Skook News Obituaries: July 30th, 2022
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
------------------------------------------------------
Jane was born April 2, 1947, in Pottsville, to George "Speedy" Dronick and Mary Plesnarski Dronick. She graduated from Nativity BVM High School in 1965 and attended Penn State University, graduating in 1969 with a BA in social welfare. She attended University of Pittsburgh for her graduate degree in social work. She found a great deal of fulfillment in her career as a social worker, supporting individuals healing after a stroke at Allied Services/John Heinz Institute in Wilkes-Barre.
She raised her two children, Matthew and Leah, in Mountain Top. She retired in 2010 and prided herself on her traveling, spending time in Burlington, Vermont, with Leah and her family, and in Boulder, Colorado, with Matthew and his family. She moved to Colorado in 2012 to be closer to her grandchildren. In her new hometown of Erie, Colorado, she built a wonderful circle of friends through the Community Recreation Center's Senior Program. She socialized every morning during water aerobics and continuing into the coffee room. She discovered they ran bus trips for seniors and was soon adventuring all over, exploring the state and creating lasting friendships. Every Thanksgiving, she would join Matthew and Becky in a cabin in a new area of the state, a favorite family tradition.
When Leah and her husband, Chris, moved to Indianapolis, Ind., she took up her travels again and moved there to help care for their new child. She then followed them to Cleveland, Ohio, where she resided for the last year of her life.
Jane was devoted to her friends and family. Every year, she would make the trek across the U.S. to see her friends and annually spent several months in Pennsylvania, staying with her friends and family there.
As an avid reader, the library was one of her favorite places. She was a loyal sports fan with a special place in her heart for the Penn State Nittany Lions and NASCAR racing. Jane was a lifelong learner. She sought out museums and visitor's centers and had an insatiable thirst for local and national history. When her nose wasn't in a book, Jane was in the woods. Throughout her life, she was a cross country skier, hiked the Pennsylvania section of the Appalachian Trail, went snowshoeing and camping with her grandchildren (in a tent!) and visited dozens of state and national parks. She passed her love of the great outdoors to her children. Both Leah and Matthew fondly recall annual hiking trips up Hawk Mountain as a favorite childhood memory.
Jane had many titles, but her favorite was "Nana Jane." She adored her three grandchildren: Adelynn, Emerson and Ronin. She had special relationships with each child and undoubtedly helped shape them into the people they are today. She was Addy's top fan at school events, dance shows and recitals. She always had a hidden stash of chocolate in her apartment just for Emerson. And in Ronin's book, she was the best snuggler in the house.
Jane was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Rosalie.
She is survived by her son, Matthew and his wife, Rebecca; her daughter, Leah and her husband, Chris; a brother, George Dronick and his spouse, Denise; two sisters, Mary Ann Strenkoski and Geraldine Whiteash; three grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Requiem Divine Liturday will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, Aug. 9, in St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 415 Front Street, Minersville. Interment will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Branch Township. A memorial service will be held in Colorado at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Erie, Colorado Community Library or the Pottsville Free Public Library. Dutcavich Funeral Home has charge of local arrangements.
------------------------------------------------------
Born Tuesday, August 20, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the son of the late John Joseph Weiss Sr. John was raised by his paternal grandmother, Catherine Weiss.
John served his country honorably as a member of the United States Marine Corp. during the Vietnam War. He was a barber by trade.
Interment will be in Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Annville, Pennsylvania.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
------------------------------------------------------
Born Thursday, August 23, 1956 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania the son of the late Franklin, and Pauline (Fulton) Stidham. Donny was also predeceased by his beloved wife, Kimberly (Haldeman) Stidham on December 10, 2020.
Surviving are son, Robert J. Stidham and his companion Tina Sullivan; brother, Franklin "Jay" Stidham and his wife Lorraine; grandaughter, Rhyla Stidham; mother-in-law, Joan Haldeman; sister-in-laws, Pam wife of Clem McCarroll; Dana wife of Paul Valentine, Susan wife of Ernie Henritzy; nieces and nephews; Cheryl A. Sitlinger and her husband Matt, Stacey Hadden, Jay Stidham and his wife Noelle, Courtney and Justin McCarroll, Derek, Chelsey, and Devan Valentine, Hudson Henritzy. Many great nieces and nephews also survive Donny.
A 1974 Tamaqua Area High School graduate, Donny matriculated to McCann's School of Business in Mahanoy City earning an associates in accounting. Donny worked for the former Tamaqua Home Savings & Loan until it's merger with M&T Bank. Returning to school, Donny earned an IT certification from Lincoln Technical School. Donny began working at the J.C. Penny Distribution Center, until his recent employment with West Port Manufacturing in Alburtis.
Donny was a youth soccer coach and animal lover, especially his dachshunds. He also enjoyed making stained glass, and gardening. After taking ill Donny reveled in the glow of his great nieces and nephews, and enjoyed passing the days on his brother Jays patio in Owl Creek. Donny was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tamaqua, and volunteered at the S.P.C.A..
Pending arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Memorials in his name to:
Tamaqua/Carbon American Cancer society
33 West Ridge Street
Lansford, Pennsylvania 18232
or
Ruth Steinert S.P.C.A.
18 Wertz Drive
Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 17963
------------------------------------------------------
Born in Reading on June 3, 1948, he was a son of the late Robert Eshbach, Sr. & Mary Ruth (Carrigen) Eshbach.
He was married to his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Kay (Trout) Eshbach.
Jim attended Oley Valley High School.
He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Jim was the former president and co-owner of his family's masonry business, Eshbach Brothers; where he worked as a third generation bricklayer until his retirement. He was a member of the Local 21 Reading Chapter of Bricklayers Union for more than 50 years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Lisa, wife of James Hartz, of Schuylkill Haven; two granddaughters: Kelsey Faust, wife of Zack, Schuylkill Haven, and Kayla Hartz, Fogelsville, one great-grandson "Baby Faust", due to arrive any day, three sisters: Margaret Jackowski, Robin Hartman, & Jean Eshbach, three brothers: Edwin Eshbach, Robert Eshbach, Jr. & Chris Eshbach, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jim is preceded in death by his sister, Rosemary Eshbach, and brothers: Bert, Mark, & David Eshbach.
Jim was an avid golfer. He was a very devoted family man; and was especially proud of his role as "Pap". He was excited to become a great-grandfather in the coming days. Trips to Myrtle Beach with his beloved family were some of his most cherished moments.
A viewing will be held at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven, from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 31st.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held Monday, August 1st at the church with Pastor Larry Laine officiating at 11 a.m. An additional time for viewing will be held at the church Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Interment will be held privately.
At the family's request, donations in Jim's memory may be forwarded to Jerusalem Lutheran Church 252 Dock Street Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
To extend online condolences, visit www.gsesfuneralhomes.com
Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven, has been entrusted with arrangements.
---------------------------------------------------
Born in Schuylkill Haven, on May 5, 1921, a daughter of the late Ethel Mae (Hummel) and Harry L. Burkert.
She was the widow of Kenneth M. Confehr, who passed away in April 2011.
Jean was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School. She was formerly employed by Pennsylvania National Bank as a bookkeeper.
She is survived by her daughter Nancy Berkowitz, Center Valley, grandsons: Stephen Berkowitz, Allentown, & Mark Berkowitz husband of Lisa, and their four children: Samantha, Mark, Jr., Noah, & Dylan, all of Center Valley.
Services and interment are private at the convenience of family.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Schuylkill Haven Library 104 St. John Street Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 or Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901 or Sacred Heart Senior Living Center, 4851 Saucon Creek Road, Center Valley PA 18034 or Family Pillars Hospice, 3910 Adler Place, Suite 130, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
Geschwindt Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven has been entrusted with the arrangements.
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
t