Skook News Obituaries: December 9th, 2023
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Shenandoah, September 6, 1947, He was a son of the late Peter and Monica (Vinskie) Pulakaitus. Joe and his sister Gerri were raised by their mother following their father’s untimely death in 1957.
He was a graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy.
Joseph P. Pulakaitus served in the US Army during the Vietnam War.
He retired from Zapata Industries, Frackville.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sister Geraldine “Gerri” Markovitch in January 2020.
Joe was a loving son and a very close brother to his sister. He was a very caring and devoted Uncle to Lori (Phil) McFadden and Cheryl Burk; loving Great Uncle to Erin (Corey) and their son Maverick Joseph Hart, Hannah and Sarah Burk.
Joe was a gentle soul always there to offer help and support everyone. Ever-loving of his family and close friends.
Joe loved his quiet humble life. He loved researching and collecting various items. He loved his time at the racetrack with his friends. He also enjoyed watching football and was an avid Eagles fan. Joe loved and supported his family and his great nieces and nephews who meant the world to him. He also loved his flannels and worn in jeans. Joe will be sadly missed by all. Joe was truly a gentle giant.
Burial with military honors will be privately at the convenience of the family at Annunciation BVM Roman Catholic Cemetery, Frackville. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Frackville American Legion 40 S. Mahanoy St. Frackville, PA 17931.
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Born in Pottsville, August 8, 1945, she was a daughter of the late Harold A. and Anna K. (Post) Wade. She was the wife of the late, William F. Troutman, Jr., for 35 years. He preceded her in death on January 31, 2005.
She was a 1964 graduate of Nativity B.V.M. High School. In 1986, she earned her certification as a geriatric nursing aide from the Schuylkill County Area Vocational-Technical School. She worked in the nursing field at the Good Samaritan Hospital, and as a private-duty nurse lovingly taking care of the elderly in their homes or at nursing facilities.
Mary was a member of Saint Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, helping with birthday cards for homebound members and peeling potatoes for the bleenies' sales at the church’s summer picnic. She volunteered with her children’s Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts organizations.
She was the self-proclaimed “best cheerleader at Nativity” and an avid fan of college basketball - hard to reach her when Duke or Nova were playing. Also enjoyed NBA basketball and Philadelphia sports teams. Mary was part of a tight group of girlfriends, “The Golden Girls”, that have been friends since high school. She welcomed a trip to the casino and enjoyed dancing at the former Pine View Acres. She experienced great joy from spending time with her children and grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, and her husband, she was preceded in death by brothers: Joseph, William, Edward, Vincent, Stephen, and Leonard Wade, and a sister Dolores Barnes.
Surviving are a daughter Meredith T. Velekei and husband, Patrick, of Wyomissing; a son William F. Troutman, III, and wife, Jaime, of Royersford; one of her life’s joys was being “Grammy” to five grandchildren: Jillian and Kara Velekei; and Juliana, William IV “Liam”, and Cecelia Troutman; also surviving is a brother Patrick Wade, of Schuylkill Haven; sisters Joanne Everdale and Loretta Snitzer, both of Port Carbon; sister-in-law Dorothy Gustitus, of Bel Air, MD, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carol and Basil Cherkis, of Williamsville, NY, several other in-laws who touched her life; and thirty-two nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, December 14, 2023 from Saint Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA 17901. The family will accept visitors Wednesday, December 13 from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM and Thursday morning from 8:30–9:30 AM at Robert A. Evans, Jr. Funeral Home, 208 Pike St. Port Carbon, PA 17965. Interment will be in Mount Peace Cemetery, Minersville-Llewelyn Highway.
Donations may be made in the memory of Mary to the William F. Troutman, Jr. Scholarship Fund.
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Born in Pottsville on October 28, 1982 he was the son of Jane E. (Parnell) Dougherty and John P. Dougherty Sr.
John was of the Protestant faith. He attended North Schuylkill High School.
He most recently worked for J.P. Mascaro in Allentown.
John enjoyed fishing, baseball and working on cars. He would often help and rescue stray animals. He would always help others through his kindness and caring nature He recently helped saved someone after a medical event while he was working.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents Jean and George Parnell.
John is survived by; mother Jane E. Dougherty, Frackville; aunt Georgine Parnell, Girardville; aunt Mary Ann Stutzman (Donald), Hegins; uncle George Parnell (Lorraine), Ashland; uncle Shawn Parnell, Girardville; uncle James Parnell, Girardville; cousins George Parnell and Patrick Parnell and their children Jacob and Brittany Parnell.
Services will be held privately at the family’s request.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Anna was born on October 10, 1921 at Court Neys in the Heckscherville Valley, a daughter of the late Charles and Julia (Lohin) Sinko.
She was the widow of John Leshko, whom she was married to on September 19, 1943 for 54 years. She was a life-long member of Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Minersville.
Anna was a graduate of Cass Township High School Class of 1939. After graduation, she was employed under the Signal Corps for the Budd Manufacturing Company in Philadelphia, making radio parts for the U.S. Army during World War II. After raising her family, she resumed work as a seamstress in the garment industry in Minersville.
In addition to her parents and her husband, John, she was preceded in death by her son, John C. Leshko, her daughter-in-law, Dolores (Kowalchick) Leshko, brothers, Charles Sinko and his wife, Mary; John Sinko and his wife, Anna; George Sinko and his wife, Anna; Michael Sinko and his wife, Jean and sisters, Veronica Sinko, Mary (Sinko) Petrishko and Irene (Sinko) Pavelko and her husband, Michael; and another brother, Michael Sinko, in infancy. She was the last surviving member of her family.
Anna is survived by three sons, Michael, husband of Marilyn, Whitehall; Joseph, Llewellyn; Charles, husband of Terri, West West Terrace and two daughters, Ann Marie, wife of James Yacobacci, Pottsville and Juliann, wife of Steven Yesalusky, Minersville.
She was affectionally known as Baba to her eighteen grandchildren, Jacquie (Leshko) Wapinsky (David), Stanley Leshko (Shelley), Robert Leshko (Jennifer), John T. Leshko (Amanda), Mark and Michael Leshko, Melissa (Leshko) Klinger (Mark), Michaeline (Leshko) Matz, Jeremy Leshko, Martina (Leshko) Buffington (Ryan), Maria (Yacobacci) Eisenhart (James), Michael Yacobacci (Felicia), Anthony Yacobacci (Kathy Scioli), Shana (Yesalusky) Ponter (Thomas), Adam Yesalusky (Kristine), Lauren (Leshko) Thompson (Keith), Leah (Leshko) Eichenberg (Garrett) and Christopher Leshko.
Anna was also lovingly referred to as Baba 2-2 by her 34 great-grandchildren, Cory Brown (Cameron), Eric and Abbey Wapinsky, Logan, Bailey, Garrett, Keaton (Katie), Halen, Avery, John T., Jr., Cameron and Reese Leshko, Anna and Emelia Leshko, Colton, Wyatt and Easton Klinger, Elizabeth (Hammer) Diaz (Jose), Madeline and Julia Matz, Colby and Harmon Leshko, Charlotte and Nathan Buffington, Brady and Alexa Eisenhart, Layla and Eva Yacobacci, Nolan and Landyn Ponter, Lily, Carter and Irelyn Yesalusky and Charlee Jean Thompson. She also had 3 great-great grandchildren, Rowan Brown, Nilsa Anne Diaz and Huxley Leshko. She is also survived by a former daughter-in-law, Linda McDonald and many nieces and nephews.
Mom/Baba was strong in her Byzantine Catholic faith, always in prayer, and devoted to her church. She was a dedicated role model and matriarch to her family, and enjoyed attending all her grandchildren’s sports events and school activities. She was known for her Paska (Easter Bread) and nut rolls, which she shared with her family and friends.
All are respectfully invited to attend a Visitation Tuesday, with calling hours from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville. The Rite of Parastas shall commence at 6:00 pm with the Very Rev. Gregory J. Noga celebrant. Additional visitation Wednesday, 6:30 to 9:30 am. The Office of Christian Burial Divine Liturgy shall be celebrated Wednesday, 10 am at Ss. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Minersville with the Very Rev. Gregory J. Noga celebrant. Interment Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anna’s name to Ss. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church Memorial Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org/donate
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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