Skook News Obituaries: May 9, 2023
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born on March 29, 1932, in Tamaqua, PA, Vivian was a daughter of the late Lewis and Anna (Koieng) Bachert. She attended Tamaqua schools and was of the Catholic faith. Gathering around the kitchen table with family to talk, drink coffee, and eat snacks was a favorite pastime of hers.
Vivian is survived by son, Francis L. Hill and his wife Susan of South Tamaqua; daughter, Patricia Killian and her husband, Ned of Orwigsburg, PA; son, Robert Hill and his wife Brenda of Tuscarora, PA; 10 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; sister, Lois Hood of Owl Creek, PA; and sisters-in-law, Rita Miller of Hometown and Regina Heffelfinger of Tamaqua.
She was predeceased by daughters, Susan Johnson, Deborah Chrobak, and Amy Einhouse and brother, Norman Bachert.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua. Call 9-11 AM on Friday at the funeral home.
Interment will be at 12:30 PM on Tuesday, May 16 in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Melissa Ann Swarner, 50, of Lake Wynonah, passed away Friday, May 5th, at St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem.
Born in Thomaston, GA on August 17, 1972, she was a daughter of Brenda (McKendree) Mewbourn and Kenneth Hammock
She was the wife of Philip Lee Swarner, whom she married July 2, 2010.
In addition to her parents and husband, Melissa is also survived by two daughters: Lauren Guy, & Ashton Miller, two sons: Coy Miller, & Will Miller, a granddaughter, Ella Hay, and a brother, Chuck Hammock.
She was a member of American Legion Post #286. American Legion Riders, VFW Post #3975, 2nd Mountain Rod & Gun Club, and Strausstown Rod & Gun Club.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 13th at Ebling-Stabingas Funeral Home in Cressona, PA with Pastor Rod Gable officiating. A visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service.
A Memorial Service in Georgia will be held at a later date.
Anna Mae Tray, 93, a resident of Pottsville, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
Anna Mae was born in St. Clair on April 4, 1930. She attended local schools, and was a member of the United Church of Christ.
She worked for and retired from the John S. Clarke Elementary School, where she was head of the cafeteria. Anna Mae enjoyed knitting, baking and shopping.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Francis G. Tray;a son, Dale C. Tray and a daughter, Beverly Ann McClintock.
She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Heim of Pottsville. Grandchildren, Nikki, Bobbi, Josh, JT, Jori, Sass, Kira and Demi, along with great grandchildren, Halia, Alana, Bella, Callan, Madison, Cayden, Daniel and Daxton are left to cherish her memory.
Anna Mae is also survived by a daughter in law, Michelle Tray of Florida and a son in law, Robert McClintock of Pottsville.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life service at the Sletzer Fire Company, 320 Main Street in Seltzer on Saturday, May 13th from 5-9PM.
The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home assisted Anna Mae's family during this time of need.
Thomas Anthony Smullen, Jr, age 52, of Palo Alto, PA passed away on Saturday, May 6th, 2023.
Tom was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Class of ? and he worked as a Truck Driver. Tom loved going fishing and hunting.
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Born in Thomaston, GA on August 17, 1972, she was a daughter of Brenda (McKendree) Mewbourn and Kenneth Hammock
She was the wife of Philip Lee Swarner, whom she married July 2, 2010.
In addition to her parents and husband, Melissa is also survived by two daughters: Lauren Guy, & Ashton Miller, two sons: Coy Miller, & Will Miller, a granddaughter, Ella Hay, and a brother, Chuck Hammock.
She was a member of American Legion Post #286. American Legion Riders, VFW Post #3975, 2nd Mountain Rod & Gun Club, and Strausstown Rod & Gun Club.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 13th at Ebling-Stabingas Funeral Home in Cressona, PA with Pastor Rod Gable officiating. A visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service.
A Memorial Service in Georgia will be held at a later date.
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Anna Mae was born in St. Clair on April 4, 1930. She attended local schools, and was a member of the United Church of Christ.
She worked for and retired from the John S. Clarke Elementary School, where she was head of the cafeteria. Anna Mae enjoyed knitting, baking and shopping.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Francis G. Tray;a son, Dale C. Tray and a daughter, Beverly Ann McClintock.
She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Heim of Pottsville. Grandchildren, Nikki, Bobbi, Josh, JT, Jori, Sass, Kira and Demi, along with great grandchildren, Halia, Alana, Bella, Callan, Madison, Cayden, Daniel and Daxton are left to cherish her memory.
Anna Mae is also survived by a daughter in law, Michelle Tray of Florida and a son in law, Robert McClintock of Pottsville.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life service at the Sletzer Fire Company, 320 Main Street in Seltzer on Saturday, May 13th from 5-9PM.
The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home assisted Anna Mae's family during this time of need.
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Born in Pottsville, PA on October 21, 1970, he was the son of the late Thomas Anthony Smullen Sr. and Joan Marie (Tonitis) Smullen who survives him in Palo Alto.
Tom was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Class of ? and he worked as a Truck Driver. Tom loved going fishing and hunting.
In addition to his mother, Tom is survived by a sister Christa M. Hudec and her husband Martin and a nephew Cameron Hudec, all of Orwigsburg; and aunts and uncles.
Services and Interment will be held private.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements.
Richard “Dick” Alan Lowe, 79, of Mechanicsville, passed away May 5, 2023, at home.
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Born February 27, 1944, he was the son of the late James and Lorraine (Davis) Lowe. Dick grew up as an adventurous boy on the East Side of Pottsville. He graduated from PHS Class of 1962 and entered the United States Marine Corps. “Gunny” Lowe served in the early years of the Vietnam Conflict and later retired from the Marine Corps Reserves. He retired from PPL as an electrical repairman and was active in the local Marine Corps League.
He married the love of his life, Ann Kasinecz, on May 3, 1969, and they spent 53 years together prior to her passing. Dick enjoyed hiking, doing yardwork, riding motorcycles, spending time with family and friends, and rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies.
He is survived by his brother James (Shirley), Reading; son, Greg (Erica), Pottsville; daughters Kelly Matuczinski (Greg), Fredericksburg, Va., and Colleen Halko (Joe), Atoka, Tenn.; grandchildren, Emily Matuczinski (Dylan), Saige Lowe, Bronwyn Gray, Erin Matuczinski and Brendan Welsh-Lowe; cousins, nieces and nephews, and many cherished childhood friends and fellow Marines.
A religious service will be held on Thursday, May 11th at 7 p.m. at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home in Port Carbon, with Pastor Jack Murray officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Thursday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will be held at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 12th. A procession will leave the Funeral Home on Friday at 8:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Diabetes Association or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, organizations that were near and dear to him.
Paula Davis-Behney, age 61 of Pottsville, PA passed away on May 3, 2023 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Schuylkill, East in Pottsville.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on October 7, 1961, she was the daughter of the late Robert Richard Davis and Ida M. (Schoffner) Modica.
Paula first worked as a screen printer for the American Argo Corp., then worked as a secretary at the Thompson Building in Pottsville, and last worked as a Bartender at many local business and private clubs for over 30 years.
Paula was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Pottsville and a member and Chaplin for the F.O.E. Arie #134 for over 20 years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Barbara Ann Davis.
Paula is survived by her son Scott Behney, Pottsville; two sisters: Holley Frantz, Orwigsburg and Jacqueline Davis, New Philadelphia; a brother Frank Modica, Pottsville; a niece Francesca Modica, Pottsville; a nephew Dimetri Modica, Pottsville; an aunt Sandy Thomas, Middleport; and cousin Jamie Eisenburg, Middleport.
A Graveside Service will be held at German Protestant Cemetery in Mahanoy City on Friday May 12th at 10AM, with Deacon Jack Quirk officiating.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements.
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Paula Davis-Behney, age 61 of Pottsville, PA passed away on May 3, 2023 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Schuylkill, East in Pottsville.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on October 7, 1961, she was the daughter of the late Robert Richard Davis and Ida M. (Schoffner) Modica.
Paula first worked as a screen printer for the American Argo Corp., then worked as a secretary at the Thompson Building in Pottsville, and last worked as a Bartender at many local business and private clubs for over 30 years.
Paula was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Pottsville and a member and Chaplin for the F.O.E. Arie #134 for over 20 years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Barbara Ann Davis.
Paula is survived by her son Scott Behney, Pottsville; two sisters: Holley Frantz, Orwigsburg and Jacqueline Davis, New Philadelphia; a brother Frank Modica, Pottsville; a niece Francesca Modica, Pottsville; a nephew Dimetri Modica, Pottsville; an aunt Sandy Thomas, Middleport; and cousin Jamie Eisenburg, Middleport.
A Graveside Service will be held at German Protestant Cemetery in Mahanoy City on Friday May 12th at 10AM, with Deacon Jack Quirk officiating.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements.
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Paul V. Rodichok, 75, of Tower City, passed away very unexpectedly, Sunday, May 7, 2023 at the Hershey Medical Center.
Born in Pottsville, February 15, 1948, a son of the late Theodore and Wanda Klinger Rodichok. Paul was a member of the first class to graduate from the Williams Valley School District in 1966.
He proudly served with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era.
He was a retired tool and die repairman from TYCO, where he worked for 36 years.
He was of the Methodist Faith. Paul was a member of the Tower City American Legion and the Tower City Loyal Order of Moose.
He was an avid fan of Penn State Football and the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. Paul enjoyed his trips to the casino, fishing, and always enjoyed spending his time at his former camp along the Juniata River.
He will be remembered for his very outgoing personality - always up for a good conversation with his many friends. He will be deeply missed.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Debbie Buffington.
Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Lana L. Seiler Rodichok; a son, Paul Rodichok II (Jessi), Tower City; a stepdaughter, Kelly Weaver, Tower City; four grandchildren, Shawn Artz, Isabella Clark, Luke Weaver, and John Weaver, III; a brother, Ted Rodichok, Tower City, and a sister, Anna Marie Coleman, Gratz; four nieces and one nephew.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 7 PM from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc, Tower City with Pastor Bill Romberger officiating. Viewing will be from 6-7 at the chapel. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow at the Tower City American Legion. Paul will be laid to rest Friday at the convenience of the family with military honors in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Please omit flowers. Donations in Paul's name should be made to the Tower City American Legion, 2 Clarks Valley Road, Tower City, PA 17980.
Born in Pottsville, February 15, 1948, a son of the late Theodore and Wanda Klinger Rodichok. Paul was a member of the first class to graduate from the Williams Valley School District in 1966.
He proudly served with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Era.
He was a retired tool and die repairman from TYCO, where he worked for 36 years.
He was of the Methodist Faith. Paul was a member of the Tower City American Legion and the Tower City Loyal Order of Moose.
He was an avid fan of Penn State Football and the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. Paul enjoyed his trips to the casino, fishing, and always enjoyed spending his time at his former camp along the Juniata River.
He will be remembered for his very outgoing personality - always up for a good conversation with his many friends. He will be deeply missed.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Debbie Buffington.
Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Lana L. Seiler Rodichok; a son, Paul Rodichok II (Jessi), Tower City; a stepdaughter, Kelly Weaver, Tower City; four grandchildren, Shawn Artz, Isabella Clark, Luke Weaver, and John Weaver, III; a brother, Ted Rodichok, Tower City, and a sister, Anna Marie Coleman, Gratz; four nieces and one nephew.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 7 PM from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc, Tower City with Pastor Bill Romberger officiating. Viewing will be from 6-7 at the chapel. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow at the Tower City American Legion. Paul will be laid to rest Friday at the convenience of the family with military honors in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Please omit flowers. Donations in Paul's name should be made to the Tower City American Legion, 2 Clarks Valley Road, Tower City, PA 17980.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
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