Skook News Obituaries: September 6th, 2022
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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He was born on October 25, 1951, in Pottsville, son of the late Madeline L. (Caslow) and the late Leroy R. Campion. He was also a humble son of St. Patrick Church, receiving the Sacraments and first serving his parish as an altar server. He attended St. Patrick Parochial School and was a graduate of Nativity B.V.M. High School. He attended St. Charles Borromeo College, Philadelphia, receiving his B.A. in 1973, continuing his priestly studies, he obtained his Master of Divinity in 1976 from Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, PA, as well as his Master of Theology in 1977.
He was ordained to the Priesthood on 14 May 1977 by the Most Reverend Joseph M. McShea, Bishop of Allentown, at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
Upon his ordination, Rev. Campion served as Assistant Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, West Reading; Berks County CYO Director, Scout Regional Chaplain, Regional Vocation Director, and Chaplin to Ancient Order of Hibernians. In 1983, Rev. Campion was transferred to Assistant Pastor at St. Jane’s, Wilson Borough; Regional Scout Director and Regional Vocation Director.
In 1985, Rev. Campion was named Diocesan Director of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO); and Professor of Theology at Nativity B.V.M. High School, Pottsville, PA.
Further, he was appointed as the first full-time Director of Youth Ministry which included overseeing all Youth Programs other than those dealing with education. In this position, Fr. Campion’s responsibilities encompassed CYO, Youth Retreats, Catholic Scouting, and Parish Youth Programming for 153 Diocesan Parishes and 70 Parish and Diocesan Schools. Also, at this time, he served as the Chaplain to the Catholic Daughters of America, and then in 1989, he was appointed Chairperson for the Catholic Youth Council.
In 1991, he was a columnist for the Diocesan Newspaper, the A.D. Times. Further, from 1991 to 1999, Fr. Campion served as Pastor of St. Canicus & St. Fidelis Parishes in Mahanoy City, PA, as well as Dean of Northern Schuylkill County; Diocesan Personnel Committee; member of Marian High School Advisory Board and Finance Committee, Diocesan Teacher Negotiation Team Member, Member of Diocesan Priest Council; and Chaplin of the Catholic Daughters of America.
Rev. Campion was appointed Pastor of St. Anthony’s in Easton, PA, from 1999 to 2002.
From 2002 to 2008, he was assigned as Pastor of St. Jerome’s in Tamaqua, PA. Then, in 2008, Rev. Campion was appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart in Palmerton, PA, which he served until his June 2022 appointment as Pastor Emeritus of Sacred Heart, Palmerton.
During the course of his priestly ministry, Rev. Campion was involved in many church activities and community organizations, including Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order of Hibernians, as well as past memberships on the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry, St. Francis Center Advisory Board, Nativity H.S. Annual Fund Drive, Marian H.S. Dinner Dance Committee, Mahanoy Area Ministerial Association (Past President), Schuylkill County Advisory Board for Alvernia College, Chaplain for Golden Age of Easton, Palmerton Area Ministerium-CACPA, Chaplain for State Traveler’s Protective Association, Schuylkill County Organizing Project, Association of Schuylkill County Social Services (Vice President), Chairperson of the Schuylkill County Priest Alumni Scholarship Fund, Board of Directors of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Champ Racis YMCA Committee, Schuylkill County YMCA Board of Directors, Schuylkill County Task Force for the Elderly, and Palmerton Chamber of Commerce.
He was an avid sports fan, who especially enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Eagles and Notre Dame football games, as well as the Phillies baseball games.
Rev. William T. Campion is survived by his brother, Leroy R. Campion, II; and two sisters, Mary L. Reed, wife of Richard L. Reed, Sr, and Brenda L. Churico, wife of John J. Churico. Further, he is survived by his nephews, Richard Lee Reed, companion of Kimberly Bowers; Michael William Reed, husband of Brianna Reed; Matthew T. Churico, husband of Lauren Churico; and his nieces, Tammy Erskine, wife of Charles Erskine; Kathleen M. Churico, companion of Trent Schaeffer, Madeline A. Churico; and Kelly M. Rojas, wife of Ruben Rojas.
Rev Campion is also survived by his great nephews, Derek Kreider, Jacob Guy, Chase Reed, Liam and Axel Reed, Declan Schaeffer, Cole Churico, and Julian Rojas; and by his great nieces, Nova Reed, Ava and Emma Churico, and Anastasia Schaeffer. His family meant the world to him and he loved them all.
Visitation will be at St. Patrick Church, 319 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, on Sunday, September 11, 2022 from 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Vigil Service will be at 6:30 P.M. with Reverend John Hutta II as Homilist.
A Visitation on Monday, September 12, 2022 will begin at 9:30 A.M. and end promptly at 10:45 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Allentown. The Homilist will be Reverend Leo Maletz Pastor Emeritus, St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish, Minersville.
Interment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Nativity B.V.M High School, 1 Lawton’s Hill, Pottsville, PA 17901 or St. Patrick’s Church, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA, or Sacred Heart Church, 243 Lafayette Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071-1511.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
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She was born on Thursday, June 22, 1944, in Norristown, a daughter of the late John E Gradwell and the late Elsie M (Parfit) Gradwell.
She was a graduate of Norristown High School and Lycoming College.
Sandra was an organizer of Tri-Valley Volunteer Home Care.
She was a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Valley View.
Sandra enjoyed reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Her husband David B Thomas passed away in 2012. She was also preceded in death by her parents and by a granddaughter, Ashley R Udowenko.
She is survived by a son, John A Thomas and his wife Jennifer of Ambler; a daughter, Carla J Bohner of Valley View; a grandson, Jake R Thomas of Ambler; two granddaughters, Morgan T Thomas of Ambler and Tiffany A M Bohner of Valley View; a sister, Janice E Wrubleski of Bradenton, FL; and a sister in law, Carol McClenahan of Pittsburgh.
Funeral services will be held at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Valley View, on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 2:00 pm, with Rev. Suzanne Elliott officiating.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Sunday at the church.
Burial will be in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Valley View.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Hegins Area Ambulance Association, 352 Gap Street, Valley View, PA 17983 or to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com
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Born in Ashland, February 19, 1952, a son of the late Gene "Skip" Sr., and Helen Unger Bendigo. Gene was a 1970 graduate of Williams Valley High School.
Gene was retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation. While working at PennDOT, he worked for the PA Bureau of Aviation at the Harrisburg International Airport and was also Manager of the Capital City Airport for several years. Gene was currently the Assistant Manager of Bendigo Airport, Tower City.
He was a member of the Orwin Gun Club, Orwin and Williamstown Fire Companies, Tower City Loyal Order of the Moose; as well as the Bressler Club, Dutch Club, and St. Lawrence Club; all of Steelton.
He was an RC plane and drone enthusiast. He loved watching NASA and SpaceX rocket launches. He was an accomplished magician who enjoyed showing his magic tricks at various events and passing on the trade to his grandson. Gene also was known to put off a great fireworks display.
He will be remembered as a true entertainer and for his ability to bring a smile to anyone's face. He was a jack of all trades and could fix anything you asked of him.
He is survived by his daughter, Brittany Schweigler and her husband Michael of York; his three grandchildren - Liam, Lillian and Logan Schweigler; two brothers - Paul Bendigo and his wife Christine of Reading; Brian Bendigo of Florida; a sister - Barbara Brown and her husband Art of Womelsdorf; nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 12 noon from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Orwin. Viewing will be from 11-12 noon at the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gene's memory can be made to the Orwin Gun Club, 15 Gun Club Road, Tower City, PA 17980 or Orwin Fire Company, Dietrich Avenue, Tower City, PA 17980.
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She was born August 15, 1925, in Plymouth, PA, a daughter of Kenneth and Lillian Shellhamer.
Ruth was a 1943 graduate of Nanticoke High School, and a 1947 graduate of Drexel University with a degree in home economics.
She began her teaching career at Lake-Lehman School District, where she taught home economics and also managed the high school cafeteria. In 1966 she began teaching at Pine Grove Area School District until her retirement in 1988.
Ruth will be remembered as a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother who loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed preparing meals for family get-togethers, especially Sunday dinners after church. During her retirement years, one of her favorite pastimes was knitting afghans, in which she took great pleasure in gifting to family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son Kenneth Stolarick.
Surviving are her husband of 71 years, Edwin Stolarick; daughter Catherine Stolarick; daughter-in-law Sandra Stolarick; granddaughter Emily Stormont and husband Ian; grandson Joe Stolarick and wife Andrea; great-grandchildren James Stormont, Isabelle Stormont, and George Stolarick.
A service will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorial contributions be made to St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church General Fund, 312 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 in her memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements
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