Skook News Obituaries: September 15, 2023
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Cressona on March 14, 1940, he was a son of the late Joseph B. & Ruth (Ferrier) Bittle.
He was the husband of Fern A. (Mohl) Bittle, whom he married June 6, 1964.
Joe was a 1958 graduate of Blue Mountain High School, and later graduated from Harrisburg Barber College.
Joe worked as a self-employed barber in Cressona for over 60 years.
He was a member of Grace Evangelical Free Church, Cressona, where he served as a former trustee and Sunday School Superintendent.
Joe was a former board member of Child Evangelism Fellowship. He also assisted Boy Scout Troop #130 for several years.
Joe enjoyed traveling all over the United States, especially Alaska, as well as the Caribbean Islands.
In addition to his wife, he is also survived by two sons: Dale Bittle, at home; & Dennis, husband of Aimee Bittle, of Indianapolis, IN; a daughter, Bonnie, wife of John Lane, of Frackville; a brother, William, husband of Janice Bittle, of Cherry Hill, NJ, a sister-in-law, Carol Jones, Harrisburg, and several nieces & nephews.
In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his sister, Janice Major, and brothers-in-law, Jerry Major, & Ed Jones.
A viewing will be held at Grace Evangelical Free Church, Cressona, from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, September 19th.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, September 20th at the church with Rev. Josh Ott officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service.
Interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Grace Evanglical Free Church,101 Graeff St., Cressona PA 17929.
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Eileen F. Hydock, 78, of Minersville, passed away Saturday at the Orwigsburg Center.
Born in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Frances Larish Martin.
She was a graduate of nativity BVM High School, Pottsville and was of the Catholic faith. She was a retired Daycare Worker.
In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband Joseph Hydock.
She is survived by 2 sons, Stephen Lagaza and his wife Danielle, Pottsville, Joseph Lagaza and his wife Stephanie, Barnesville and a daughter, Judy Frasure, Orwigsburg; 5 grandchildren, Joshua Hossler, Tyler Karlovih, Joseph Lagaza, Kayleigh Lagaza, and Bemjamin Lagaza; a great grand child, Beatrice Hossler.
A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, September 19th, 2023, at 12 Noon from the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, 328 Sunbury St., Minersville. Relatives and friends can call at the Funeral Home on Tuesday morning from 9AM until the time of the service. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Way, Memphis, Tn. 38105-5678. Contributions will also be accepted at the Funeral Home.
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Born on May 1, 1925, he was the only child of the late Alvin and Carrie Kimmel Schwalm.
He graduated from Pine Grove High School in 1943. He was then drafted into the Marine Corp. and served during WWII, where he was a part of the Amphibious Corp in the Pacific and North China. While in the corp, he enrolled in Aviation Electrical School where he learned his life-long trade as an Industrial Electrician. He was proud of his service and his country and instilled that quality in his children.
Robert worked at Alcoa/Cressona Aluminum, and after retirement, traveled to several Marine Service Reunions around the United States with his lovely wife, Annetta.
He was a member of the Pine Grove American Legion and VFW, the DVA, and a life-long member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Pine Grove.
Bob and Annetta raised 4 children together and he was very proud of his family and was very much loved. He had an interesting life and shared many stories with his friends and family. He worked hard to provide for his family and enjoyed his family, nature and good conversation. He was faithful in his Christian beliefs and could often be heard in conversations with his heavenly father. The following poem, written by Bob, is a tribute to his appreciation of God's Creations.
Under the starry summer night, I see the world in a different light, with the warm and gentle breeze of the night, with the fragrance of flowers which during the day are so bright.
The baying of dogs, the hooting of owls, the sounds of the crickets over the miles, the frogs with their songs around the ponds, the fireflies fly as if to respond.
The moon in its brightness, the stars like diamonds, silhouette the trees and the peaceful mountains.
We truly know and see that this, God's creation can only be. For there is no other so great we know than God, the Creator, who made it so.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Annetta J. Zerbe Schwalm and his dear daughter, Jane L. Schneck in March of 2015.
Surviving are two daughters, Robin A. Schwalm of Colorado, Annetta Jill Pastucka of Pine Grove; a son Robert Z. Schwalm of Pine Grove; 13 grandchildren; and 32 great grandchildren.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family with interment at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 19 E. Pottsville St., Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Pottsville on May 15, 1943, he was a son of the late Louis F. & Elizabeth M. (Zemencik) Yob.
A devoted & loving husband, he was the widower of Nancy Lea (Rhine) Yob, who passed away October 23, 2019.
In addition to his parents, & wife, Mike is also preceded in death by his great-grandson, Kaden Krause, and brothers: Matthew Yob, & Edward Zemencik.
He was a 1962 graduate of Blue Mountain High School.
Mike had been employed by J.D. Eckman.
He was a devoted faithful member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Mike was a life member of Summit Station Fire Company, and a life member Strausstown Rod & Gun. He also belongs to the Landingville Fire Company, & Friedensburg Game & Fish. He played in the Senior golf league at Hidden Valley Golf Course.
Mike enjoyed participating in his dart league, and especially enjoyed going to Hunting camp.
"Pappy Yob" was loved by all who knew him. He was always happy and smiling.
He is survived by two daughters: Michele Lea Yob, & Donna Lea Garland, wife of Dave, and a son,Michael L. Yob, Jr., companion of Yvonne, all of Schuylkill Haven,grandchildren: Christopher, & Nicholas Krause, Melissa Miller, Marcie, Joseph, & Kevin Shire, Elizabeth Reber, Rebecca Rowe, Saarah Schiavone, Michael III, Matthew, & Ryan Yob, & Samantha Thompson, and great-grandchildren: Matthew, Kole, Koen, Hunter, Colton, Carson, Calen, Easton, Elliot, Cooper, Jaxson, & Leland. He anticipated the arrival of two baby great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his step-mother-in-law, Bernice Rhine.
A viewing will be held Wednesday evening at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven, from 5-7 PM.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, at 10:30 AM. A viewing will be held in the church's chapel from 9:15-10:15 AM.
Entombment will follow at St. Ambrose Cemetery, Cressona.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Summit Station Fire Company, PO Box 63, Summit Station PA 17979, or St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church 201 Randel Street Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
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Phyllis F. Strause, 94, of Schuylkill Haven passed away on Friday at the Lehigh Valley Hospital – E. Norwegian.
Born on August 25, 1929, in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late, Clyde and May Reichert Storch.
Phyllis was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School.
She was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Pottsville. Phyllis was also a member of The Order of the Amaranth and served as a past Royal Matron.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Harold who passed in 2016. She is also preceded in death by her sisters, Mildred Kishbaugh and Nancy Rasner
Phyllis is survived by her son, Lee A. Strause of Port Carbon along with grandchildren, Courtney Strause and Lee Strause Jr. husband to Sarah. She is also survived by her great granddaughter Alyson Strause.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 A.M.at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven. Family and friends are welcome from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services.
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