Skook News Obituaries: September 29, 2023
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born June 24, 1938 he was the son of the late John & Loretta Boyer. He was the widower of Mary L. (Bridal) Boyer, his loving wife of 56 years.
Don served with U.S.M.C., 1956-1959, South East Asia, South West Asia and Vietnam. He worked as a union carpenter and coal miner. Don enjoyed fishing and woodworking with family and friends.
In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by a brother Charles Boyer of Kulpmont and grandson Jason Boyer.
Don is survived by; sister Marlene Obregon (Leo), OK; 6 children Mark Boyer (Rhoda Wetzel), Dawn L. Boyer, B. Beverly Schmalhofer (Joseph), John Boyer (Paula), Roxanne Brandis (Scott), David Boyer (Vikki). In addition, Don enjoyed spending time with his 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Wednesday October 4th at 10:00 AM at Brock Cemetery, Ashland with Rev. Dana Heckman-Beil officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Don’s memory to Connections Life Care Hospice, 50 S. Oak St, Mount Carmel PA 17851.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born in Pottsville, PA on November 3, 1950, Charles was a son of the late Edward and Mary Jane (Lloyd) Thomas. A 1968 graduate of the former St. Clair High School, he had been employed as a machine operator at Exide Batteries in Hamburg, PA and later JDM in Hamburg. A member of both the Moss Glenn Rod & Gun Club in Brockton, PA and the West Penn Rod & Gun Club in Clamtown, PA, Charles loved to hunt and fish. He especially loved his grandchildren and spending time with them.
In addition to his wife Catherine, Charles is survived by daughters, Jennifer Dayson and her husband Scott of Cressona, PA and Jill Zelonis and her husband John of Brockton; son, Matthew Thomas and his wife Nicole of Tamaqua, PA; grandchildren, Mattea Dayson, Joelle Zelonis, John Paul Zelonis, Aubrey Thomas, Nathaniel Curvey, and Isaac Curvey; brother, Edward Thomas and his wife Bethann of Kaska, PA; and niece, Melissa Thomas Johns.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations to be used for kids’ fishing at Moss Glen may be made to the Moss Glen Rod & Gun Club, c/o Nelle Stremick, P.O. Box 1, Mary D, PA 17952.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Gerald James “Jerry” Neveras, 75, of Minersville, passed away on Monday at home.
Born on February 17, 1948, in Pottsville, he was the son of Genevieve (nee Stefanavage Pecina, San Clemente, CA, and the late John W. Neveras. He was a 1966 graduate of Minersville High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Milligan College in 1971. He was a teacher in upstate New York and had also served on the faculty in the Tri-Valley School District. He later worked in the circulation department of the REPUBLICAN-HERALD. He also provided security services through Anthracite Protective Services, LLC, Minersville.
In his youth, Jerry was an accomplished member of the Pottsville YMCA Swim Team. He was also a member of the 1965 football team at Minersville High School, serving as team captain and accumulating multiple catches and touchdowns while playing End position. More recently, he enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow patrons at the Lame Goose Tavern, Minersville. “Wing Night” with his friends had them sampling the offerings of numerous venues throughout Schuylkill County.
In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by his stepfather, William Pecina, who raised Jerry as his own.
Jerry is survived by his daughter, Jessica Colisanto (spouse, Rob), British Columbia, Canada; three grandchildren; a stepsister, Cindi Machuzick (spouse, John), San Clemente, CA; a nephew.
Dutcavich Funeral Home has charge.
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Born in Philadelphia on August 25, 1928, Father Dene was the son of the late Charles and Josephine E. (Wasch) Dene.
Father Dene attended Our Lady of Consolation Elementary School, Philadelphia. He graduated from Northeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia. He entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook in 1945, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree.
He was ordained to the Priesthood on May 15, 1958 by the Most Reverend John F. O’Hara, then Bishop of Philadelphia at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia.
Father Dene’s first assignment was Parochial Vicar, Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Easton; followed by Parochial Vicar, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading, Parochial Vicar, Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Allentown, Parochial Vicar, Saint Stephen Parish, Port Carbon, Parochial Vicar, Holy Family Parish, New Philadelphia, Parochial Vicar, Saint Jerome Parish, Tamaqua. Father Dene was Parochial Administrator, Sacred Heart Parish, Mahanoy City. Father Dene’s first Pastoral assignment was at Sacred Heart Parish, Mahanoy City, followed by Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Kelayres, and Pastor, Mary Queen of Peace Parish, Pottsville.
During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Dene served as Regional Director, Holy Name Society, East Schuylkill County. He also served in full-time Prison Ministry as Chaplain, State Correctional Institution, Frackville and Chaplain, Federal Correctional Institution Schuylkill, Minersville.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were two brothers, Richard Dene and Norman Dene and his wife Gloria.
Surviving are three nieces, Patricia Cassidy and her husband Manus, Elizabeth Dene and Margaret Brescia and her husband Michael; one nephew, William Dene and his wife Claudia; great-nieces and great-nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L, Bishop of Allentown. The Homilist will be Reverend Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor, Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah. Main Concelebrants will be Very Reverend Eugene P. Ritz, Vicar for Clergy, Very Reverend James J. Koury, Pastor, Saint Basil the Great Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Utica, New York, Reverend Adam C. Sedar, Pastor, Saint Nicholas Parish, Walnutport, and Monsignor Bocian. Interment on Wednesday morning in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne. Calling hours will be held on Monday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Divine Mercy Church with the Vigil Service at 7:00 PM with Monsignor William F. Glosser, V.F. Presiding and Monsignor Bocian as the homilist.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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