Skook News Obituaries: December 5th, 2023
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Brooklyn, New York on October 26, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Mary (Callaghan) and Joseph Powderly.
Marcella was the widow of William T. Coffey who passed away in 1983. She was preceded in death by her sister Barbara Hickey, brother in law James Hickey and nephew Steven Hickey.
She graduated from St. Edmund's All Girls Catholic School in Brooklyn, New York.
Marcella was employed as a clerk at Big Bear Grocery, Ohio, and prior to that she worked at Hill's Shoe Department in Cressona.
She was a member of the St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church and the St. Ambrose Sodality, Schuylkill Haven. She also served as a Cub Scout Leader.
Marcella had quite the sweet tooth, especially for ice cream. Marcella loved her cats, especially her beloved "Butler".
Marcella is survived by two sons, William J., husband of Amanda Coffey, of Auburn; Brian L., husband of Karen Coffey, of Cressona; and a granddaughter, Jessica L., wife of Brian Christiana, of Shamokin. She is also survived by nieces, Tracy and Mary Hickey, and nephew, Jimmy Hickey.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 AM on Thursday, December 14th at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Schuylkill Haven, PA with Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik officiating. Entombment will follow the service at St. Ambrose Mausoleum.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Alzheimer's Foundation of America 322 8th Avenue, 16th floor New York, NY 10001 or American Cancer Society.
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Born July 2,1937 in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Harry and Antoinette (Belmonte) Houseknecht.
A graduate of St. Clair High School, he went on to work in Insurance Sales and the Schuylkill County Tax Assessment Office. After retirement John worked in the pro shop at the Mountain Valley Golf Course.
He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, St. Clair, Knights of Columbus St. John Neumann Regional Council 14009, St. Clair, Friedensburg Fish & Game, Locust Valley Fish & Game, North Ward Social Club, Schuylkill Haven.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine (Szeliga) Houseknecht in 2008.
Surviving are son John M. Houseknecht and his wife Nancy of St. Clair, daughter Lynn Houseknecht and her companion William Guyeski, two grandsons, Gunnar Houseknecht and his wife Meghan of Bath, Garrett Houseknecht and his companion Ashley of Hanover, brother Michael Houseknecht and his wife Sally of St. Clair, sister Ann Marie O’Boyle of Minersville, nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday December 6, 2023 from St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, 250 East Hancock Street, St Clair, PA 17970. Rev. Msgr. William Glosser will be officiating. Friends may call from 9 -10:30 AM at the Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street, St. Clair, PA 17970. Burial will be in St. Boniface Cemetery, St. Clair.
In lieu of flowers donations in John’s name can be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
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He was a loving and devoted husband to Marjorie and beloved father of three daughters, Leora, Jane and Harriet.
Harry graduated from Pine Grove High School with the class of 1944. Included in his High School achievements was being a member of the 1st championship basketball and baseball teams in 1943-1944. Harry was coached by the legendary Coach Carmine Pepe. He was also a graduate of Central Penn Business College, Harrisburg.
After graduation, Harry left for WWII as a volunteer enlisted soldier and joined the Pacific Campaign. Harry served his country from 1944 to 1946. In that time, Harry received 1 Bronze Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and WWII Victory Medal. During this time Harry was privileged to have gotten to know and welcome back the POW's from Bataan and Corregidor, among whom was Gen. Jonathan M. "Skinny" Wainright. He took pride in the fact that he was "one of many men that served."
Upon returning home in 1946, he continued his love of athletic competition and played sports such as baseball and basketball in the Pine Grove area. Up until his death you would see Harry take walks in Pine Grove to stay physically and mentally fit.
Harry retired from Fort Indiantown Gap in January of 1987. He also worked for ALCOA for 15 years, the United States Postal Service for 5 years and conducted Fessler Rug Cleaning Service for 12 years.
He was active in his community all his life. He was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Pine Grove, where he was a Sunday School teacher for 25 years, served as a lector and usher and helped with other volunteer duties as needed. He was a lifelong member of DAV, Pine Grove American Legion Post 374, Pine Grove VFW Post 3432 and he served on the joint Honor Guard for many years. He was a member of the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge 409 F. & A.M. for more than 60 years. Harry was most proud of his "Honorary Membership" in the 507 Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division of WWII (in which his brother John served and was mortally wounded on June 10, 1944.) Harry was and always will be a true patriot to his wife, family and friends.
Harry was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles Fan.
Preceding him in death were his wife of almost 65 years, Marjorie Machamer Fessler; parents, Leo J. and Florence Kimmel Fessler; three brothers, Infant Robert, John (WWII Killed in Action), William (retired 30 years military); two sisters, Marguerite Donmoyer, RN and Jean Reed, RN.
Surviving are three daughters, Leora Kirkpatrick of Wormleysburg, Jane and husband Robert Wolfe of Pine Grove, Harriet and husband Mark Kutz of Lebanon; seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, one great great grandchild; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Services on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 222 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove with SALM John Ziegler and Rev. Mark Kutz officiating. There will be a viewing on Friday, December 8, 2023 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Church. Interment will follow in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 222 S. Tulpehocken 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 Frackville, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary El-Hajj Ellis.
She was a dedicated member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville. She enjoyed cooking Lebanese food, going to the casinos and playing bingo, but her love and care of family always came first.
She was preceded in death by her brother Leonard Ellis and her great-grandson Jacob Michael.
Alice is survived by her husband of 72 years, Andrew F. Eick; her three daughters: Barbara Eick-Dalby wife of Jesse Dalby, Kansas City, MO; Andrea Ansbach, Fountain Springs and Christina Maurer, Frackville; eight Grandchildren: Andrew (Kim), Michael ( Rebecca), Heather ( Taylor), Jacob, Eric, Jeremy (Ellen), Autumn (Donald J.) and Alix; seven Great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 49 N. Line Street Frackville, with Rev. Giuseppe Esposito, pastor, as the celebrant. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville
Sign the guest book, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville, is in charge of arrangements.
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Theresa Louise Hardnock, 94, of Ashland passed away early Tuesday morning December 5th at Providence Place-Pottsville.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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