Skook News Obituaries: July 19th, 2022
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Mahanoy City on October 11, 1938, she was a daughter of the late Anthony & Helen (Donella) Valkosak.
For 50 years she was the loving wife of John J. Buleza, Jr.; who preceded her in death on April 26, 2018.
Sonja was a graduate of Mahanoy City High School, and Allentown School of Nursing. She retired as a registered nurse from Hamburg State Hospital.
Sonja was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven. She also belonged to the Robert E. Baker American Legion Post #38, Schuylkill Haven.
Sonja is survived by a son, David Zachar & wife, Christy, Orwigsburg, a daughter, Yvonne Buck, Auburn, & son-in-law, Gary Buck, Schuylkill Haven. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Dana McGinley & husband, Stephen, Scott Delinko & wife, Lynne, and Zade & Cody Zachar; two great-grandchildren: Tatum & Quincy, sister, Virginia Ashman, & brother Tony Valkosak.
A viewing for family and friends will be held at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven from 5-7 PM on Wednesday evening.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church on Thursday at 10:30 AM with Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik officiating.
An additional time for viewing will be held from 9:15-10:15 AM at the church on Thursday. Interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
At the family's request, donations in Sonja's memory should be sent to Purple Heart Foundation, P O Box 49, 7008 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.
To extend condolences to the family, visit www.gsesfuneralhomes.com
Geschwindt Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 23rd at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Ashland with Msgr. William Glosser as the celebrant. Friends are invited to her viewing at the church on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. Interment will follow at Annunciation BVM Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Girardville is in charge of the arrangements.
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She attended Mahanoy Township High School and worked for Eagle Brothers and last worked in the cafeteria at Mahanoy Area High School where she retired after 42 years of service. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mahanoy City.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband William Bickowski as well as one sister and several brothers.
She is survived by a daughter Debra Yutko of Bowmans, 3 sisters Lois Davis and her husband Howell of Barnesville, Patricia Kanger also of Barnesville, Margaret Klemovich and her husband Robert of Frackville, 3 brothers George Bradbury and his wife Joann of Barnesville, Jeff Bradbury and his wife Janice of Shenandoah Heights and Daniel of Park Place, 2 granddaughters Jeannette Wiekrykas and Nicole McLaughlin and 4 great grandchildren Courtney Levy, Rebecca and John Wiekrykas III and Paige Brode as well as many nieces and nephews.
Services will be privately held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers contributions in Maryann's name to ALSAC/St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 would be appreciated by the family.
David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements.
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Born June 27, 2022 she was a daughter of the late George and Florence "Dolly" (Prindiville) Morgan.
She was a member of Souls Harvest Baptist Church, New Philadelphia.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her sister Joyce (Morgan) James.
Surviving are her husband Richard Magnani, Brockton, niece Lori Depasquale and nephew Mark James.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation services, Inc. of 655 East Broad street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, 18252.(570) 668-2550.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, July 21, 2022 from the funeral home. Friends may call from 10:00AM-11:00 AM. Internment will be in Prospect Cemetery, East Stroudsburg, PA.
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A much loved husband, dad and papa, “G” enjoyed telling stories from his many life experiences, beginning with stories from his childhood in New Columbus to his football days as quarterback for his alma mater, Nesquehoning High School. Guido was passionate about sports; he was a life-long fan of his New York Yankees and Notre Dame football. “G” was also a fabulous dart shooter in his hey-day. He shot darts in the Tamaqua Dart League for many years, scoring a record breaking 63 points during one historic match.
Guido was a U.S. Army veteran, having served his country in Korea. He retired from Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, PA.
Guido is survived by his devoted wife of more than 61 years, Lucille (Coppola) Lopresto. They met at a dance hall, which was very appropriate because Guido loved to dance. They became partners on the dancefloor, dancing whenever they had the chance and the music was right, especially if it was the jitterbug. But most importantly they became partners in life,sharing their love and devotion with the family he adored.
Guido leaves behind his children, son, Christopher M. Lopresto and daughter, Elizabeth (Lopresto) Confer and her husband, Bruce O. Confer. He was the proud papa of two granddaughters who survive him, Marlo (Confer) Spilker, wife of Brock Spilker, and Laine O Confer (his Baboo.) Guido is also survived by two beautiful great granddaughters, Arliss Elizabeth Spilker and Thea Frances Spilker.
Siblings surviving Guido include: brother, Charles Lopresto and sisters, Joann Sekella, Marie Damian and Ann Clemson. Guido is also survived by his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and was predeceased by his sister, Antoinette Bochicchio.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc, 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. 570-668-2550.
Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday July 26, 2022 from 10:00 to 11:00 with a funeral service at 11:00. Interment will be in St. Jerome's Roman Catholic Church Cemetery.
Memorials in Guido's name can be made to:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105
or to a charity of one's choice.
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Born in Shenandoah, on July 13, 1948, he was the son of the late John S. and Nellie A. (Somolis) Gantz.
He was a 1966 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
John was employed as foundry worker for Rockwell International, Reading. He was a caretaker for St. Stanislaus and St. Casimir cemeteries, Shenandoah Heights.
Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, was his wife, the former Ann Marie Steele.
Surviving are two sons, John J. Gantz and his wife, Kathy, of Ringtown, and Paul D. Gantz and his wife, Lynn, of Pine Grove; two daughters, Brenda M. Polgrean, of Lancaster, and Gloria A. Keck and her husband, Karl, of Orwigsburg; seven grandchildren, Cameron Gantz, Tyler Gantz, Andrew Gantz, Joshua Gantz, Autumn Gantz, Dylan Keck and Makayla Keck; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services and interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah, is in care of the arrangements.
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She was born on Friday, February 10, 1956, in Pottsville, a daughter of the late Roy A Lettich and the late Florence I (Carl) Lettich Lyons.
She worked at Papetti's Egg Plant, Klingerstown.
She was preceded in death by her parents; by a sister, Rosemary Zimmerman, and a brother, David Lettich.
She is survived by two sisters, Donna Everidge of Valley View and Carol Long of Shippensburg; four brothers, Randy Lettich of Ashland, Gene Lettich of Sacramento, Jacob Lettich of Sacramento, and Gregory Lettich of Tremont; two half brothers, Todd Lyons of Pine Grove, Robert Lyons of Hegins; and several nieces and nephews.
There will be no services.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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Grace Kehley, 92, of Ringtown, passed away Monday, July 18th, at her residence. .
Grace was born in Ringtown, on June 8, 1930, a daughter of the late Emma (Jones) and Edward Shoup.
She attended local schools and worked several jobs, having been retired from the local garment industry. Grace was a member of the Aurand Memorial United Methodist Church in Ringtown.
In addition to her husband WIlbur Kehley who passed away in 2003, she was preceded in death by a son, Craig, a grandson Scott, along with brothers and sisters.
She is survived by three sons, Carl, and his wife Sandy of McAdoo; Cary, and his wife Mary Lou of Harrisburg; and Todd, and his wife Norma of New York; and a brother Walter Shoup, of Ringtown.
Grace is survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service, which will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 23rd at the Aurand Memorial United Methodist Church in Ringtown. A time for visitation with Grace's family will be from 10-11 AM in the Church.
Grace will be laid to rest alongside her husband in the United Methodist Cemetery , following the service.
The Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home is assisting Grace's family during this time of need.
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Born in Schuylkill County, PA he was the son of Viola Moyer and Paul Adam Gouldner.
Ron was a proud Marine having served in Vietnam from 1968-1975 with the 3rd Recon Battalion. He was a parachutist constantly being deployed (with his team of 5 other men) by helicopter deep inside NVA held territory on intel gathering missions. These missions lasted 5-6 days with a 2-day break to restock and go over intel for the next mission. Ron was an outstanding Recon Marine and a valuable team member who could always be counted on to carry out more than his fair share of duties. He was awarded with a Vietnam Service Medal, Campaign Medal, Cross of Gallantry, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and Parachutist Insignia.
Ron worked many years at Reazor Custom Woodworking making cabinetry in Reading, Pa. It was a job he truly loved, but the progression of his Parkinson’s disease forced him to retire early.
He loved eating burgers at the Café Waldorf in Reading, chatting and hanging out with his good friends there.
Ron attended Glad Tidings Church in West Lawn with friends and other veterans. That is where he met his Savior that truly changed his life. It was a sermon series in January 2019 called “Reset”. He said I need to do a reset of my life and prayed that day.
He was also an active attendee at Veterans Making a Difference…a veteran center in Reading with a mission of veterans helping other veterans. He made many close friends there.
Thank you to the true angels on earth that he met at the Wyomissing Health and Rehab Center.
Ron is survived by his son Ronald Leymeister, husband of Eleanor Readinger and one child Tristan Martin. Also, a son Kevin Gouldner, husband of Mona and 3 children.
In addition, 3 sisters, Barb Reed, wife of the late Arthur Reed, Pat Reynolds wife of Patrick, Pam Ebling, wife of Len and 1 brother Jim Gouldner husband of Rhonda. Ron had a brother Thomas who died at birth. Also, surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Monday, July 25th, 2022 at 10:00 am at Grabowski Funeral Home 75 Memorial Drive, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972, burial will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Friends and family are welcome from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Veterans Making a Difference 2412 Spring Street, West Lawn, PA 19609.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
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