Skook News Obituaries: July 5th, 2022
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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A 1952 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Richard served in the Navy from 1955-1957. A licensed insurance agent, he owned and operated the Clarence J. Koch Insurance Agency which he sold to the Tamaqua Insurance Agency where he continued to work for 10 years. Richard was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua.
In addition to his wife Barbara, he is survived by a son, Thomas R. Koch and his wife, Carol of Auburn, PA; daughter, Barbara Feege and her husband Edward of Severna Park, MD; grandchildren, Jennifer Kalonick, Justin Koch and his wife Stephanie, and Emily Feege; great grandchildren, Averie, Caine, Gibson, and Cooper; and sister, Phyllis K. Lane of Hazleton, PA.
Services will be private.
Memorials in Richard’s name may be made to St. John Lutheran Church-Window Fund, c/o St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 Mauch Chunk Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Born in Quakake, PA on January 31, 1934, Edna was a daughter of the late Harold and Ruth (Ashfield) Blew. She worked in the garment industry as a sewer. Edna was a member of Christ United Church of Christ, Barnesville; the Tamaqua Eastern Star; the Tamaqua Senior Citizens; the Rush/Ryan Seniors; and the Red Hat Society.
She is survived by son, Thomas Fegley and his wife Susan of Quakake; daughter, Marlene Peyre-Ferry and her husband Robert of Westville, NJ; grandchildren, Kent, Brandon, Chad, Jordan, Jillian, and Timothy; great grandchildren, Ava, Myla, Bryce, Luke, and Morgan; brother, William Blew of Elizabethtown, PA; and sisters, Dolores Walck of Hometown and Darlene Nee of Florida.
Predeceasing her in addition to her husband, were a son Timothy Fegley in 2005; brothers, James Blew and Robert Blew; and sister, Betty McCutcheon. Services will be held at 11 AM on Monday, July 11, 2022, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA.
Interment in the White Church Cemetery, Barnesville will follow the service. Call 9-11 AM Monday at the funeral home. Memorials in Edna's name may be made to St. Lukes Hospice, Development Office, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Shane M. Frank, Sr., 59, of Pottsville, passed away Sunday, July 3rd, at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest, Allentown.
James R. Pope, 69, of Lake Wynonah, passed away on June 30th at his residence.
Born in Pottsville on January 9, 1953, he was a son of Spencer G. and the late Carolyn (Rhoads) Pope, Jr.
He was a 1971 graduate of Pottsville High School.
Jim worked at Pope Motor Co., George Lynn Contracting, and Ost & Ost as a machinist for 10 years, retiring in 1988.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a brother, William A. on June 13, 2020.
Jim is survived by three daughters: Amanda Dunham, of Eagles Mere, PA; Rebecca Pope, of North Granby, CT; and Abigail Pope, of Upper Saddle River, NJ; grandchildren: Isabella, Ava, Jager, Jackson, Cooper, Sophia and Christopher; brothers: Spencer G. Pope III, of Auburn and Andrew R. Pope, husband of Denise, of Pottsville; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
The family request contributions in Jim’s memory be sent to: Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St., Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of the arrangements.
Mary S. Hendricks, 90, of Minersville, formerly of Llewellyn, Branch Township, passed away at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, on Saturday.
Born on April 22, 1932, in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (nee Onufer) Spolski. She attended Branch Township schools and worked as a nurse’s aide at the former Rest Haven Home and Hospital, retiring in 1992.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Llewellyn. She was also a member of the AFSCME Retiree Chapter and a former member of the Llewellyn AMVETS Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clair W. Hendricks, in 1988; a son, Craig Hendricks, in 2021. She was also preceded in death by six siblings, Joseph, Andrew, Anna, Stanley and John Spolski, and Kathryn Wirzbicki.
Mary is survived by her remaining children, Thomas Hendricks (spouse, Sharon), Minersville, Sandra Melusky, Minersville, Kenneth (spouse, Mary), Kettle Falls, Wash., Rosemary Tiffin (spouse, Malcolm), Schuylkill Haven, Michael Hendricks (spouse, Deb Rosenberger), Llewellyn, Robert Hendricks (spouse, Alicia Walcott), Minersville, Dana Moyer (spouse, William), Cressona, Lisa Hendricks (spouse, William Schinkel), Llewellyn, and Sherri Conshue (spouse, Mark), Minersville; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her remaining sibling, Sophie Clark, Virginia; nieces and nephews.
Mary raised her ten children in Llewellyn, moving to Minersville later in life. Among her greatest joys were family reunions, getting to see her family together, including those who lived away.
Anyone who met her would immediately discover that she had a great sense of humor, always ready for a good time and a good laugh. She loved to travel. All someone had to ask was “Do you want to go?” and she was ready. In her later years, she earned the title of “Queen of QVC Shopping”. What will they do without her?
“Mom”, as she was known to family and friends alike, will be greatly missed, especially by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family will accept visitors at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Friday from 6:00 P.M. and on Saturday from 6:00 A.M. until services at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park, North Manheim Township. Visit www.dutcavich.com.
Joseph M. Truskolasky, 75 of Park Place Road, Park Place, Mahanoy City and a former resident of Shenandoah passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at his residence. His wife, Regina C. Truskolasky, age 79 of Park Place, affectionately known as "Mom Mom" and "Jeanie Van Horn" passed away on Saturday July 11, 2020 at their residence.
Graveside services for Joseph and Regina will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 12:00 Noon in the German Protestant Cemetery, Mahanoy City. Deacon John Setlock will officiate.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
Maryann D. (Puza) Toborowsky, 82 of Shenandoah Heights passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2022 at Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital, Orwigsburg.
Born in Shenandoah on July 6, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Lillian (Mescavage) Puza.
She was a 1956 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah. She also attended Empire Beauty School, Pottsville where she earned a certificate as a nail technician.
On August 29, 1959 in the former St. George’s Church, Shenandoah, she married Robert “Bob” Toborowsky who survives.
Earlier in life, she worked in the local garment industry and was a member of the ILGWU. Maryann also worked in catering with local establishments. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by the former Kmart, Schuylkill Mall, Frackville. In addition, for a short time, she was employed as a nail technician for Betty Ann Bugden's Total Image Salon, Shenandoah.
Maryann was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah where she served as a eucharistic minister. Prior to its closing, she was a member of Saint George’s Church where she sang on the church choir and was a member of the Rosary and Sacred Heart Societies. She was also a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens.
Maryann was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed traveling, bingo and visits to local casinos. Above all else, her family was of most importance to her.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her brother, Casimir F. “Caz” Puza and two aunts, Mary Godynick and Anna Mescavage.
Surviving in addition to her husband of almost sixty-three years, Robert “Bob” Toborowsky are her daughter, Cheryl Ann Readler and her husband Jamine with their daughter, Maryann’s granddaughter, Alexandria “Alex” all of Mountain Top; her brother, Joseph Puza of Turkey Run, Shenandoah; her sister-in-law, Rita Sherakas of Shenandoah Heights; her nephew, Paul Sherakas and his wife Donna; her niece, Karen Stadden and her husband Dave; cousins and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 10:30 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Dawn Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held at Divine Mercy Church on Thursday morning from 9:30 am until 10:30 am.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
LaRue Helen Machamer, age 84, of E Main Street, Hegins, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2022 at her residence with her son by her side.
She was born on Thursday, March 10, 1938, in Klingerstown, the eldest daughter of Rue O Erdman and Helen S (Romberger) Erdman.
LaRue was a 1956 graduate of Tri-Valley High School. She received her teaching degree from Kutztown University.
LaRue was married to Robert M Machamer, Sr in November of 1963 and celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary prior to his passing.
She taught grade school at Hegins Hubley Elementary in the Tri-Valley School District for over thirty-five years and enjoyed teaching reading to the young children.
She was a member of Friedens Lutheran Church, Hegins.
She was also a member of Order of Eastern Star Glen Chapter 425, Lykens, the D-U-T-C-H Red Hatters, and the Tri-Valley Senior Citizens.
LaRue had a zest for life. She treasured the beauty of the earth. She cherished her beloved Brittany, Katie. She relished reading romance novels. She enjoyed traveling with her husband (and later with the Senior Citizens) to various places and old world countries.
Her husband, Robert M Machamer, Sr, passed away in 2012. She was also preceded in death by her parents; and by a brother, Rue O Erdman, Jr.
She is survived by son, Robert M Machamer, Jr of Hegins; two sisters, Stella H Bingaman of Dalmatia, and Sandy H Long of Milton; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, 200 W Main St, Valley View PA 17983 on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Lee Diefenderfer officiating.
A viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday at the funeral home.
Burial will be made in St. Michael's Cemetery, 48 Main St, Klingerstown.
Robert “Jim” James Shivelhood Jr, left his earthly body to be with his Lord and Savior on July 4th, 2022 at his home in Palmyra, PA. He was born on his father’s birthday, January 5th, 1960 to the late Robert J and Margaret J (Kerner) Shivelhood in Landsdale, PA.
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Born in Pottsville on September 19, 1962, he was the son of the late Peggy (Kelly) Frank and Jerry Frank husband of Jane, of Pottsville.
Shane graduated from Blue Mountain High School in 1980. He then worked as a machinist at Precision Roll Grinders for 32 years.
His love of racing began following his father and was the founder of Glory Days of Racing on Facebook. He was also an avid sports fan, following the New York Jets, Cincinnati Reds and Notre Dame.
Shane is survived by his children; Lindsay Frank and her boyfriend Drew Campbell, of Carlisle; Shane Frank Jr., husband of Stephanie, of Mechanicsburg; grandson Gavin Frank; three sisters, Patti Reichert, of Pottsville;Shelly Renninger, of Pottsville; Terry Frank, and a brother, Robert Frank, husband of Veta, of Pottsville.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 6:30 PM on Thursday, July 7th at Ebling-Stabingas Funeral Home in Cressona. A viewing will be held from 5:00 PM until the time of service. Interment will be held privately at the family's convenience.
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James R. Pope, 69, of Lake Wynonah, passed away on June 30th at his residence.
Born in Pottsville on January 9, 1953, he was a son of Spencer G. and the late Carolyn (Rhoads) Pope, Jr.
He was a 1971 graduate of Pottsville High School.
Jim worked at Pope Motor Co., George Lynn Contracting, and Ost & Ost as a machinist for 10 years, retiring in 1988.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a brother, William A. on June 13, 2020.
Jim is survived by three daughters: Amanda Dunham, of Eagles Mere, PA; Rebecca Pope, of North Granby, CT; and Abigail Pope, of Upper Saddle River, NJ; grandchildren: Isabella, Ava, Jager, Jackson, Cooper, Sophia and Christopher; brothers: Spencer G. Pope III, of Auburn and Andrew R. Pope, husband of Denise, of Pottsville; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
The family request contributions in Jim’s memory be sent to: Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St., Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born on April 22, 1932, in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (nee Onufer) Spolski. She attended Branch Township schools and worked as a nurse’s aide at the former Rest Haven Home and Hospital, retiring in 1992.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Llewellyn. She was also a member of the AFSCME Retiree Chapter and a former member of the Llewellyn AMVETS Auxiliary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clair W. Hendricks, in 1988; a son, Craig Hendricks, in 2021. She was also preceded in death by six siblings, Joseph, Andrew, Anna, Stanley and John Spolski, and Kathryn Wirzbicki.
Mary is survived by her remaining children, Thomas Hendricks (spouse, Sharon), Minersville, Sandra Melusky, Minersville, Kenneth (spouse, Mary), Kettle Falls, Wash., Rosemary Tiffin (spouse, Malcolm), Schuylkill Haven, Michael Hendricks (spouse, Deb Rosenberger), Llewellyn, Robert Hendricks (spouse, Alicia Walcott), Minersville, Dana Moyer (spouse, William), Cressona, Lisa Hendricks (spouse, William Schinkel), Llewellyn, and Sherri Conshue (spouse, Mark), Minersville; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by her remaining sibling, Sophie Clark, Virginia; nieces and nephews.
Mary raised her ten children in Llewellyn, moving to Minersville later in life. Among her greatest joys were family reunions, getting to see her family together, including those who lived away.
Anyone who met her would immediately discover that she had a great sense of humor, always ready for a good time and a good laugh. She loved to travel. All someone had to ask was “Do you want to go?” and she was ready. In her later years, she earned the title of “Queen of QVC Shopping”. What will they do without her?
“Mom”, as she was known to family and friends alike, will be greatly missed, especially by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family will accept visitors at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Friday from 6:00 P.M. and on Saturday from 6:00 A.M. until services at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park, North Manheim Township. Visit www.dutcavich.com.
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Joseph M. Truskolasky, 75 of Park Place Road, Park Place, Mahanoy City and a former resident of Shenandoah passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at his residence. His wife, Regina C. Truskolasky, age 79 of Park Place, affectionately known as "Mom Mom" and "Jeanie Van Horn" passed away on Saturday July 11, 2020 at their residence.
Graveside services for Joseph and Regina will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 12:00 Noon in the German Protestant Cemetery, Mahanoy City. Deacon John Setlock will officiate.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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Born in Shenandoah on July 6, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Lillian (Mescavage) Puza.
She was a 1956 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah. She also attended Empire Beauty School, Pottsville where she earned a certificate as a nail technician.
On August 29, 1959 in the former St. George’s Church, Shenandoah, she married Robert “Bob” Toborowsky who survives.
Earlier in life, she worked in the local garment industry and was a member of the ILGWU. Maryann also worked in catering with local establishments. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by the former Kmart, Schuylkill Mall, Frackville. In addition, for a short time, she was employed as a nail technician for Betty Ann Bugden's Total Image Salon, Shenandoah.
Maryann was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah where she served as a eucharistic minister. Prior to its closing, she was a member of Saint George’s Church where she sang on the church choir and was a member of the Rosary and Sacred Heart Societies. She was also a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens.
Maryann was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed traveling, bingo and visits to local casinos. Above all else, her family was of most importance to her.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her brother, Casimir F. “Caz” Puza and two aunts, Mary Godynick and Anna Mescavage.
Surviving in addition to her husband of almost sixty-three years, Robert “Bob” Toborowsky are her daughter, Cheryl Ann Readler and her husband Jamine with their daughter, Maryann’s granddaughter, Alexandria “Alex” all of Mountain Top; her brother, Joseph Puza of Turkey Run, Shenandoah; her sister-in-law, Rita Sherakas of Shenandoah Heights; her nephew, Paul Sherakas and his wife Donna; her niece, Karen Stadden and her husband Dave; cousins and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 10:30 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Dawn Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held at Divine Mercy Church on Thursday morning from 9:30 am until 10:30 am.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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She was born on Thursday, March 10, 1938, in Klingerstown, the eldest daughter of Rue O Erdman and Helen S (Romberger) Erdman.
LaRue was a 1956 graduate of Tri-Valley High School. She received her teaching degree from Kutztown University.
LaRue was married to Robert M Machamer, Sr in November of 1963 and celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary prior to his passing.
She taught grade school at Hegins Hubley Elementary in the Tri-Valley School District for over thirty-five years and enjoyed teaching reading to the young children.
She was a member of Friedens Lutheran Church, Hegins.
She was also a member of Order of Eastern Star Glen Chapter 425, Lykens, the D-U-T-C-H Red Hatters, and the Tri-Valley Senior Citizens.
LaRue had a zest for life. She treasured the beauty of the earth. She cherished her beloved Brittany, Katie. She relished reading romance novels. She enjoyed traveling with her husband (and later with the Senior Citizens) to various places and old world countries.
Her husband, Robert M Machamer, Sr, passed away in 2012. She was also preceded in death by her parents; and by a brother, Rue O Erdman, Jr.
She is survived by son, Robert M Machamer, Jr of Hegins; two sisters, Stella H Bingaman of Dalmatia, and Sandy H Long of Milton; and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, 200 W Main St, Valley View PA 17983 on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Lee Diefenderfer officiating.
A viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday at the funeral home.
Burial will be made in St. Michael's Cemetery, 48 Main St, Klingerstown.
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At a very young age his family moved to Ashland, PA where he attended elementary school and North Schuylkill HS. Later in life he studied business management at Luzerne County Community College.
On September 1st, 2001 he married the love of his life, Bonnie (Kerstetter) Lytle, at the Church of the Nazarene in Lavelle where they had met. He was a “jack of all trades” with many different jobs which included carpentry, working at Kenny Stehr Farms and becoming a certified coal miner. His employment history also included 13 years at Packaging Resources in Mt Carmel. He later had a career change, becoming certified in propane appliance installation and delivery through the PA Gas Association. He had several management positions in the fuel industry. His final employment was as a fuel truck driver for Superior Plus in Paxinos until 2015 in which health issues put an end to his working days. His favorite hobbies included spending time with family, riding motorcycles, golfing, hunting, fishing and traveling. He especially valued the joy he found in raising his grandson Carter and in the special bond they shared.
Jim is survived by his son, JR Shivelhood (Kate) of Mount Joy and grandsons Carter, Bentley and Hunter. His stepchildren Matthew Lytle of Sunbury, Sherry (Ryan) Petta of Sacramento, CA and Tara (Robert) Davies of Danville and his grandchildren Ahlena, Ian and Chloe Davies and Elise and Gavin Petta.
He is also survived by his sister Kimberly Phelan of Locustdale, one aunt Patricia Hinkle, nieces, great nieces, great nephews and many cousins. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his grandparents George and Amelia Kerner, James and Ethel Shivelhood, brother Edward Shivelhood, brother in-law Steven Phelan, nephew Troy Phelan, and in-laws Chester and Olga Kerstetter.
Family and friends are welcome to Stonington Baptist Church, 2113 Hosta Rd, Paxinos on July 16th for visitation from 11-1 followed by services and interment of cremains in adjoining cemetery. Officiators will include pastors Nathan Clark, Dennis Snyder and Chandler Cutting. A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.
A special thank you to Hospice & Community Care of Lancaster for their tender, compassionate care. Also to our families, friends, and congregations at Stonington Baptist and Lebanon Valley Bible Church for the many prayers, visits, food and cards during the time of his illness.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's memory to Stonington Baptist Church 2113 Hosta Road, Paxinos, PA, 17860
These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
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