Skook News Obituaries: August 10th, 2022
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Paul was born in Locust Valley on June 3, 1938, a son of the late Maude (Herring) and George Yost.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Mahanoy City.
He attended Mahanoy City High School.
Paul served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was stationed at Romulus Seneca Ordnance Depot.
He worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Cicone Construction, Elcho Hausman Construction and Eastern Industries.
Paul belonged to Mahanoy City Moose, Mahanoy City Social Club, the North American Hunting Club, the NRA, and the Locust valley and Park Crest Fish and Game.
Paul’s top love was his Grandchildren and his pets, listening to Magic Mike Polka Show every Sunday. He enjoyed hunting fishing and horseback riding. He was known for his pickles and hot peppers.
He was husband of the late Evelyn (Kasper) Yost.
Paul is survived by a daughter, Marie, wife of James Fazio, of Ohio, a son, Paul, husband of Michelle (Dunsavage) Yost, of Barnesville; and by 7 Grandchildren, 2 Great Grandchildren. Nieces and nephews. Brother and sister inlaws.
He is preceded in death by a sister Ruth Wargo, a nephew John Mark Frye, and a niece Faye Smith.
Friends and family may call Wednesday 10 to 12 noon at Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc.
Interment at will take place in the National Cemetery Fort Indiantown Gap Annville, PA.
Family prefers donations to Hillside SPCA.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book, view the tribute video and send sympathy cards.
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Born in Pottsville, PA on March 11,1939, Betty was a daughter of the late John Oler and Anna (Yurdock) Oler-Freiler. A 1947 graduate of the former Blythe Township School, she started her employment years as a sewing machine operator at the State Manufacturing Company in New Philadelphia. Betty retired from Manor Care where she had been employed as a CNA. She was a member of The Parish of St. John XXIII, Tamaqua, PA. Betty loved to read, garden, cook, and bake. Her nieces and nephews knew that she would greet them with candy when they came to visit.
Betty is survived by sisters, Florence Keip of Brockton, Dorothy Harvilicz of Pottsville, PA, and Eleanor Reed of Kaska, PA as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
She was predeceased by a sister, Jeanette Snyder.
Services will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua. Interment in St. Bartholmew Cemetery, Brockton will follow the services. Call 9-10 AM on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials in Betty’s name may be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua, PA18252.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
John Herbert Raffa, 83, of Trestle Court, Pine Grove, passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at home.
Born on May 7, 1939 in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was a son of the late John Milton and Wilma Rebecca Bade Raffa.
He was an Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam War. While in the service, he was in the Army Band and played in the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1964.
John was a Plant Manager for various companies. After he retired, he obtained his Captain's license and Chartered fishing trips at Lake Ontario.
He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven and the Schuylkill Lodge #138.
Surviving are his wife of 59 1/2 years, Judith Rhoades Raffa; two sons, John M. Raffa II and wife Judy of Pottsville, James G. Raffa and wife Carol of Tamaqua; a grandson, Zachary Bryce Raffa; a sister, Wilma Ann Woodland of Port St. Lucie, FL.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family with Layman Richard Seyfert officiating. Interment will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, 18 Wertz Dr., Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 or Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, Pa. 17901 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements.
Dennis D. Yezulinas, 57, of Shenandoah passed away at his residence on Saturday morning, August 6, 2022.
Dennis was born in Pottsville on January 25, 1965 to the late Margaret L. (Hennessy) Yezulinas and the late Joseph A. Yezulinas.
Raised in Shenandoah, Dennis participated in youth football playing for the Shenandoah Vice Presidents. He was educated at the former Annunciation BVM Catholic School, Cardinal Brennan High School, and was a 1983 graduate of State College High School.
Upon graduation, Dennis enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1983 until 1986 when he was honorably discharged.
On May 9, 1987, he married the former Virginia L Andrewsky. They later raised two children together, Dennis and Desiree.
Dennis had a successful career as a corrections officer at the State Correctional Institution in Frackville. He attained the rank of sergeant in 1996 and retired in 2005. He was later employed with Jeld-Wen in Ringtown and St. Clair Walmart.
He was of the Catholic faith and a former member of the Annunciation BVM Church in Shenandoah.
Dennis enjoyed watching Penn State football, going to the movies and visiting national parks, and spending time with his children and brother, as well as socializing with his friends at the One Stop.
Dennis was a devoted, loving father, a strong provider, and was selfless, witty and kind. You could count on him to provide advice, support, or just an ear to listen through good and bad times and was always just a phone call away.
His proudest achievement in life was becoming a father, a role in which he always excelled at and outdid himself. His children will forever cherish, love, and greatly miss him.
Surviving are his son, Dennis of Scranton; his daughter, Desiree and her fiancé Ethan Brown of
Schuylkill Haven; former wife and close confidant, Virginia Yezulinas of Lost Creek; brother, Joseph T. Yezulinas of Shenandoah; and numerous cousins, in-laws and friends.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were uncles George, Peter, John, and Alex Yezulinas; aunts Mrs. Ann Dunlap, Mrs. Dorothy Yezulinas and Mrs. Anel Yezulinas; and numerous cousins.
Religious and scripture services will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah with Rev. Mindy Heppe officiating. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the funeral home.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
The Life of Harold R Holzer
Good Morning. If you're reading this, you need to know my Lord and Savior has called me home. Praise be to God!
So, here's everything you need to know about me. No worries … there won't be a multiple choice test at the end.
On Oct. 25, 1947, I was born in Pottsville, Pa., as Harold Raymond Holzer, son of my loving parents, the late Naomi "Nonny" Holzer and Harold "Mickey" Holzer. I graduated from Pottsville High School in 1965 and from Kutztown State College in 1969, with a Bachelor's degree in math education. I assumed the nickname "Hal," while obtaining my Master's degree in Theater, from Villanova in 1975. At that time, I was teaching math at Spring-Ford Middle School, where I taught from 1969 to 2003 and was also the drum and color guard instructor, play director, and briefly editor of the school paper. I also taught part-time at Montgomery County Community College, from 1977 to 2008.
I am survived by my brother, Bob and his wife, Kim, of Port Carbon, Pa., by my niece, Jennifer Stamm and her son, Gage. I am also survived by my cousins, Beverly Munz and Kathleen Piccioni and their families, by Kim's son, Scott, and his family, by my beloved cat Gucci, and by decades of cherished and treasured friendships, who brought so much love and support to my life. But none more than my lifelong best friend, Marty Johnson, with whom I shared a stage and math classes, as far back as 1965, at Kutztown State College. Together, as friends, we tackled the challenges of being gay in a straight world.
I always felt incredibly blessed to have had two careers, teaching and a theater avocation, each bringing me great immeasurable joy and allowing me to give back to the communities where I lived. It is decades overdue to finally thank some teachers who shaped my life, especially these three inspirational math teachers, Miss Discavage, Mr. Bill Flynn, and Mr. Benjamin Liddle, all of Pottsville High School. To have all this and a vibrant spiritual life, currently guided by the wise and compassionate Dave Hakes, Pastor of Daybreak Community Church, is almost an embarrassment of riches. It is at Daybreak Community Church that I also played drums and sang with the church's praise team for 14 years.
My other passions were disco, country-line and tap dancing, marching bands, being a member of the Reading Buccaneers drum and bugle corps, band front rifle and flag instruction, drumming, aerobics, travel, and days at the beach. My highest profile activity was community and School Theater. At my beloved Forge Theater, of Phoenixville, I was involved in over 100 productions as an actor, director, musician, set designer, and board member. Professionally, as a member of the Screen Actors Guild, I had several minor roles on TV and film, but most noteworthy was directing an East Coast touring company of "Into the Woods," starring Jo Anne Worley and working with Alec Baldwin on an actor's workshop production of "Inherit the Wind." My artistic efforts were often rewarded as best production and best director at Forge Theater, the Barley Sheaf Players and the Bucks County Playhouse school theater festival.
None of this would have been possible without the impossibly wonderful gifts from my God of family, friends, talents, opportunities, and the ability to be vulnerable, compassionate, giving, devoted, and authentically appreciative of all those treasures. No gift was so important as family and especially none more important than my Brother, Bob. Together we have always been there for each other and for our loving parents, in their waning days. He's been with me on every step of my journey, since my August 2018 cancer and stroke diagnosis. He and I talked every night, ending each call in prayer, with The Lord's Prayer. Bob always called me his Hero ... I called him my Rock. I believe in my heart of hearts there is no better Brother - may he have a long and healthy life and many years to enjoy his loving family.
Well, it is time to sign off ... On to bigger and better things with my God ... and a wonderful family reunion that awaits. So, until we meet again. Love, Hal.
A Celebration of Life is being planned, to be held at Forge Theater, of Phoenixville. Details will be announced when plans have been finalized.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Hal's memory be made to Forge Theater, PO Box 474, Phoenixville, PA 19460, or to the American Cancer Society - (PA) Philadelphia, PO Box 30386, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or www.cancer.org.
John F. Gnidzinski, 74, of McAdoo, passed away suddenly July 12, 2022, at his home.
Born in McAdoo, he was the son of Joseph and Fannie (Scislaw) Gnidzinski.
He was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul PNC Church, McAdoo.
John was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed walking, hiking and fishing.
Preceding him in death, were his sisters, infant June Gnidzinski, and Irene Waak, brother Joseph Gnidzinski, Sr. and nephew Joseph Gnidzinski, Jr.
Surviving are his sisters Marion Sobolewski, McAdoo, and Carol Museousky and husband Thomas, Kline Twp.; brother-in-law Steve Waak, McAdoo; and nieces and nephews.
Rev. Boguslaw Janiec will celebrate the funeral mass on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Ss. Peter and Paul PNC Church, McAdoo. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.
Calling hours are Wednesday, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church.
The Damiano Funeral Home, Inc., McAdoo, is assisting the family with arrangements.
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Born on May 7, 1939 in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was a son of the late John Milton and Wilma Rebecca Bade Raffa.
He was an Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam War. While in the service, he was in the Army Band and played in the Tournament of Roses Parade in 1964.
John was a Plant Manager for various companies. After he retired, he obtained his Captain's license and Chartered fishing trips at Lake Ontario.
He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven and the Schuylkill Lodge #138.
Surviving are his wife of 59 1/2 years, Judith Rhoades Raffa; two sons, John M. Raffa II and wife Judy of Pottsville, James G. Raffa and wife Carol of Tamaqua; a grandson, Zachary Bryce Raffa; a sister, Wilma Ann Woodland of Port St. Lucie, FL.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family with Layman Richard Seyfert officiating. Interment will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, 18 Wertz Dr., Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 or Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, Pa. 17901 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements.
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Dennis was born in Pottsville on January 25, 1965 to the late Margaret L. (Hennessy) Yezulinas and the late Joseph A. Yezulinas.
Raised in Shenandoah, Dennis participated in youth football playing for the Shenandoah Vice Presidents. He was educated at the former Annunciation BVM Catholic School, Cardinal Brennan High School, and was a 1983 graduate of State College High School.
Upon graduation, Dennis enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1983 until 1986 when he was honorably discharged.
On May 9, 1987, he married the former Virginia L Andrewsky. They later raised two children together, Dennis and Desiree.
Dennis had a successful career as a corrections officer at the State Correctional Institution in Frackville. He attained the rank of sergeant in 1996 and retired in 2005. He was later employed with Jeld-Wen in Ringtown and St. Clair Walmart.
He was of the Catholic faith and a former member of the Annunciation BVM Church in Shenandoah.
Dennis enjoyed watching Penn State football, going to the movies and visiting national parks, and spending time with his children and brother, as well as socializing with his friends at the One Stop.
Dennis was a devoted, loving father, a strong provider, and was selfless, witty and kind. You could count on him to provide advice, support, or just an ear to listen through good and bad times and was always just a phone call away.
His proudest achievement in life was becoming a father, a role in which he always excelled at and outdid himself. His children will forever cherish, love, and greatly miss him.
Surviving are his son, Dennis of Scranton; his daughter, Desiree and her fiancé Ethan Brown of
Schuylkill Haven; former wife and close confidant, Virginia Yezulinas of Lost Creek; brother, Joseph T. Yezulinas of Shenandoah; and numerous cousins, in-laws and friends.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were uncles George, Peter, John, and Alex Yezulinas; aunts Mrs. Ann Dunlap, Mrs. Dorothy Yezulinas and Mrs. Anel Yezulinas; and numerous cousins.
Religious and scripture services will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah with Rev. Mindy Heppe officiating. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the funeral home.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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So, here's everything you need to know about me. No worries … there won't be a multiple choice test at the end.
On Oct. 25, 1947, I was born in Pottsville, Pa., as Harold Raymond Holzer, son of my loving parents, the late Naomi "Nonny" Holzer and Harold "Mickey" Holzer. I graduated from Pottsville High School in 1965 and from Kutztown State College in 1969, with a Bachelor's degree in math education. I assumed the nickname "Hal," while obtaining my Master's degree in Theater, from Villanova in 1975. At that time, I was teaching math at Spring-Ford Middle School, where I taught from 1969 to 2003 and was also the drum and color guard instructor, play director, and briefly editor of the school paper. I also taught part-time at Montgomery County Community College, from 1977 to 2008.
I am survived by my brother, Bob and his wife, Kim, of Port Carbon, Pa., by my niece, Jennifer Stamm and her son, Gage. I am also survived by my cousins, Beverly Munz and Kathleen Piccioni and their families, by Kim's son, Scott, and his family, by my beloved cat Gucci, and by decades of cherished and treasured friendships, who brought so much love and support to my life. But none more than my lifelong best friend, Marty Johnson, with whom I shared a stage and math classes, as far back as 1965, at Kutztown State College. Together, as friends, we tackled the challenges of being gay in a straight world.
I always felt incredibly blessed to have had two careers, teaching and a theater avocation, each bringing me great immeasurable joy and allowing me to give back to the communities where I lived. It is decades overdue to finally thank some teachers who shaped my life, especially these three inspirational math teachers, Miss Discavage, Mr. Bill Flynn, and Mr. Benjamin Liddle, all of Pottsville High School. To have all this and a vibrant spiritual life, currently guided by the wise and compassionate Dave Hakes, Pastor of Daybreak Community Church, is almost an embarrassment of riches. It is at Daybreak Community Church that I also played drums and sang with the church's praise team for 14 years.
My other passions were disco, country-line and tap dancing, marching bands, being a member of the Reading Buccaneers drum and bugle corps, band front rifle and flag instruction, drumming, aerobics, travel, and days at the beach. My highest profile activity was community and School Theater. At my beloved Forge Theater, of Phoenixville, I was involved in over 100 productions as an actor, director, musician, set designer, and board member. Professionally, as a member of the Screen Actors Guild, I had several minor roles on TV and film, but most noteworthy was directing an East Coast touring company of "Into the Woods," starring Jo Anne Worley and working with Alec Baldwin on an actor's workshop production of "Inherit the Wind." My artistic efforts were often rewarded as best production and best director at Forge Theater, the Barley Sheaf Players and the Bucks County Playhouse school theater festival.
None of this would have been possible without the impossibly wonderful gifts from my God of family, friends, talents, opportunities, and the ability to be vulnerable, compassionate, giving, devoted, and authentically appreciative of all those treasures. No gift was so important as family and especially none more important than my Brother, Bob. Together we have always been there for each other and for our loving parents, in their waning days. He's been with me on every step of my journey, since my August 2018 cancer and stroke diagnosis. He and I talked every night, ending each call in prayer, with The Lord's Prayer. Bob always called me his Hero ... I called him my Rock. I believe in my heart of hearts there is no better Brother - may he have a long and healthy life and many years to enjoy his loving family.
Well, it is time to sign off ... On to bigger and better things with my God ... and a wonderful family reunion that awaits. So, until we meet again. Love, Hal.
A Celebration of Life is being planned, to be held at Forge Theater, of Phoenixville. Details will be announced when plans have been finalized.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Hal's memory be made to Forge Theater, PO Box 474, Phoenixville, PA 19460, or to the American Cancer Society - (PA) Philadelphia, PO Box 30386, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or www.cancer.org.
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John F. Gnidzinski, 74, of McAdoo, passed away suddenly July 12, 2022, at his home.
Born in McAdoo, he was the son of Joseph and Fannie (Scislaw) Gnidzinski.
He was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul PNC Church, McAdoo.
John was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed walking, hiking and fishing.
Preceding him in death, were his sisters, infant June Gnidzinski, and Irene Waak, brother Joseph Gnidzinski, Sr. and nephew Joseph Gnidzinski, Jr.
Surviving are his sisters Marion Sobolewski, McAdoo, and Carol Museousky and husband Thomas, Kline Twp.; brother-in-law Steve Waak, McAdoo; and nieces and nephews.
Rev. Boguslaw Janiec will celebrate the funeral mass on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Ss. Peter and Paul PNC Church, McAdoo. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.
Calling hours are Wednesday, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church.
The Damiano Funeral Home, Inc., McAdoo, is assisting the family with arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
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