Skook News Obituaries: October 5th, 2023
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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God wrapped his loving arms around a beloved husband, father, and pap. Emerson Charles Wolfgang, 77, of Ashland passed away Monday evening, October 2nd, 2023, at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville due to injuries sustained from an accident at home.
Emerson was born in Ashland, September 25th, 1946, a son of the late Emerson “Pink” and Polly (Haas) Wolfgang.
Ems was a 1964 graduate of Ashland High School.
Employed for several years in his twenties by the former Alcoa Aluminum in Cressona, Ems has always had a passion for things discarded by others. His dabbling in the scrap business blazed a trail that led to his long-term success in residential waste management as well as his fifteen years in the septic business and his fervor for collecting all things vintage auto.
In 1978, Ems, along with his wife, Helen, bought a 300 residence garbage route and, within a year, doubled the number of customers they served. The route grew rapidly until they attained more than 1,200 loyal households. Customers in Butler Township and Gordon relied on the weekly trash services of Wolfgang Hauling for more than 30 years.
Ems, with his signature ‘John Wayne’ presence and strong demeanor, is known for his sense of humor and stories, some too fantastic to be anything but true. Many will remember Ems for his contagious laugh and personality that was larger than life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emerson “Pink” and Polly Wolfgang and son, Steven Wolfgang.
In addition to his wife he is survived by; sister Carol “Cookie” Wolfgang, Frackville; brother Gene “Beano” Wolfgang, FL; son Ron E. Wolfgang (Alison), Wyoming PA; grandson Steven Wolfgang, Ashland; granddaughter Emily Wolfgang, NY; granddaughter Katie Wolfgang, Wyoming PA; niece Jeanine Sanko (Chuck), Gordon; nephew Terry Smith (Louann Fickinger), Gordon; great nieces & nephews Cory, Brittny, Sammy and TJ.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday October 7th at Christ’s United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road, Ashland. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m at the church. Burial will follow services at St. Joseph’s Cemetery-Fountain Springs.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Nancy L. Deskiewicz, 64, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, of Andreas, PA, died on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, in Bethlehem, PA. She was the wife of Mark Ritschel with whom she celebrated 9 years of marriage.
Born in Lansdale, PA on February 5, 1959, Nancy was a daughter of the late Harry E. and Shirley (Mitchell) Bossert. In addition to her husband, Mark, she is survived by a daughter, Renee Deskiewicz of Tamaqua; son, Steven Deskiewicz and his wife Amanda of Orefield, PA; grandchildren, Ella, Manci, Marli, and Logan; and sisters, Dee Haas, Sherry Taylor, Elaine Adams, and Cathy Matilumos.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Jimmy Bossert and a sister, Cincy Vincent.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ruth Steinert SPCA, PO Box 332, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 or online at www.rsmspca.org.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Born in Los Angeles, CA on February 20, 1968, he was the son of Willora Glee (Van Osdol) Krapf and the late Calvin A. Krapf, Jr. A 1989 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Allen was an attendant at the Weiss Gas Station at Weis Markets in Hazleton, PA. He also worked for Weiss Markets in Conshohocken, PA, Burger King in Tamaqua, and Tamaqua grocery stores.
Allen was a member of Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, Tamaqua and held a 4th degree black belt in Karate. He watched the Dallas Cowboys and Penn State football games; enjoyed driving; spent time on Facebook; and relaxed by coloring adult coloring books.
Allen is survived by his mother, Glee; a sister, Stacey Robin Cooper and her husband, Jeffrey of Plymouth Meeting, PA; a niece, Laura Cooper; and a nephew, Calvin Cooper.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, c/o The Rev. Kevin Roberts, 430 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Valerie Konski Lopez, 91, of Philadelphia and formerly of Tamaqua and Coaldale, died on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, in Philadelphia. She was the wife of the late Joseph R. Lopez who died in 2013.
Born on October 15, 1931, in Coaldale, Valerie was a daughter of the late Anthony and Sofia (Gural) Konski. A 1949 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, she was a proprietor of a beauty shop along with her sister, Victoria Demyanovich. Valerie was a steady, loyal, caring individual in all her relationships as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her creativity, style, and color were played out in her life and home.
Valerie is survived by her daughter Jessica L. Bunson and her husband Robert of Philadelphia; twin grandchildren, Samuel and Sophia Bunson; and many nieces and nephews. The youngest of twelve siblings, she was predeceased by all eleven of her older siblings.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Catherine Rose Krepps, 85, of Orwigsburg, passed away Wednesday, October 4th, at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Born in Pottsville on January 6, 1938, she was a daughter of the late Joseph & Mary (Buscavage) Gibbas.
She was the widow of Charles Leroy Krepps, Sr., who passed away in January, 1971.
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Catherine Rose Krepps, 85, of Orwigsburg, passed away Wednesday, October 4th, at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Born in Pottsville on January 6, 1938, she was a daughter of the late Joseph & Mary (Buscavage) Gibbas.
She was the widow of Charles Leroy Krepps, Sr., who passed away in January, 1971.
In addition to her parents and husband, Catherine is also preceded in death by her siblings: Eugene Gibbas, & Jennie Ostrosky.
She was of the Catholic faith, and enjoyed gardening.
Catherine had worked as a seamstress for several local textile factories including Peekaboo Styles, & Meck Knitting Mills.
She is survived by a daughter, Linda, wife of Christopher Cadau, of Shenandoah; a son, Charles "Chas" L. Krepps, Jr., husband of Audra, of Schuylkill Haven, two granddaughters: Diane Malafarina & husband, Russell, and Courtney Krepps & partner, Jacob Pfeiffer, and two great-grandchildren: Vincent, & Ava Malafarina.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, October 11th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven with Deacon Jack Quirk officiating. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 AM until the time of service.
Interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
Jason C. “Jay” Fritzinger, 46, of Brockton, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 in St. Lukes Hospital, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Tonya (Blickley) Fritzinger. They were married on June 1, 2002 and celebrated 21 years of marriage.
She was of the Catholic faith, and enjoyed gardening.
Catherine had worked as a seamstress for several local textile factories including Peekaboo Styles, & Meck Knitting Mills.
She is survived by a daughter, Linda, wife of Christopher Cadau, of Shenandoah; a son, Charles "Chas" L. Krepps, Jr., husband of Audra, of Schuylkill Haven, two granddaughters: Diane Malafarina & husband, Russell, and Courtney Krepps & partner, Jacob Pfeiffer, and two great-grandchildren: Vincent, & Ava Malafarina.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, October 11th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven with Deacon Jack Quirk officiating. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 AM until the time of service.
Interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
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Archie Myles Moore, 42, of Pottsville, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 29th, in his residence.
Born in Pottsville, on September 13, 1981, he was a son of the late Archie and Cleo W. (Bassininsky) Moore.
He was a 1999 graduate of Pottsville High School.
Archie proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and did three tours in the Persian Golf as a combat engineer.
He was employed by Cardinal Systems, of Schuylkill Haven, for six years as a production worker.
In addition to his parents, Archie was preceded in death by step-daughter, Brieze.
Archie is survived by his fiancee, Lisa Geist, and grandson, Cabrian Myles (who he was raising with Lisa), of Pottsville; grandchildren: Ameiyah and Elias; sisters: Kanya Krasinsky, of Port Carbon and Brenda Iacobacci, of Pottsville; brother, Aaron Moore, of Pottsville; step-children: Bianca, Tavian, and Kori; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 10th, at 11:00 a.m. at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Pastor Jim Shields officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time on service in the funeral home.
Interment with military honors will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
The family request contributions in Archie's memory be sent to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Pottsville, on September 13, 1981, he was a son of the late Archie and Cleo W. (Bassininsky) Moore.
He was a 1999 graduate of Pottsville High School.
Archie proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and did three tours in the Persian Golf as a combat engineer.
He was employed by Cardinal Systems, of Schuylkill Haven, for six years as a production worker.
In addition to his parents, Archie was preceded in death by step-daughter, Brieze.
Archie is survived by his fiancee, Lisa Geist, and grandson, Cabrian Myles (who he was raising with Lisa), of Pottsville; grandchildren: Ameiyah and Elias; sisters: Kanya Krasinsky, of Port Carbon and Brenda Iacobacci, of Pottsville; brother, Aaron Moore, of Pottsville; step-children: Bianca, Tavian, and Kori; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 10th, at 11:00 a.m. at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Pastor Jim Shields officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. until time on service in the funeral home.
Interment with military honors will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
The family request contributions in Archie's memory be sent to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
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Jason and Tonya have two sons, Timothy and Jacob. He was a devoted father and husband.
He was employed with Norfolk Southern as a railroad conductor and engineer. Born in Coaldale, he was the son of Brenda Tuckett of Lewistown Valley and Leonard Sr., and his wife, Linda, of Andreas. Jay was a long-time baseball coach and volunteer in the Tamaqua Area Baseball League. He enjoyed hunting and working. He loved spending time with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Ronald Tuckett, grandfather, Charles Gerber, and uncle, Richard Gerber.
Surviving in addition to his wife, children and parents, are two brothers; Leonard Jr., and his wife, Sabrina, of Lehighton, and Jesse, and his wife, Jill, of West Penn Township; maternal grandmother, Ruth Gerber, of Lewistown Valley; and nieces and nephews.
Contributions may be made to his children’s education fund, c/o Tonya Fritzinger, 317 Valley Street, Brockton, PA 17925. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold.
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