Skook News Obituaries: January 1st, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Danielle Fetterolf, 85, of Llewellyn, Branch Township, passed away on Friday at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born on December 7, 1938, in Brier City, Norwegian Township, she was a daughter of the late Daniel E. Essler and the late Ethel J. (nee Eichenberg) Essler. She was a 1957 graduate of Minersville High School.
A stay-at-home Mom, Danielle was the matriarchal glue that created the strong family bond among her children and grandchildren that continues today. She was raised in the Lutheran faith, and ensured that her family was so raised. She was an animal lover.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David H. Fetterolf, Sr., in 2018; a daughter, Theresa Hudson; a brother, Donald Essler; a sister, Rose Essler, in infancy.
Danielle is survived by four remaining children, David H. Fetterolf Jr., Seltzer, Jayne Fetterolf, Minersville, JoAnn Fetterolf and her companion, Dennis, Schuylkill Haven, and Kim Fetterolf and her companion, Jim Tropp, Pottsville; six grandchildren, Travis Fetterolf, Michael Kachmar, Mariah Kachmar-Kane and her spouse, Anthony Kane, Tony Carr, David Carr and Ian Buffington; two great-grandchildren, Emma Buffington and Tucker Carr. She is also survived by six remaining siblings, Maxine Brozana, Mar Lin, Beverly Brown, Minersville, Daniel "Cowboy" Essler Jr., Stoughton, Wisconsin, Sandra Lindenmuth, Schuylkill Haven, Edward "Fred" Essler, Minersville, and Richard Essler, Pottsville; nieces and nephews; her feline friend, Precious.
The family will accept visitors at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Friday from 8:00 A.M. until services at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be in Mount Peace Cemetery, Branch Township. Visit www.dutcavich.com.
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Born on November 5, 1929, in Minersville, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Sakalusky. She was a 1947 graduate of Minersville High School and received her bachelor’s degree from Kutztown State Teachers College. She worked in Texas before settling in Columbia, Maryland, where she worked as a counselor at Baltimore County Community College. Upon retirement, she moved to Asheville.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Watson; three nieces, Deborah Dutcavich, Karen Dronick and Melissa Bugbee.
Theresa is survived by nieces and nephews, including Janice Warischalk, Florida, William Watson, Whitehall, and David Watson, New Jersey.
The family will accept visitors at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Saturday, January 6, from Noon to 1:00 P.M. Interment will be in Mount Peace Cemetery, Branch Township. Visit www.dutcavich.com.
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Born in Coaldale, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late David, and Susan (Harakel) Hughes. Suzanne was also predeceased by; sisters, Margaret Stahler, Janice Keller, Mary Kern; brothers, David "Sonny", William, Michael "Mickey" Hughes; nieces, Mary Ann Hughes, and Amanda Nicole Mason.
Surviving are brother-in-laws, David Kern, Robert Stahler, Gary Keller; nieces, and nephews.
Suzanne attended Tamaqua Area Schools, and was a member of St. John XXIII R.C.C. of Tamaqua. Suzanne also belonged to the Holy Cross Fraternity, and Lansford Golden Age Club. Suzanne enjoyed playing bingo, and cards. An integral part to her family, Suzanne could always be counted on to babysit, for she adored her nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements 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 Friday January 5, 2024 at 11 o'clock A.M. from the funeral home. Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services.
Interment will be in Sky-View Memorial Park, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in Suzanne's name to:
Ruth Steinert Memorial S.P.C.A.
18 Wertz Dr.
Pine Grove, PA 17963
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Born Thursday, September 24,1936 in Kittery, Maine the daughter of the late Crane Allen and Faustena (Hapworth) Morrison. Ruth was also predeceased by; husband Roland Richard Wagner; brothers, Phillip, Stanley Morrison.
A homemaker, Ruth was an Advent Christian. A graduate of Marshwood High School in Eliot Maine. Ruth and Roland enjoyed camping with family and friends.
Surviving are; daughter, Sherry Fulmer wife of Michael; sons, Raleigh W. Wagner and his companion Tina Goss, Larry Wagner, David Wagner and his wife Natalie;8 grandchildren, Michelle, John, Eric, Charisma, Anthony, Derek, Daniel, Vanessa;5 great grandchildren, Morrel, Addison, Deliah, Owen and Hailey.
Pending arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
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Ray was born in Blue Island, Illinois, December 22,1926, a son of the late Rafael Sr. and Francesca Vargas Madrigal.
Ray proudly served his country in the United States Army for 22 years serving in three wars, WWII, three tours in Korea and Vietnam. Ray served under Generals Patton and MacArthur. He entered in 1945 training in Ft. Lewis Washington, 1946 in Japan, 1948 in Korea, 1949 in Japan, 1950 in Korea, 1954 in Germany, 1961 in Korea, 1965 in Vietnam, 1967 in Ft. Hood Texas, retiring in 1967 as Sergeant First Class E-7. He also served state side, in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, California, Washington and Hawaii. Over his military career, he received the following awards, Bronze Star, Commendation, Good Conduct, WW2 Victory, Occupation, Japan & Germany National Defense with Oak leaf, Korean Campaign with 4 stars and 1 arrowhead, United Nations Korean Defense, Vietnam Campaign with 1 star and Vietnam Service Award. He also received the Presidential Citations; United States, Korea and Vietnam, Ambassador for Peace, Korean Government and Korean War 50th Anniversary. Ray was honored by General George Joulwan as Veteran of the Year. There was also a proclamation made in his name at the Schuylkill County Courthouse for his service to our country.
Following his distinguished military career, Ray worked as a Master Mechanic at Exxon Chemical retiring in 1988.
He was a member of numerous veteran’s committees and organizations, including Disabled American Veterans, the Pine Grove VFW, Pine Grove American Legion, AMVETS, and the Catholic War Veterans. Ray also volunteered with the color guard, honoring many deceased veterans at funeral services for over 15 years.
He attended Most Blessed Catholic Parish, Tremont, a member of the Tremont Senior Citizens and volunteered for over 15 years at the Tremont Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Above all, Ray's family was everything to him. His grandchildren and great grandchildren brought him great joy and pride.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Janice Miller Madrigal; his two sons, Robert Madrigal and his wife Debra, Schuylkill Haven and William Madrigal and his wife Maryann, Port Carbon. A stepdaughter Lynn Bain, San Diego, CA, two stepsons; Frank Bain, Donaldson and Randall Bain, Tremont. 17 grand and great grandchildren including grandchildren, William Madrigal Jr., Pottsville, and Marguerite Madrigal, Florida, and great grandson, Matthew Madrigal.
A funeral service with full military honors at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery will be announced in the Spring.
The family wishes a very special thank you to the doctors, nurses and medical staff at the Hershey Medical Center and its Intensive Care Unit as well as Chaplin Captain James, from Ft. Indiantown Gap for his visit.
Memorial donations in Ray's name can be made to the Pine Grove VFW, 40 S Tulpehocken St #1012, Pine Grove, PA 17963 or the Pine Grove American Legion, 42 S Tulpehocken St, Pine Grove, PA 17963
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City is honored to serve Ray's family.
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Edward “Hook” Humes, 97, of Girardville passed away Sunday morning December 31st at Serenity Gardens in Kulpmont.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Health and Rehab. Center in Allentown, Pa. He was the husband of Eleanor (Haas) Miller with
whom he celebrated 63 years of marriage on December 24, 2023.
He was born in West Penn Township, a son of the late Claude and Clara (Miller) Miller. Morris was a Korean War Veteran having served with the U.S. Army. He was a truck driver for various trucking Companies for 47 years and he also later worked at the former K and K Auto Parts Co. Tamaqua.
In addition to his wife he is survived by two sisters: Mary Nester of New Ringgold and Ellen Haas of Auburn, Pa and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 13 siblings.
His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM in the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2066 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold, Pa, with a calling hour beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment in Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown, Pa with Alan Hartman officiating.
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Born in Shenandoah on July 10th, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Adam and Monica (Wojdak) Balkiewicz.
She was a 1949 graduate of the J.W. Cooper High School. She became certified as a nursing assistant through the Schuylkill I.U..
She worked as a Medical Assistant for the late Dr. Joseph Rusnock and the late Dr. Stanley Stanulonis. In addition, Gloria filled the role of Secretary for Choplick Burial Vaults for over 50 years.
Gloria was a lifelong member of St. Casimir’s Roman Catholic Church, presently Divine Mercy Parish of Shenandoah.
Gloria was a long-time member and soloist with the St. Cecilia Choir, St. Casimir’s, having been asked to share her talents at many weddings and funerals. In addition, she was also a member of St. Casimir’s Lady’s Guild, Rosary, and Sacred Heart Societies.
Gloria was a member and past president of the Shenandoah Valley School District School Board.
She was also a member of the National Associates of Physician’s Nurses, the Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens, and the Shenandoah Valley Alumni Band.
While spending time at her winter home in South Carolina, she was a member of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church and a member of its choir. She also enjoyed singing with several ensembles, and various clubs in Sun City, Bluffton, South Carolina.
Gloria was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family on holidays and special occasions.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Walter, in 2020, her brothers, Adam Jr., and John Balkiewicz, and Frank Balcavage, her sisters Estelle Asenavage, Anna Kravitz, Helen Banis, and Laura Page.
Surviving are her son Walter J. Choplick, Jr. and his wife Helene of Shenandoah Heights, who were her caregivers, and her daughter Gloria Schelling and her husband Drew of West Chester, PA. Gloria is also survived by her grandchildren, Debra Moore and her husband Ed, Andrew Schelling IV and his wife Jennifer, Denise Choplick and her husband Nelson Gomez, Walter Jeffery Choplick, and eight great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 6th at 10:00 am at Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, pastor, as the celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Casimir’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Saturday morning between 8:30 am and 10:00 am at Divine Mercy Church, prior to Mass.
Her family requests donations to the Father Walter Ciszek Memorial Fund, or the Divine Mercy Memorial Fund, both care of 108 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah, PA 17976.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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