Skook News Obituaries: October 26th, 2023
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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John "Johnny" was born on October 5, 1945 in Frackville, PA, to John A. Gill and Blanche I. (Dubitsky) Gill. He graduated from Mahanoy Area High School in 1963, where he was an All-State Tackle and played in the Big 33 Game. After high school, he graduated from Cornell University School of Hotel Management, Ithaca, New York. During a summer at home, he met his wife, Betty. They were engaged 6 months after meeting and soon married in June 1970. He and Betty worked together at John’s parents’ restaurant, the J&A. This was a popular spot in downtown Mahanoy City; running a business was always in his blood. In 1971, John and Betty purchased the former West Palm Gardens which was a hot spot for locals to dance and mingle. They renamed it the Gilcrest. The nightclub and restaurant were difficult with a young family. In 1979, they chose a new path and continued to operate as Gil’s Catering which became a thriving business serving Schuylkill County and beyond. His traditional meal of meatballs, stuffing, chicken, ham, kielbasa, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw was affectionately known as the Anthracite Special and was enjoyed by thousands. In 2010, John and Betty started their next chapter in Arizona, to enjoy the desert weather and sunshine and be closer to their growing family.
John and Betty had 3 wonderful children. John loved to travel with his family, watch live sporting events, and golf. He followed all Philadelphia sports teams, especially Villanova Basketball, the Phillies, and the Eagles. He was active in numerous community organizations, including Mahanoy City Elks (Past Exalted Ruler), Mahanoy City Rotary (Past President), Mahanoy City Business and Professional Association, Assumption BVM Parish, and Humane Fire Company. In his retirement, he was a committee member and parishioner at St. James Parish in Glendale, AZ.
John was the grandfather to 4 beautiful granddaughters, who always made him laugh and beam with pride. He enjoyed entertaining the family on holidays and weekends. Every meal felt like a full catered event.
John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His warm smile, sharp sense of humor, sage advice, and love will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty (Cave Creek, AZ); Son, Matt and Daughter-In-Law, Leyla Molina (Tucson, AZ); Daughter, Nancy, Son-In-Law, Dave Skuodas, and Granddaughter, Cecilia (Littleton, CO); Daughter, Angela, and Son-In-Law, Jonathan Bashinsky, Granddaughters Olivia, Grace, and Josephine (Cave Creek, AZ); Sister, Bernadine Holstein (Coatesville, PA); Brother-In-Law, John Lazor (Sugarloaf, PA); Sister-In-Law, Susan Lazor (Sugarloaf, PA); and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Regina (Gill) Dougherty.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 28 at St. James Parish in Glendale, AZ.
If so inclined, donations can be made to the Mahanoy City Fire Department, PO Box 301, Mahanoy City, PA 17948.
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John was born in Casteldaccia, Italy on October 19, 1929, a son of the late Catherine (Lamonico) and Pietro Russo.
John was the widower of Rose (Pernice) Russo.
He served in the Italian Armed Forces for 2 years, 1949 to 1951. John immigrated from Sicily to the United States in 1955 and married Rose Pernice in 1959. John cofounded Roma Pizza, Pottsville, PA, with his brother Frank Russo in 1969. He was an avid New York Yankee fan and loved hunting and gardening.
John is survived by his daughter, Catherine Stepansky, wife of John, of Harrisburg and his son Peter Russo, husband of Heather, Breiningsville.
He is also survived by granddaughters Sierra Russo; Stephanie & Christina Stepansky. grandsons Andrew John Stepansky and John Russo.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Monday, October 30th with Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik officiating. A viewing will be held 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM in the church chapel.
Interment will be in St. Ambrose Mausoleum, Schuylkill Haven.
Interment will be in St. Ambrose Mausoleum, Schuylkill Haven.
Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home, Inc., Orwigsburg is honored to be serving the family.
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Barry Morris after a lengthy illness on October 24, 2023, at the age of 79.
Prior to relocating to Ashland 55 years ago, Barry was a native of Pittsburgh, PA. After high school, Barry attended Youngstown State University and Bloomsburg University. He received a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. Barry was a teacher 30+ years for the North Schuylkill School district, Ringtown Elementary School. In addition to teaching, he worked for many years at Sears (Pottsville and Frackville). After Barry’s retirement, he enjoyed traveling, always looking for a great adventure and going to the casino.
Barry was the beloved spouse to his late wife, Pennee Morris, who passed away in 2016. He is survived by his daughter and son in-law, Chris and Carl Veach of Elysburg. Barry was thankful for the support of his good friend and caregiver. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Anne Morris, and his sister, Sandra Morris.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. At the request of the family memorial contributions can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 www.pancan.org,, or a charity of your choice.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Christine F. (Dereskiewicz) Brauns, 87 of Warrington, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Neshaminy Manor in Warrington.
Born on November 19, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Adolph and Frances (Harbaczewski) Dereskiewicz of Shenandoah, PA.
Preceding her in death were her husband, George C. Brauns, Jr., her sister, Irene Rabada, her brother, Daniel Dereskiewicz, and her son-in-law, Robin Dhoble. Chris is survived by her six children: Susan Dhoble, Scott Brauns (Paula), Steven Brauns (Lynn), Stacey Shanahan (Peter), Stephanie Brauns, and Sharyn Brauns. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Allison (Dhoble) Heyman (Brett), Trevor and Emily Dhoble, Taylor (Carla) and Austin Brauns, Camryn and Carsyn Brauns, Kyle and Evan Shanahan, Samantha, Téa and Tyler Gilbert, her great-grandson, Rory Heyman, her niece, Tracy (Rabada) Yocum (Jack) and great-nephew, Brayden Yocum.
Christine loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren over the years. She moved to Philadelphia, PA following high school, to Levittown, PA after marriage and eventually spent most of her years in Warrington, PA. She was a full-time mom for many years before re-entering the workforce. She retired in 1997 from her position with the Probation Department for the County of Bucks.
Chris was a very creative person, often winning prizes for her artwork while at Neshaminy Manor, and spent many hours completing Adult Coloring Books. She was an excellent seamstress and especially loved making Halloween costumes for her grandchildren, as well as adorable Raggedy Ann dolls and other crafts. Chris also enjoyed playing the lottery, reading, puzzles, listening to music, laughing and her most guilty pleasure: the gossip magazines.
Religious services will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin Street, Shenandoah with Reverend Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Dawn Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
Christine’s family wishes to thank the many staff members of Neshaminy Manor for the care and concern they provided her.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in care of arrangements. To offer a fond memory or a condolence to Christine’s family, please sign the guestbook below. Also, in lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting planting a tree, which can be done on this website, or visiting: https://kidsandart.org to donate in Christine’s memory.
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Prior to relocating to Ashland 55 years ago, Barry was a native of Pittsburgh, PA. After high school, Barry attended Youngstown State University and Bloomsburg University. He received a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. Barry was a teacher 30+ years for the North Schuylkill School district, Ringtown Elementary School. In addition to teaching, he worked for many years at Sears (Pottsville and Frackville). After Barry’s retirement, he enjoyed traveling, always looking for a great adventure and going to the casino.
Barry was the beloved spouse to his late wife, Pennee Morris, who passed away in 2016. He is survived by his daughter and son in-law, Chris and Carl Veach of Elysburg. Barry was thankful for the support of his good friend and caregiver. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Anne Morris, and his sister, Sandra Morris.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. At the request of the family memorial contributions can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 www.pancan.org,, or a charity of your choice.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Christine F. (Dereskiewicz) Brauns, 87 of Warrington, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Neshaminy Manor in Warrington.
Born on November 19, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Adolph and Frances (Harbaczewski) Dereskiewicz of Shenandoah, PA.
Preceding her in death were her husband, George C. Brauns, Jr., her sister, Irene Rabada, her brother, Daniel Dereskiewicz, and her son-in-law, Robin Dhoble. Chris is survived by her six children: Susan Dhoble, Scott Brauns (Paula), Steven Brauns (Lynn), Stacey Shanahan (Peter), Stephanie Brauns, and Sharyn Brauns. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Allison (Dhoble) Heyman (Brett), Trevor and Emily Dhoble, Taylor (Carla) and Austin Brauns, Camryn and Carsyn Brauns, Kyle and Evan Shanahan, Samantha, Téa and Tyler Gilbert, her great-grandson, Rory Heyman, her niece, Tracy (Rabada) Yocum (Jack) and great-nephew, Brayden Yocum.
Christine loved her family and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren over the years. She moved to Philadelphia, PA following high school, to Levittown, PA after marriage and eventually spent most of her years in Warrington, PA. She was a full-time mom for many years before re-entering the workforce. She retired in 1997 from her position with the Probation Department for the County of Bucks.
Chris was a very creative person, often winning prizes for her artwork while at Neshaminy Manor, and spent many hours completing Adult Coloring Books. She was an excellent seamstress and especially loved making Halloween costumes for her grandchildren, as well as adorable Raggedy Ann dolls and other crafts. Chris also enjoyed playing the lottery, reading, puzzles, listening to music, laughing and her most guilty pleasure: the gossip magazines.
Religious services will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin Street, Shenandoah with Reverend Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Dawn Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
Christine’s family wishes to thank the many staff members of Neshaminy Manor for the care and concern they provided her.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in care of arrangements. To offer a fond memory or a condolence to Christine’s family, please sign the guestbook below. Also, in lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting planting a tree, which can be done on this website, or visiting: https://kidsandart.org to donate in Christine’s memory.
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Louise was born in Tower City, February 17, 1928, a daughter of the late David and Mary Rodichok Schwenk. She was a graduate of the former Tower City High School.
Louise was a retired seamstress from the local garment industry.
She was a faithful member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tower City.
Louise will be remembered for her love and devotion to her family. She enjoyed the simple things in life, like admiring the birds from her window, watching Penn State and Notre Dame Football and Duke Basketball, cooking for her family, and spending time at camp.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Lawrence "Tuss" Boyer, 2010; two sisters, Frances McCusker and Phyllis Buggy; two brothers, Thomas and Paul Schwenk.
Surviving are her two sons, Larry Boyer and his wife Mary Beth, Dillsburg, and Dave Boyer and his wife Wendy, Mechanicsburg; three grandchildren, Marcie, Courtney and Collin; four great grandchildren, Morgan, Jaxson, Leah and Lucie.
Family and friends are invited to attend Louise's funeral services on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 1:30 PM from Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Please omit flowers. Donations in her memory can be made to Church of God Home, Activity Fund, 801 N. Hanover Street, Carlisle PA 17013.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City, is honored to serve the Boyer family.
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