town or taking the bus wherever she needed to go.
Her talents were many, but she was especially known for her cooking and baking. Mrs G. made the best pierogies in town, and possibly the entire state! Her Bundukies, Halupki, & Haluski were also a favorite of many. The Grutza home was the heart of her family, where everyone gathered for holidays, to enjoy her delicious food.
In addition to her parents, she was greeted at the Pearly Gates by her husband Clarence & members of his family, her brother Charles Kronkowsky, and her sisters: Rosemary Dower, Regina Kronkowsky, & Alberta Budwash.
Left behind to keep her memory alive are her daughter Annette & husband Ronald Givler; son William Grutza & wife Diane; brother William Kronkowsky; sisters Christina Kalinowski & Maryann Aggon; granddaughter Cassandra & husband Allan Fenkner; granddaughter Jessica & wife Chelsea Huzvar; granddaughter Sarah & husband Rob Seng; grandson Clarence Grutza and girlfriend Olivia. If her grandchildren brought her joy, her great-grandchildren Mario, Nico, Jesse, & Madeline were the light of her world! Also, two sister-in-laws, Frances Grutza and Helene Grutza, will remember her fondly. Many nieces, nephews, & friends will also keep her memory alive. And finally, her pet bird, Smurfy, will miss her dearly but will be taken care of by Jesse.
Respecting her wishes, there will be no viewing or services for her. Antoinette will be cremated and buried privately, by her family, at a later date. She enjoyed watching her grandson play football and always supported the Shenandoah Valley Football team. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to Shenandoah Valley Quarterback Club, P.O. Box 136, Shenandoah, PA 17976.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
Survivors
Wife: Ada Schrepple, married 56 years
Daughter: Denise wife of Melvin Mastishin, Fountain Springs
Son: John E. Quick, Fountain Springs
Brother: Ivan Quick and his wife Sandy, Ashland
Grandchildren: Melvin J. Mastishin, Andreanna Mastishin, Laci Quick, and John G. Quick.
Nieces and Nephews
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life funeral service, May 10, at 11 AM, in the Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, 1323 Centre St., Ashland. Officiating will be Rev. Dean Luther, pastor of the Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, Ashland. Interment with military honors will follow in Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs. A viewing will begin at 9 AM until service time. Memorials made be made to the Hillside SPCA, Hillside Road, Pottsville, PA 17901.
