Skook News Obituaries: December 28, 2023
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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LaDean A Lucas, age 91, of Hegins, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Mt Carmel Senior Living Center.She was born on Tuesday, March 8, 1932, in Gordan, a daughter of the late Timothy W Hubler and the late Anna E (Koslosky) Hubler.
She was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Pottsville.
LaDean enjoyed spending time with family, baking, and cooking for her family.
Her husband, Stanley E Lucas, passed away in 1997. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Hubler and Glen Hubler, and three sisters, Helen Proctor, Marion Kaufman, and Eleanor Schronick.
She is survived by four sons, Stanley Lucas and his wife Rebecca of Northumberland, James Lucas and his wife Pamela of Pine Grove, Daniel Lucas and his wife Emma of Williamsport, and Corey Lucas and his wife Kelly of Hegins; a daughter, Rose Ney and her husband Clyde of Captiva, FL; ten grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Lou Bader of Valley View and Dorothy Deeter of Hegins; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2653 Woodglen Road, Pottsville, on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 11:00 am, with Elder Al Leininger officiating.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday at the Kingdom Hall.
Burial will be in Donaldson Community Cemetery, Donaldson.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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Darryl L. "Shorty" Reinoehl, 72, of Tower City, passed away very unexpectedly Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at his camp in Pine Grove.
Born in Lykens, December 22, 1951, a son of the late Walter and Annie Neidlinger Reinoehl. He was a 1970 graduate of Williams Valley High School.
Shorty retired from AMP/TYCO after 33 years, where he was a Maintenance Repairman.
He was a member of the Joliett Fire Company and the Pine Grove VFW.
Shorty was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed nothing more than taking in all nature has to offer. His greatest joys were when he was in the mountains hunting or by a body of water fishing. He could often be found at his camp in Pine Grove, a place he loved to spend time.
His love for the outdoors led him to being the Grounds Officer Anthracite Upland Conservation Group.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Denise Long Reinoehl, his son, Zach Reinoehl (Ashley), Tower City; siblings, Harry Neidlinger, Nevada and Rose Krause (Rich), Pine Grove.
Memorial service will be held on Tuesday at 7:00 pm from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc, Tower City with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. In lieu of flowers donations in Shorty's name can be made to Anthracite Upland Conservation Group, 15 N. First Street, Tower City, PA 17980.
Born in Lykens, December 22, 1951, a son of the late Walter and Annie Neidlinger Reinoehl. He was a 1970 graduate of Williams Valley High School.
Shorty retired from AMP/TYCO after 33 years, where he was a Maintenance Repairman.
He was a member of the Joliett Fire Company and the Pine Grove VFW.
Shorty was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed nothing more than taking in all nature has to offer. His greatest joys were when he was in the mountains hunting or by a body of water fishing. He could often be found at his camp in Pine Grove, a place he loved to spend time.
His love for the outdoors led him to being the Grounds Officer Anthracite Upland Conservation Group.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Denise Long Reinoehl, his son, Zach Reinoehl (Ashley), Tower City; siblings, Harry Neidlinger, Nevada and Rose Krause (Rich), Pine Grove.
Memorial service will be held on Tuesday at 7:00 pm from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc, Tower City with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. In lieu of flowers donations in Shorty's name can be made to Anthracite Upland Conservation Group, 15 N. First Street, Tower City, PA 17980.
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He was born December 29, 1952, in Philadelphia, a son of the late Walter R. and Lucy Sandrock Seifert.
Father Seifert attended Saint Patrick Elementary School, Pottsville and was a 1970 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville. Father received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Scranton with a minor in concentrations in Psychology and Communications which he received in 1977. He also received a Master of Divinity Degree from Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton. Father pursued advanced studies in Ministry to the Deaf and Hearing Impaired at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. and advanced studied were also completed at the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Marriage and Family Studies, Washington, D.C. as well as advanced studies in Theology at Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton.
He was ordained to the Priesthood on 23 May 1981 by the Most Reverend Joseph M. McShea, Bishop of Allentown, at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
Father Seifert’s first assignment was Professor, Allentown Central Catholic High School. He then served as Professor, Bethlehem Catholic High School followed by Director of Spiritual Activities, Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua. Father also served as the Chaplain, Saint Christopher Catholic Newman Center, Kutztown University.
Father Seifert’s first assignment as a Pastor was at Annunciation of the BVM Parish, Shenandoah, St. Mary Parish, Ringtown, and St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Lost Creek, followed by Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Easton and Pastor, St. Stephen of Hungary Parish, Allentown.
Father Seifert also served as Parochial Vicar, Holy Guardian Angels Parish, Reading; Parochial Vicar, St Patrick Parish, Pottsville; and Parochial Administrator, Ss. Peter and Paul Parish, Lehighton.
During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Seifert served as Regional Director, Apostolate for the Deaf; Catholic Social Agency, Deaf Apostolate; Assistant, Episcopal Master of Ceremonies; Member, Diocesan Textbook Review Committee; Secretary, Diocesan Task Force on Chastity; Diocesan Director, Prison Ministry; Pastoral Ministry, Schuylkill Medical Center, Pottsville; and Priest Director, Region V, Catholic Youth Organization.
On 7 January 2020, Father Seifert was granted the status of a Retired Priest of the Diocese of Allentown.
He is survived by a sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Yanni, and her husband, Robert of Pottsville; a niece and 2 nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11AM Wednesday at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville with his Excellency, The Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L, Bishop of Allentown as Main Celebrant and Homilist. Family and Friends are invited to a viewing from 5-7PM Tuesday and from 9:30AM-10:30AM Wednesday at the church. A Vigil service will be conducted at 7PM Tuesday at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, with Msgr. William F. Glosser, V.F. presiding and Rev. Bernard J. Ezaki, President of Catholic Mission and Identity, Bethlehem Catholic High School as Homilist. Interment will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Father Seifert be made to St. Patrick Memorial 319 Mahantongo St, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.
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She was born March 28, 1955 in Shenandoah, a daughter of Nancy Nicholas Buehler, Pottsville and the late James Strohecker.
She was a 1974 graduate of Pottsville Area High School.
Liz was employed by the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority for 48 years prior to retiring.
Liz was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Pottsville.
Throughout her life, Liz was an avid reader and had a very generous and giving spirit. She had a special relationship with her grandchildren Evan and Maeve. Her home was her sanctuary and paradise.
Surviving in addition to her mother are her son, Andrew Strohecker and his wife Jillian; 2 grandchildren Evan and Maeve; a brother, Kurt Strohecker and his wife Cherryl, Ocean Side, CA; a sister Krista Clauser and her husband Aaron, Kutztown; a stepmother Donna Strohecker, Kutztown; nieces, nephews and many friends.
A Service of Remembrance will be held 10:30AM Thursday, Jan 4th at the Chapel of Resurrection at Charles Baber Cemetery with Rev. Cannon Clifford Carr, Rev. Kurt Kovalovich and Rev. Timothy Albright officiating. Inurnment will be in Charles Baber Cremation Niches outside of the chapel. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Liz be made to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901. Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.
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Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 7, 1946, he was the son of the late Gwendolyn (Lilkok) and Byrl Gideon.
Ted was the husband of Lisa (Litteken) Gideon.
After graduation from Hershey High School in Wichita Falls, Texas, Ted received a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Midwestern State University.
Ted was employed as a plant controller and accountant for various companies. After retirement, he was employed as a driver for Auto Zone.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War as a flight mechanic on the U.S.S. Midway and the U.S.S. Coral Seas.
Ted was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Ted was a gracious, loving, and caring husband, father, and grandfather. He may have been a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened.
In addition to his wife, Ted is survived by three sons, Timothy P. Gideon, partner of Landon Moses, of Lancaster; Andrew B., husband of Amy Gideon, of Felton; Paul J. Gideon, partner of Leah Humes, of Bethlehem; a brother, James, husband of Laura Gideon, of Wichita Falls, TX; and a sister-in-law, Denise Litteken. He is also survived by grandchildren, Callie J. Gideon, Nolan B. Gideon, and Lee James Gideon.
In addition to his parents, Ted is preceded in death by a sister, Mary Calvin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, January 2nd at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven with Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:15 until 10:15 AM at the church.
Interment will take place at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, January 3rd at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to St. Ambrose Memorial Fund, 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 or the Disabled Americans Veterans Organization, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
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Emerson was born on April 23, 1930 in Emmaus, PA, the son of the late Henry S., and Blanche (Rahn) Musser. He was also pre-deceased by his wife of 61 years, Joyce (Lux) Musser on May 15, 2019; and his brother, Wallace Musser.
Surviving are his daughters whom he adored, JoAnn M Santizo wife of Roberto of Fairport, NY, Linda M. Lakitsky of Chestertown, MD; brother, Alan Musser of Carlisle, PA; grandchildren, who lovingly called him Poppy - Chelsea and her husband Max, Benjamin, Sarah, and Emma; and great grandchildren, Otto, Ry, and Mylo.
A graduate of Emmaus High School, Emerson served honorably in the United States Navy during the Korean War from 1948 - 1952, earning his certification as a diesel mechanic. He was employed by Sun Oil Company a total of 40 years, 37 of those as a fuel tanker truck driver. During his time on the road, the company recognized him with multiple Safe Driver Awards. He was also an active member of his employee union, even serving one term as the organization’s President.
He met his beloved wife, Joyce, as they both participated in a bowling league. They married in 1958, and soon settled in Hometown, PA where they lived happily until they moved to assisted living in 2016.
Emerson was a longstanding member of the Hometown Fire Company, which he joined in 1959. In those years, he served as President, Vice Chairman, and from 1991 until 2016 as the Financial Secretary. He was instrumental in coordinating the Sunday Breakfast Fund Raiser, which did provide necessary funding for the organization, but more importantly to Emerson, it became a popular community gathering.
His tireless dedication to the community earned him two prestigious awards:
In 2008, Emerson received the President’s Call to Service Award for donating over 4,000 hours of volunteer service over his lifetime. In addition to the Hometown Fire Company, he was also a driver for the Tamaqua Meals-on-Wheels program and a Hospital Greeter and Pharmacy Runner at St Luke’s Miners Memorial Medical Center.
His second award came in 2010, when Emerson was honored by the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce with their Citizen of the Year Award.
Throughout his life, Emerson was an ardent sports’ fan, and a loyal supporter of Penn State Football and the Philadelphia Phillies. Emerson enjoyed golf, playing cards, bowling, and hunting. His passion for the ocean, led him to his two favorite vacation spots. While raising his family, they vacationed each year in Stone Harbor, NJ; and once retired, he and Joyce enjoyed their vacations in Marco Island, FL.
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 noon from the funeral home. Friends may call from 10:30 A.M. until time of remembrances.
Interment with Military Honors bestowed will immediately follow at Sky-View Memorial Park, Tamaqua, PA.
A luncheon will be held in Emerson’s honor at his much-loved Hometown Volunteer Fire Company.
Please send any Memorials in his name to the Hometown Volunteer Fire Co.
45 Mahanoy Ave. Tamaqua, Pa 18252
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Donna A. (Trutt) Richart, 70 of Shenandoah Heights passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at Schuylkill Center, Pottsville.
Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin Street, Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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She was born on Saturday, July 12, 1930, in Barry Twp, a daughter of the late Luther V Wedde and the late Anna M (Hinkel) Wedde.
She was a 1948 graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School.
Annetta worked at Twin Valley Farmers Exchange, Hegins, prior to her retirement.
She was a member of St. John's "Kimmel's" Church, Ashland.
Annetta was an excellent baker, enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, and word search puzzles..
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harry S Wedde and Boyd L Wedde.
She is survived by her husband Harvey Wayne Troup, to whom she was married for 59 years.
She is also survived by a sister, Margaret J Mitchell and her husband Edward of Barry Twp.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc, Valley View, on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Bonnie Yeager officiating.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in St. John's "Kimmel's" Cemetery, Ashland.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. John's "Kimmel's" Church, 1263 Deep Creek Road, Ashland PA 17921.
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Grace's family had been living in Valley View about two years when she was born; prior to that they had lived near Rough and Ready, Pa.. Grace attended school in Valley View until she and her classmates moved in October 1928 into the newly built school that is now the Tri-Valley Junior-Senior High School, graduating in 1933. She attributed school librarian Clara Dyer Coleman--who had also been an advisor for youth activities that Grace enjoyed--with convincing her to attend Kutztown. She became a 1935 graduate of the two-year elementary curriculum at Kutztown State Teachers College, returning to complete her bachelor's degree in 1940. She was the Grand Marshal of Kutztown University's Sesquicentennial Parade in 2016. She did further study at Bloomsburg and Elizabethtown to become certified in 1959 to teach in special education and also did graduate work in the 1960s and 1970s at Bloomsburg and Millersville to earn her Master's Equivalent.
In the summer of 1937 Grace joined friend Mary Hoffman to work at the Miller Cottage hotel in Atlantic City, where she met Carl B. Shankweiler of Kutztown, whom she married April 12, 1941. They had two children, Carl D. Shankweiler (Cynthia Herb), a Lutheran pastor, and Sally Sue Reeser (Ronald Crider, Robert Reeser), a retired reading teacher and church musician. She is also survived by three granddaughters (Rana Dimmig, Amanda Crider, and Anna Crider) and three great-grandchildren (Malachy, Kaylee, and Mackenzie Dimmig).
Over her career, Grace worked as a teacher in the first, second, and third grades and in special education, all in Hegins Township schools and its successor, Tri-Valley. (She did not teach special education in Mar Lin, as a 2021 article about her stated.) She retired in 1979. A former student who remained in touch with Grace to the end of her life, Betty Jane Guers Tyndall, calls Grace "the most gentle, kind, caring teacher I ever had. She left such a big impact on my life." Another former student, Kay Minnich Morrow, one of Grace's first students in first grade, wrote in her greeting on Grace's 100th birthday, "I love the way you have always remained so active, so optimistic, and so completely absorbed and kind to others. In my mind, Grace, you have always been beautiful inside and out."
Grace's husband Carl, a World War II veteran who worked as a pressman at Seider's Printing, Pottsville, for the last two decades of his career, also retired in 1979 and died in 1983. Grace remained active in community activities such as Senior Citizens, Meals on Wheels, church activities (she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley View), traveling, and games with groups of friends. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and made big charts of her family's genealogy. She was an avid reader and Scrabble player until her eyesight made those activities impossible; but she continued to enjoy recorded books and the video lectures that she, Carl, and Cynthia watched together. In 2020 at age 104 and for the first time in her life, she recorded a video endorsement for presidential candidate Joseph Biden.
Considering the world in which she lived, Grace once wrote, "If I could change anything that happened in the past it would be to eliminate wars. Having lived through one (meaning World War II) and realizing the destruction that wars cause, I would like to see countries settling their differences with words instead of bombs!"
Grace drove a car until she was 97 and lived by herself until she was 100, joining her son and daughter-in-law only after she suffered a fall. She enjoyed relatively good health and was basically able to care for herself until early December. When asked often what the secret to her long life had been, she would usually respond, "three almonds a day." Her family would add it was her strong will to be independent and drive to put one foot in front of the other, even when there was hardship. Her focus on positive thinking, forgiveness, and love has impacted us all. Grace is remembered fondly as "amazing" in many ways.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Carl B. and Grace A. Shankweiler Fund for Education at Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 153, Valley View, PA 17983. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 11:00 a.m. at Trinity, 1220 W. Maple St., Valley View.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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William was born in West Hazleton on March 1, 1941, the son of the late James and Marie (Lodderhose) Bradley. After graduating high school, William honorably served his country in the United States Army. He then embarked on his career, retiring after many years in Sales.
In earlier years, he was very athletic and enjoyed weightlifting and swimming. After being diagnosed with Parkinsons', he remained positive and continued to stay active with rock-steady boxing and various therapies.
Throughout his life he enjoyed traveling, trips to the beach, working on cars, and helping his children with projects around the house. He was also a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and could often be found cheering them on with his family and friends.
William will be remembered for his warm heart, his sense of humor, and his unwavering love for his family. His passing is a great loss to his friends, family, and community.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Robert. He was a member of St, Joseph's Church in Sheppton where he found comfort and solace in difficult times.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marie Joyce (Antonelli) Bradley, and their children, a daughter, Justine, wife of Keith Holton of Exton Pa, a son, William Bradley and his wife Eleanor of Zion Grove Pa, and four grandchildren, whom he enjoyed spending time with, Zachary, Ava, Matt and Fred. A brother, Richard Bradley of West Hazleton also survives along with nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 5th, 2023 at 11 AM in St. Joseph's Church, Sheppton. A time for visitation will be held from 10-11 AM in the church prior to the time of Mass. William will be laid to rest at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Sheppton with military honors immediately following the Mass.
The Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home is honored to assist William's family during this time of need.
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John E. Hood, 54, of 11th Street, Ashland, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at his residence.
The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, will announce funeral arrangements.
Kenneth M. Paul, 87, Walnut St., Ashland, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at his residence.
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The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, will announce funeral arrangements.
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