Skook News Obituaries: September 15th, 2022
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Frackville on February 5, 1924, she was a daughter of the late John and Emily Harris Kessler.
Leah attended Frackville High School. She was an active member of the Frackville Community, volunteering her time to many organizations including the Bicentennial Committee and was the first woman of the Frackville Recreation Board. Leah was a lifelong member of Trinity ECC, Frackville, where she volunteered as a Sunday school and vacation bible school teacher for over 55 years and was involved in the church’s JOY class. She was a Girl Scout leader for over 25 years and most importantly was a homemaker, raising her children and cherished her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul J. Robbins; her identical twin sister, Lila L. Garber, who passed away the day before Leah’s death; her siblings: John S. Kessler, Sherwood W. Kessler, Kendell H. Kessler, Paul R. Kessler and Emily E. Faust.
Leah is survived by her children: Sherwood K. and his wife Marie Robbins, Frackville; Wayne P. and his wife Christine Robbins, Frackville; Darlene J. Robbins and her husband Terry Mackay, Orwigsburg; her grandchildren: Sherwood P. and his wife Beth Robbins; Scott S. and his wife Melissa Robbins; Wayne P. Robbins II and his wife Jess; Cynthia Robbins and her boyfriend Chris; Samantha Robbins; Courtney and her husband Cole Fasnacht and Corey Whitecavage; her ten great-grandchildren: Katrina, Lauren, Dominique, Daniel, Blake, Ethan, Jocelyn, Cameron, Kingsley and Kade; numerous nieces and nephews.
A combined funeral service for both Leah and Lila will be held on Tuesday, September 20th at 11 a.m. at Trinity ECC, 56 N. Balliet Street, Frackville with Rev. Jeff Merwine, pastor, officiating. Friends are invited to call at the church on Monday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. and again on Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Frackville.
Memorial contributions may be made in Leah’s name to Trinity ECC located at 56 N. Balliet Street Frackville, PA 17931.
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Born in Frackville on February 5, 1924, she was a daughter of the late John and Emily Harris Kessler.
Lila worked as a CNA for Shenandoah Manor Nursing Home for over 30 years before retiring at the age of 77.
She attended Frackville High School, was a member of Trinity ECC, a Girl Scout leader along with her sister Leah, a member of the Ryan Township ladies auxiliary and was an avid hunter.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband John T. Willis and her second husband Theodore J. Garber; her identical twin sister, Leah Robbins, who passed away the day after Lila’s death; her siblings: John S. Kessler, Sherwood W. Kessler, Kendell Kessler, Paul R. Kessler and Emily E. Faust.
Lila is survived by her sons: Willis Garber and his companion Cherie Hadesty, Barnesville; Joel Garber, Mahanoy City; grandchildren: Christopher Hadesty, Jeanette Hadesty, and Deanna Shaw; great-grandchildren: Christopher and Ryan Donnella; several nieces and nephews.
A combined funeral service for both Lila and Leah will be held on Tuesday, September 20th at 11 a.m. at Trinity ECC, 56 N. Balliet Street, Frackville with Rev. Jeff Merwine, pastor, officiating. Friends are invited to call at the church on Monday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. and again on Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Frackville.
Memorial contributions may be made in Lila's name to Trinity ECC located at 56 N. Balliet Street Frackville, PA 17931.
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The daughter of the late John and Catherine (nee Hanley) Devitt, of Lost Creek, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Terrance Dean Wood, formerly of Lost Creek, along with her sisters Dorothy (Hayden) Lehr, Regina (Dan) Maloney, and brother Vincent Devitt.
Born in Lost Creek on October 2, 1932, she was a 1950 graduate of West Mahoney Township High School. She had a great passion for dancing, loved playing bingo, going to the New Jersey Shore, Knoebles, and was a lifelong Phillies and Eagles fan.
She is survived by her son Shawn, and daughter Marie and her husband Matt Glazier, of Coopersburg along with nieces and nephews.
Burial will be in Annunciation B.V.M. Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights at a date to be announced.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville is in charge of arrangements.
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Born Saturday, June 13, 1959 in Rahway, New Jersey the son of the late Jesse, and Rosemarie (Tafro) Gifford.
Surviving in addition to Jennifer are; his son, Jesse Gifford; daughters, Sara Gifford, Jennette Baarsch; sisters, Rosemarie Attilio wife of Robert and Susan Morlino wife of Joseph; 8 grandchildren; nieces, and nephews.
A graduate of Colonia High School in New Jersey, John served his country in the United States Army. Before taking ill, John was an avid pool player. He enjoyed crafting pool sticks, making people laugh and helping anyone he could.
Arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Sunday afternoon September 18, 2022 from their home located at 224 West Cottage Ave. Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252 beginning at 2 o'clock P.M.
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Carole L. (Berresford) Birkelbach, RN, 70 of Ringtown passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Hazleton.
Funeral services will be private.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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Born in Shenandoah, he was the son of the late Alfred and Florence (Wowak) Bright.
He was a 1957 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Al worked in the family plumbing business with his father and would later work for Catholic Housing. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Shenandoah. Al was a lifetime member of the Columbia Hose Fire Company in Shenandoah and was a former Shenandoah Fire Chief. He was also very active in the Schuylkill County Fireman’s Historical Society. Al was a Past Master of the former Shenandoah Masonic Lodge #511 and currently a member of the Pulaski Masonic Lodge #216 of Pottsville.
Al loved antique cars and trucks along with stock cars and go-carts that he raced at various tracks. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he loved Polka dancing.
In addition to his parents, preceding him was his wife Catherine (Cuff) Bright in 2014, a brother, John Henry Bright in 2020, and a sister, Florence “Cookie” Bright at age 17.
Surviving include a sister-in-law – Barbara Bright, nieces and nephews and his caregiver.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, September 20th from 9 to 11am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Masonic services will be conducted at 10am and Scripture services will be conducted at 10:45am by Pastor Mindy Heppe.
Burial with full military honors will be held on Thursday, September 22nd at 10:30am in Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa. Those wishing to attend the burial, a procession will depart from the funeral home on Thursday morning at 9am.
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He was born March 31, 1948 in Pottsville a son of the late Ruth Evans Davenport.
He was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School.
He was a Marine Corp Veteran having served during the Vietnam War.
Butch worked for Circle M Construction, United Cerebral Palsey and Assumption BVM School prior to retiring,
Butch was a member of the Schuylkill County Veterans Trip Organization, Schuylkill County Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29, and coached Pottsville Bulldogs Midget Football League and was a coach at Railway Park.
He was preceded in death by a son, Justin Austerberry; a grandson, Gage Evans; a brother, William Davenport.
Surviving are his children, Linette Mason, Minersville; James Evans, Pottsville; Jeremy Evans, Pottsville; Jesse Evans, Deer Lake; Josh Evans, Pottsville; Paula Polansky, Millville, NJ; 8 grandchildren, Amanda, J.T., Leann, Bailey, Kenzie, Preston, Peyten, Carter; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, James and Earl Davenport, Pottsville; 3 sisters, Karleen Yarnell, Karen Bolich, Joanne Barket, all of Pottsville; nieces and nephews.
Services celebrating the life of Butch will be held Tuesday at 10:30AM from the James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Family and friends are invited to a viewing from 5-7PM Monday and from 9-10:30AM Tuesday at the funeral home. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Butch be made to the Schuylkill County Veterans Trip Organization, PO Box 77, Pottsville, PA 17901. Interment with military honors will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
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