Skook News Obituaries: July 14th, 2022
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Edward was born in Mahanoy City, PA on December 13, 1950, a son of the late Mary (Ludinsky) and Joseph Harach.
He graduated from Mahanoy Area High School class of 1968.
Eddie had belonged to the Good American Hose Company #3 Mahanoy City.
He was the husband of Theresa (Remetta) Harach.
Eddie is survived by three sisters, Dorothy, wife of Edmund Milukas, of Lancaster; Julianne, wife of Eugene Lesko, of Nottingham MD; Kathryn Hagenbuch, of California, a brother, Thomas, husband of Irene, of Newark De, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by Brothers Charles, James, Joseph, and Stephen and a sister Rose.
Family and friends may call Tuesday 11am to noon at Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc.
Interment will follow at St. Nicholas Cemetery Mahanoy City.
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 on October 11, 1941, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Anna (Schurr) Tray.
She was of the catholic faith, and a retired seamstress.
In addition to her parents, Patricia was preceded in death by two brothers, John Robert Tray and Joseph Michael Tray; two sister-in-laws, a niece, and a nephew.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Frederick J. Burinsky; daughter, Regina Marie Pangonis, wife of Emil; grandsons, Dustin T. Pangonis, Esq. and wife Jessica; great grandson, Graham, NY., Dance C. Pangonis, Phila., Ssgt. Tyler A. Pangonis, USAF, Alaska; sister, Shirley Ann Gilbert, Lititz; close nephews, Bruce Gilbert Jr. and wife Denise and Christopher Gilbert, Lititz; two nieces, step-daughter, Sherry Lee Bottor, wife of Joseph; grandson, Sean Bottor, Pottsville; granddaughters, Spring Alvarez, wife of Jade, FL.; Savannah Miske, wife of Robert; great granddaughter, Sloan; great grandson, Rurik, TX; great-nephews, Zackery, Brendan, and Kyler Gilbert; and a great-niece, Kayleigh Gilbert.
Patsy will always be remembered for her love of family and sense of humor. She loved her four huskies, watching her favorite T.V. shows, and listening to country and oldies music. She danced on American Bandstand, and loved going to concerts. She especially enjoyed her trips to Alaska, California, and New York.
Services and celebration of life will be privately held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hillside SPCA, Pottsville.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral home.
David G. Mistishen, 65, of Deer Lake, passed away Wednesday, July 13th, at his residence.
David was born in St. Clair, on June 28, 1957, a son of the late Helen (Bardzak) and Michael Mistishen.
He was a past member of St. Michael Orthodox Church, Saint Clair and David graduated from St. Clair High School in 1975.
David worked as a Quality Coordinator at Shalmet Corporation, Orwigsburg. He was a member of the Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company. He was an EMT with the former Orwigsburg EMS, which is now Schuylkill EMS. David served his community for over 35 years. David was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed small engine repair.
David is survived by his daughter, Kasey Mistishen, companion of Rory Malone; Two sons Mason Mistishen, husband of Helena and Jarrad Mistishen. David is also survived by his brother, Michael Mistishen, husband of Annie and he is also survived by nieces, nephews & cousins.
Celebration of life will be held Monday July 25th 4-6pm at the Deer Lake Fire Company, followed by a last call by local firefighters and EMS.
Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to have served the family.
Born on October 12, 1931 in Northumberland, PA, he was a son of the late Byron M. Sr. and Laura M. Dailey Mertz. In 1937, the family moved to Coal Township. His father was an auto dealer in Shamokin for over 30 years.
Russell attended schools in Coal Township and graduated in 1949. In high school, he was active with the school newspaper, yearbook and band. He played the baritone horn and served as assistant student band director. He worked at Mertz Motor Sales as an apprentice mechanic through high school and after until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1951.
In mid 1951, he was assigned to the 10th Liaison Squadron as an administrative clerk at Seoul Air Base, Korea. He served there until mid 1952 when he returned to the U.S. as a Sergeant, assigned to Eglin AFB, Florida. There he served as assistant Sergeant Major of the 3202nd Installation Wing. He then became a Staff Sergeant, active at Eglin until his enlistment ended in January of 1955.
He again worked at Mertz Motor Sales while attending Susquehanna University, graduating in 1959 with a B.S. in Business Administration and minor in History.
He married his long-time sweetheart and wife of 67 years, Dolores D. Latsha on October 8, 1955 in Red Cross while attending school.
He was employed by the federal government in the Social Security Administration from 1959 in Sunbury, moving to Lancaster in 1978 as Assistant District Manager until retiring in 1986.
Russell was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church in Northumberland, Long Memorial United Methodist Church in Neffsville and St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Pine Grove. He served in Boy Scouts and many local civic and community organizations.
He had many interests and hobbies beginning with his love for the Lord and his extended family. He enjoyed family history, family reunions and picnics, camping trips, history, the Phillies, Penn State football, DIY projects, trips to the beach and also repairing his 1947 Ford and attending car shows. He also authored "The Mertz Family of Shamokin and Coal Township."
Russell is survived by his wife Dolores; two sons, Philip Mertz of Lancaster and Matthew Mertz of Catawissa; two daughters, Gwendolyn Mertz of Lancaster and Mindy and husband Michael Higgins of Mars, PA; six grandchildren, Philip and wife Jamie Mertz of Howard, Pa., John and wife Shanna Mertz of Ephrata, Angela and husband Matthew McCabe of Stevensville, MT, Matthew Higgins of Mars, Ellen Mertz of Danville and Joseph Mertz of Wattsburg, Pa.; six great grandchildren, Lucas, Sabian, Coraline, Miranda, Oliver and Otto; two brothers, Kenneth and wife Joann Mertz of Coal Township, Thomas Mertz of Danville; two sisters, Frances Weaver of Shamokin and Lois Walburn of La Mesa, CA; and nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were five sisters, Cleo Mertz, Ruth Snyder, Lucille Dimmick, Rachel Raker, and Margery Stametz; three brothers, Byron Jr., Joseph and Jack Mertz.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at Noon at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc, 139 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, with Pastor Rick White officiating. There will be a viewing on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 from 11:00 A.M. until Noon at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Pine Grove VFW Post 3432, 140 S. Tulpehocken St. Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 in his memory.
