Skook News Obituaries: January 27th, 2023
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born Tuesday, March 30, 1948 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of the late Charles F. and Mary (Cienki) Campbell, Sr. She was also preceded in death by her husband, David Fletcher Wittig on September 05, 2016.
Carole worked as a nurse's aid at St. Luke's Miner's Hospital prior to her retirement. She enjoyed crocheting in her spare time.
Surviving are brother, Charles Campbell, Jr. and his wife, Carmella of Senoia, GA, sisters, Eileen Petko, Clara Sitaski and her husband, Joseph; Susan Garnett and her husband, James; and Theresa Hawthorn and her husband, Bill. Several nieces and nephews also survive Carole.
Private services are entrusted to E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. 570-668-2550
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Born in Shenandoah on December 23, 1939, he was a son of the late William V. Oshman Sr. and the late Clara M. (Lawson) Oshman.
He was a 1958 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
Clarence retired from the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah (MABS) after an almost twenty-year employment.
He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah and the former St. Casimir Parish where he served as an usher. Clarence coached the Shenandoah Area Girls Softball League for many years. He was an avid New York Yankees and New York Giants fan.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were two sisters, including his twin, Susan A. Oshman and Rosemarie Shillott; three brothers, William V. Oshman Jr., Anthony Oshman and Robert Siddle.
Surviving are his wife and caregiver, Stephanie (Palchus) Oshman; nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 10:00 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Saint Casimir’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A visitation will be held on Wednesday morning from 9:30 am until 10:00 am in Divine Mercy Church.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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Born in New Philadelphia on April 21, 1935, he was the son of the late George and Estelle Bunk Kristoff.
He was a member of Holy Cross Church in New Philadelphia.
Bernard will be remembered as a wonderful father, husband, and friend. He and his wife of 64 years, Susan enjoyed travelling and camping. They travelled and enjoyed taking in the music and arts in the different places they would visit. Bernard also loved sports, as a former baseball player, he enjoyed watching all manner of athletics.
He was a hard worker, whether at his work or home. Bernard enjoyed tending to his lawn and garden and seeing to his flower beds. Above all, Bernard enjoyed spending time with his two grandchildren who he placed above all else.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his five brothers; George, William, John, Dennis, and Leonard.
Bernard is survived by his loving wife the former Susan Thompson and their daughters, Susan Kristoff of Willow Grove and Kerri Longacre wife of Jason of Barto. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Chase Kristoff Longacre and Ely Kristoff Longacre along with two sisters, Joanne Nothstein and Arlene Tomey.
Funeral service will be held on Friday at 11:00 A.M. at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven. A viewing will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. Interment will follow on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
Floral arrangements will be accepted at the funeral home or donations in Bernard’s memory can be made to Holy Cross Church, 37 Clay Street, New Philadelphia, PA 17959.
Emil Keitsock, 81, of Branchdale, passed away Wednesday, January 25th, at LVHN Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Emil was born in Branchdale, Pa. on June 15, 1941, a son of the late Mary (Fedeles) and John Keitsock.
He was the husband of Mary Catherine (Fogarty) Keitsock.
Before his retirement Emil was employed at EXXON/Tredegar where he never missed a day of work in 42 years.
Emil was an avid fan of NASCAR. He was a faithful attendee at Big Diamond Raceway since day one of its opening and never missed a Friday night of racing. He was a former member of the Muddy Creek Sportsman’s Club. Emil enjoyed spending the day at his sole "fishing hole" at Sweet Arrow Lake.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Keitsock, and a sister, Martha Wasser.
Emil is survived by his wife, Mary, a son, Joseph Keitsock, three daughters, Joanne, wife of Robert Carl, Chris Firestine, and her Companion Will Laughlin, and Lisa, wife of Myron Charowsky.
He is also survived by grandchildren; Tyler Carl & companion Jenn Bettinger, Justine Carl & companion, Tyler White, Trevor Carl, Corrine Firestine & companion Sean Bachert, Brandon Firestine, husband of Julie Firestine, & Emma Laughlin. Great grandchildren; Macie, Sophia, Riley and Ross.
Emil is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Hatter.
A Requiem Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 am Tuesday, January 31st at Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Minersville, with Reverend Mark Fesniak officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Nicholas School Fund.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
Rosemary F. (Motley) Brensinger, 92, of Willow Lake, passed away Thursday, January 19th, at her residence.
Born in Pottsville on April 11, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Lillian (Green) and John Motley.
Rosemary was the wife of Gary L. Brensinger Sr. to whom she was married 62 years.
In addition to her parents, Rosemary is also preceded in death by her brothers, Robert and John Motley, and her aunt, Dorothy Fromme.
She was a lifetime member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Rosemary last worked as a sewing machine operator at Ethel Maid Burial Garments.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Colleen, wife of Andy Lukach, of Cressona; Debra, wife of Joe Harkins, of Schuylkill Haven; Kimberly Brensinger, companion of Kristi Waite, of Watsontown, two sons Gary L. Brensinger Jr., companion of Linda Palucci, of New Ringgold; Randy, husband of Gloria Brensinger, of Schuylkill Haven, and a brother, Edward Motley of Minersville. She is also survived by five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 25th at Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Schuylkill Haven, with Rev. Larry Lane officiating.
Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
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Emil Keitsock, 81, of Branchdale, passed away Wednesday, January 25th, at LVHN Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Emil was born in Branchdale, Pa. on June 15, 1941, a son of the late Mary (Fedeles) and John Keitsock.
He was the husband of Mary Catherine (Fogarty) Keitsock.
Before his retirement Emil was employed at EXXON/Tredegar where he never missed a day of work in 42 years.
Emil was an avid fan of NASCAR. He was a faithful attendee at Big Diamond Raceway since day one of its opening and never missed a Friday night of racing. He was a former member of the Muddy Creek Sportsman’s Club. Emil enjoyed spending the day at his sole "fishing hole" at Sweet Arrow Lake.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Keitsock, and a sister, Martha Wasser.
Emil is survived by his wife, Mary, a son, Joseph Keitsock, three daughters, Joanne, wife of Robert Carl, Chris Firestine, and her Companion Will Laughlin, and Lisa, wife of Myron Charowsky.
He is also survived by grandchildren; Tyler Carl & companion Jenn Bettinger, Justine Carl & companion, Tyler White, Trevor Carl, Corrine Firestine & companion Sean Bachert, Brandon Firestine, husband of Julie Firestine, & Emma Laughlin. Great grandchildren; Macie, Sophia, Riley and Ross.
Emil is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Hatter.
A Requiem Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 am Tuesday, January 31st at Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in Minersville, with Reverend Mark Fesniak officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Nicholas School Fund.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born in Pottsville on April 11, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Lillian (Green) and John Motley.
Rosemary was the wife of Gary L. Brensinger Sr. to whom she was married 62 years.
In addition to her parents, Rosemary is also preceded in death by her brothers, Robert and John Motley, and her aunt, Dorothy Fromme.
She was a lifetime member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Rosemary last worked as a sewing machine operator at Ethel Maid Burial Garments.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Colleen, wife of Andy Lukach, of Cressona; Debra, wife of Joe Harkins, of Schuylkill Haven; Kimberly Brensinger, companion of Kristi Waite, of Watsontown, two sons Gary L. Brensinger Jr., companion of Linda Palucci, of New Ringgold; Randy, husband of Gloria Brensinger, of Schuylkill Haven, and a brother, Edward Motley of Minersville. She is also survived by five grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 25th at Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Schuylkill Haven, with Rev. Larry Lane officiating.
Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
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Born on March 8, 1938, in Minersville, she was the daughter of the late Anthony Bluis and the late Anna (nee Sosinavage) Bluis. She was a 1956 graduate of Minersville High School.
She was an avid fan of Philadelphia sports, including the Flyers, 76ers, Phillies and, most of all, the Eagles. She also enjoyed her bus trips to Atlantic City casinos, many of which she organized, playing the slots and relishing the company and friendship of her casino companions.
She was a member of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church, Minersville, where she was a parish choir member and soloist. She was also a long-time member and current Treasurer of the Schuylkill County Choral Society.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Ronald J. Murphy, Sr.; a son, Ronald J. Murphy, Jr., two granddaughters, Lauren Murphy and Mackenzie O'Brien. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Thomas, who died as a toddler in 1934.
Carol is survived by three remaining children, Karen Ecker, Asheboro, North Carolina, Laurie Murphy, (spouse, Scott Rhody), Minersville, and Kenneth Murphy (spouse, Erin), Branch Township; seven grandchildren, Drew and Ian Murphy, Shane O’Brien (spouse, Loren), Luke Murphy (companion, Molly Dinich), Ian and Zachary Bitting (companion, Jessica Borden), and Kailee Lubrano (spouse, Dominick); several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her remaining brother, Anthony T. Bluis (spouse, Patricia), Walnutport; her brother-in-law, Jack Murphy (spouse, Betty), Branch Township; nieces and nephews.
The family will accept visitors at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. and on Thursday from 6:00 A.M. until services at 10:00 A.M. The family prefers donations to the Minersville Area School District, to be apportioned between the Lauren Murphy Memorial Fund and the Mackenzie O’Brien Scholarship Fund. Interment will be in Saint Francis of Assisi Cemetery, Branch Township.
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The family will accept visitors at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Monday from 6:00 P.M. and on Tuesday from 6:00 A.M. Visitation will end promptly at 9:15 A.M. when procession will form. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 AM in St. Matthew the Evangelist R.C. Church, 135 Spruce Street, Minersville. Interment will follow in Llewellyn Community Cemetery, Branch Township.
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Born on February 23, 1935, in Mount Pleasant, Foster Township, she was a daughter of the late Rufus and Verna (nee Berner) Ney. She was raised in Glen Dower and was a 1953 graduate of Cass Township High School.
She first worked as a secretary at the former Hamburg State Hospital. After starting her family in Frackville, then moving to Buck Run, she worked for 20 years in the offices of the former Fessler Knitting Company, Orwigsburg. Refusing to retire, she then worked as a cashier for 22 years at Wal-Mart, where she enjoyed interacting with customers.
She was a life-long member of Trinity Chapel, Buck Run. Loved by all, she loved spending time with her family. She also enjoyed cooking, dining out, casino travels and bingo.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 27 years, Eugene J. Dower, on Valentine’s Day, 1992. She was also preceded in death by five siblings, Frances Grooms, Russell, Marlin and Floyd Ney, and Joan Antonelli; eight half-siblings, Herman, Dallas, Clair, Robert, Donald and Reuben Ney, Martha Lanham, Mildred Greth, Catherine Weary, Mary Ney, Jean Lupia and Norma Weist.
Dorothy is survived by her son, Donald E. Dower, Sr. (spouse, Wendy), Buck Run; four grandchildren, Donald E. Dower, Jr. (spouse, Irene), Russell Dissinger, Amanda Lucas (spouse, Jarrett) and Samantha Dower; seven great-grandchildren, Heaven, Blaze, Kaylee, Gage, Mikey, Russ, Jr., and Raina. She is also survived by two remaining siblings, Marie “Bessie” Keefer, Pine Grove, and James R. Ney, Casa Grande, Arizona; nieces and nephews.
Services are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday at Dutcavich Funeral Home, pending Dorothy's release by the Schuylkill County Coroner.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
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