Skook News Obituaries: August 23, 2023
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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George Walters, aged 80, passed away on August 22, 2023, while a guest at Manor Care in Pottsville. Born on December 10, 1942, in Pottsville, he was the son of Margaret Balthus and was raised locally in the Pottsville area by his grandparents.
George graduated from Pottsville High School and went on to work in various manufacturing facilities in the local area throughout his career. He was a career minded individual, who took pride in his work.
George was a faithful member of Christ Evangelical Church for over 40 years, and after its merger with Bethany Christian Fellowship Church in Cressona, he continued to attend services there
George is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sandra (Gerber) Walters, and his two sons, Christopher and Steven, both of Pottsville.
As the oldest of nine siblings, George is survived by brothers and sisters.
Private services for his family will be provided by the Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, located at 515 West Market Street in Pottsville. Following the services, George will be laid to rest at Schuylkill Memorial Park.
Martha T. Kenney passed away peacefully on August 22, 2023 at Providence Place in Pottsville. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends during her final days. Being born on September 14, 1934, God called her home at the age of 88 to finally be at peace with her late husband, George and two daughters, Maureen and Helen.
Martha graduated from Shamokin High School in 1952. Immediately following high school graduation, she started working at Geisinger Medical Center. She would then eventually work at Jack Price Nationwide Insurance Company of Ashland and the Citizens Bank of Ashland.
Martha married the love of her life on February 8, 1958. They built a beautiful life and family together. They had a best friend kind of endless love for one another, as it was a rare occurrence that you would see one without the other.
Martha loved to be social and active. She was a member of the Indian Hills Golf Association, where her and George would spend many years golfing. She was also a member of the Penn State Lifetime Alumni Association and previously a member of Senior Citizens. For many years she helped make Easter Eggs at St. Charles Borromeo in Ashland, where she would also attend daily mass. Above everything, Martha loved to spend time with her family.
Martha will be forever remembered and missed by her son: Joseph Kenney and his wife Joyceann, her daughter: Karen Damiter, her 5 granddaughters: Kelsey, Shannon, Corrine and her fiancé Joshua Richmond, Lauren Damiter, Lindsey and her husband Steve Zweizig, her 3 great grandchildren: Camryn, Jace and Jade Zweizig, her Goddaughter and niece MaryAnn Gates and her son, Shawn.
She is proceeded in death by her Father: Matthew Andrews, her Mother: Martha, her sister: Delia, her husband: F. George Kenney, her two daughters: Maureen and Helen, and her nephews: Jack, Mike and recently departed nephew, James "Rooster" Kenney.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, August 28th from 9:30-11:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 1115 Walnut St, Ashland PA 17921. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 11:00 AM in the church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, school-based material donations be made to the Schuylkill intermediate Unit 29 - SLA/ Schuylkill Learning Academy and MAC/ Maple Avenue Campus.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements. To extend online condolences, visit www.kullfuneral.com.
Richard D. Welker, 87, of Bethel, formerly of Pottsville, passed away Sunday August 20, 2023, while in hospice home care in Lancaster, PA, surrounded by the love of family.
Born in Pottsville, December 4, 1935, He was a son of the late Francis E. and Fern Lolita (Traxler) Welker of St. Clair.
He was a 1953 graduate of St. Clair Area High School and graduated from Penn State University in 1962 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
Richard D. Welker served in the US Navy during the Korean War from 1954-1957, spending time aboard the submarine SSR-267 USS PomPon and remained active with his boat’s Alumni Association.
He was employed by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Ct; Atlas Chemicals in Mertztown; Goodyear/Reneer Films in Auburn, where he retired in 1991.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church; National Rifle Association; St. Clair American Legion Post #719; Schuylkill Lodge 128 F&AM, Orwigsburg; Rajah Temple of Reading; and Orwigsburg Lions.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Almenia (Evans) Welker in 1998.
Loved by all his children, he is survived by a son Frank E. Welker of Pine Grove; 3 daughters Kimberly A. Heck and her husband Edward D. of West Hempfield Township; daughter Karen S. Pattison husband Steven K of Apex, NC; Kelli R. Shaner and her husband William P. of New Ringgold. He was a beloved Grandfather of nine and great-grandfather of six.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday August 28, 2023 from Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street St. Clair, PA 17970 with Pastor Rick Kanter Officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Burial with military honors will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park Garden of the Apostles, Schuylkill Haven.