Skook News Obituaries: January 15th, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Millersville, he was a son of the late Patrick J. and Myrtle Jones Kleman. Pat was the manager of the former Hawranick Lumber Co., Frackville.
Pat graduated from the former Butler Township High School in 1948, where he excelled in basketball. He had a great passion for sports and helped in coaching his sons’ teams. He later became a PIAA referee.
Pat was a United States Air Force Veteran; a member of the First United Methodist Church, Frackville; the American Legion Post 398, Frackville; the Frackville Elks BPOE 1533; past worshipful master of the former Frackville Masonic Lodge #737 and currently was a member of the Pulaski Masonic Lodge #216 F & AM, Pottsville.
Pat enjoyed wood working and carpentry.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Brian Kleman and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Kleman.
Pat is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Vera M. (Hawranick) Kleman; his son, Gary Kleman; his grandchildren: Ryan, Brad, Mitchell Kleman and Abigail Bettinger; his 6 great-grandchildren along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 18th at the First United Methodist Church, Frackville with Rev. David Davis, pastor, officiating. Friends are invited to his viewing at the church on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Thursday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Interment with military honors will be held at Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made, in Patrick’s name, to the First United Methodist Church at 25 S. Balliet Street Frackville, PA 17931 or to Holy Ascension Orthodox Church at 209 S. Lehigh Avenue, Frackville, PA 17931.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Rita Meadows, 90, of Seltzer passed away Wednesday January 10, 2024 at LVHN-Schuylkill surrounded by her family.
Born in Pottsville March 14, 1933 she was a daughter of the late Charles and Helen (Steffanic) Juba.
Rita was a 1951 graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School. She was a member of St. Michael the Archangel-Holy Family Parish, Minersville where she belonged to the Ladies Guild, Mary Queen of Peace Ladies Guild, St. Vincent Society and a life member of the Pottsville PTA.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Donald R. Meadows, son Kevin Meadows, brothers Charles and John Juba, special brother in law Tom Curvey and special sister in law Jean Juba.
Surviving are son Kenneth Meadows and his wife Beth of Harrisburg, Daughter Karen Dittmar and her husband Robert of Seltzer, 7 grandchildren Donnie, Misty and Nevan Meadows, Delaney Mattos and her husband Joseph, Matthew Dittmar, Jeffery Dittmar and his wife Kacie, Kaitlyn Dittmar-Price and her husband John, 6 great grand children Caleb and Wyatt Dittmar, Elouise and Theodor Price, Madison, Kevin and Lillie Leatherwood.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from St. Michael the Archangel-Holy Family Parish, 538 Sunbury St, Minersville, PA 17954. The Rev. Msrg. William Glosser will be officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 - 11:00 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be maid to Holy Family Community Outreach, C/O Sister Catherine, 538 Sunbury Street, Minersville PA 17954 or the St. Clare of Assisi Memorial Fund, 250 E Hancock St, St Clair, PA 17970. Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
Rita was a 1951 graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School. She was a member of St. Michael the Archangel-Holy Family Parish, Minersville where she belonged to the Ladies Guild, Mary Queen of Peace Ladies Guild, St. Vincent Society and a life member of the Pottsville PTA.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Donald R. Meadows, son Kevin Meadows, brothers Charles and John Juba, special brother in law Tom Curvey and special sister in law Jean Juba.
Surviving are son Kenneth Meadows and his wife Beth of Harrisburg, Daughter Karen Dittmar and her husband Robert of Seltzer, 7 grandchildren Donnie, Misty and Nevan Meadows, Delaney Mattos and her husband Joseph, Matthew Dittmar, Jeffery Dittmar and his wife Kacie, Kaitlyn Dittmar-Price and her husband John, 6 great grand children Caleb and Wyatt Dittmar, Elouise and Theodor Price, Madison, Kevin and Lillie Leatherwood.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from St. Michael the Archangel-Holy Family Parish, 538 Sunbury St, Minersville, PA 17954. The Rev. Msrg. William Glosser will be officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 - 11:00 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be maid to Holy Family Community Outreach, C/O Sister Catherine, 538 Sunbury Street, Minersville PA 17954 or the St. Clare of Assisi Memorial Fund, 250 E Hancock St, St Clair, PA 17970. Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
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Born in Shenandoah on July 25, 1942, he was the son of the late Roy and Amanda (Applegate) Becker.
Dave worked many years for the Borough of Shenandoah in the sanitation department. He was a member of several local fraternal organizations in the past including the Lith’s Club, the Shenandoah Moose Lodge, and the Eagles Lodge. He also was a great volunteer who gave of his time helping the Shenandoah Recreation Committee with all their projects throughout the years.
Besides his parents, Dave was preceded by a daughter, Doriann Checklin, 3 grandsons (Billyjack Price, Jesseejames Price Sr. and Raymond Iaconelli, along with several brothers and sisters.
Surviving family include his wife of 49 years, Vivian (Heine) Becker, 2 sons- Eric Becker and David Becker, 4 daughters – Michelle Brochyus with her husband Howard, April Halford, Leilani Becker, and Holly Becker, 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, January 19th from 5 to 8pm at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Scripture services will be conducted at 7:30pm in the funeral home and will be officiated by Pastor Mindy Heppe. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
Contributions in Dave’s memory may be made to either: DAV (Disabled American Veterans) - www.dav.org., or the Wounded Warrior Project- www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
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Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late James and Sophia (Budel) Labert.
Jim was a graduate of McAdoo High School, class of 1956, and a member of Church of All Saints, McAdoo.
He was a veteran and served in the U.S. Navy and the Navy Reserves for 17 years. He was a member of the McAdoo V.F.W. Post 6708, serving as Junior Vice Commander and member of the firing squad.
Prior to retiring, Jim was employed at Dupont Co., Delaware, as a structural engineer.
Jim had a passion for steam locomotives and helped in the rebuilding process of several of them. He was an avid artist and won 1st place prizes for his oil paintings at the Hazleton Art League. He loved to try different international wines, planting garlic in his garden, and looked forward to doing daily crossword puzzles.
Preceding him in death, were his son Thomas Labert and brother Joseph Labert.
He is survived by his wife Mary (Billet) Labert and celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on July 4, 2023; children, Michelle Haraida and husband Michael, Delaware; Christine Kurek and husband Terry, Lancaster; James Labert and wife Joan, Quakertown; and Dan Labert and wife Noel, Virginia; grandchildren, Paul Haraida, Brian Haraida and wife Alicia, Alexandra Stewart and husband Shane, Matthew and Mitchell Kurek, and Gwen Labert; and nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held Saturday, January 20. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Msgr. William Baker at 10 a.m. in Church of All Saints, McAdoo. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s R.C. Cemetery, McAdoo.
Calling hours will be held Friday, January 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Damiano Funeral Home, Inc., McAdoo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org
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Born in Reading, PA on November 8, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Dyduds & Mary (Rosal) Korcz.
She was the widow of Edward J. Humma.
In addition to her parents and husband, Florence is also preceded in death by an infant sister, Ann Korcz, twin brother, John Korcz, brother, Stanley Korcz, & sister, Josephine Samanns.
She was formerly employed by Dixon Ticonderoga, and several local knitting mills, retiring from Argo Mills.
Florence was of the Catholic faith.
She is survived by four children: Gail Hurley (David), Kevin Humma (Cheryl), Kim Somers (Roger), & Kenneth Humma, nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, three siblings: Henry Korcz, Frank Korcz, & Anja Zabinsky, and numerous nieces & nephews.
A Catholic Memorial Service will be held at 1 PM on Thursday, January 18th at Ebling-Stabingas Funeral Home, Cressona, with Monsignor Edward Zemanik officiating. A visitation will be held from 12 Noon until the time of service.
Interment at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, will be held in the spring.
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Born in New Philadelphia, PA on July 31, 1947, he was a son of the late Frederick & Helen (Fergel) Stutz.
He was the husband of Ann Maureen (Shewokis) Stutz. The couple would have celebrated 32 years of marriage this April.
He was a member of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, New Philadelphia.
Edward was a graduate of Nativity BVM High School.
He was drafted into the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.
Edward had retired from Allied Services, having worked as a mental health worker.
In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his brother, Frederick Stutz, of Allentown, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his brother, David Stutz.
Private interment will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
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Surviving are; his wife, Nikki Lynn (Bugdanavage) with whom he shared 37 years; daughter, Morgan L. Hadesty; sister, Kim Valianatos wife of Chris of Hellertown; Lew Hadesty and his wife Chris, John Hadesty and his wife Karen both of West Penn Twp.; nieces and nephews, Manny, Dimitri, Steven, Juli, Amanda and Mike; great niece and nephew Nora and Parker all of whom Mick was always proud and supportive.
A Tamaqua Area High School class of 1987 graduate, Mick was always involved in sports. He played football and baseball for Tamaqua and later went on to become an assistant coach with the Tamaqua Blue Raiders for a number of years. An avid Penn State fan he enjoyed going to games with family and friends from a young age. Family was an integral part of Mick's persona. Immensely proud of his daughter, he and Nikki enjoyed being a part of the "Hadesty Clan".
Mick has been employed with the State of Pennsylvania for over 35 years working as Maintenance Supervisor and Grounds Superintendent at the Hamburg Center. A member of Trinity U.C.C. of Tamaqua, Mick was active in the American Hose Fire Co.
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
A Funeral service will be at 10 o'clock A.M. on Saturday January 20, 2024 from the funeral home. Friends may call on Friday January 19, 2024 from 5:00 P.M. till 7:00 P.M.
Interment will be in Sky-View Memorial Park, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to:
American Hose Fire Co. #1
39 Mauch Chunk Street
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252
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Born in Pottsville the son of the late James E. Mellor, and Shirley R. (Zimmerman) Mellor - Stewart. Stan was also predeceased by; step father, Harry Stewart; brother, Kenneth Mellor.
Surviving are; daughter, Shelby Mellor; sons, Stosh J. Mellor, Seth G. Mellor and his fiancée Kayla York; grandchildren, Grace, Gretchen, Stosh, Jr., Seth II, Graelynn, Emma, Aaron, Lucia, Thea; sisters, Sherry Miller wife of Kevin, Kelly Dirzulaitis wife of Mark; brother, William Mellor. Nieces and nephews also survive Stan.
A graduate of Tamaqua High School, Stan served honorably in the United States Navy, and worked for many years at Garden State Tannery, and retired from Bemis Company of Hazleton. He and his son Stosh operated Stosh and Stan's Pool Palace in Tamaqua. An avid sports enthusiast, Stan coached his son's little league teams, and was a youth wrestling coach. He was a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and Minnesota Vikings. A accomplished Pool Shooter, Stan was a member of a number of local Pool Leagues, and shot in many area pool tournaments.
Private Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252, (570) 668-2550
Interment St. John U.C.C. Cemetery Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.
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He was born on November 7, 1924 in Weston Place, Shenandoah, and was raised in Pattersonville. Calvin was a son of the late William G. and Mary E. (Walters) Briggs.
Calvin was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the European Theater of Operations where he participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a decorated veteran. He received the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater of Operations Medal, European Theater of Operations Medal with four Bronze Stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Prior to World War II, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Front Royal, Virginia.
He was a retired welder, having last worked at Reading Anthracite Co. He also did residential electrical work for years and was always ready to help anybody.
Calvin enjoyed life with his family and friends. He enjoyed hunting and could be found almost anywhere where there was fun to be had.
He was an 80-year member of the Ringtown American Legion Post 289; a social member of the Frackville Legion Post 398; a charter member of the Ringtown Valley Sporting Club; and a member of the Shenandoah Fish and Game Club. He was of the Protestant faith.
In addition to his parents, Calvin was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Blanche Irene Irvin, and an infant daughter, JoAnn; five brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by his daughter, Janet Harter of Ashland; three sons, Robert (Carol) of Sheppton, Calvin Jr. of Shenandoah, and David of Pattersonville; seven grandchildren, Shaun Briggs, Hilary Peddigree, Ryan Briggs, Edward Harter Jr., Kyle Briggs, Caitlin Briggs and Jordan Briggs; five great-grandchildren, Emmerina Briggs, Keean Briggs, Liam Peddigree, Harlie Briggs and Evie Peddigree; a sister, Elizabeth Widitz of Pattersonville; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 11:00 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah. Rev. Julian Milewski will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown. A viewing will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6:00 pm until 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday morning from 9:00 am until 11:00 am.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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Diane L. Meyers Decker, 59, of New Ringgold, formerly of Spring Hill, FL, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024, in St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Thomas E. Decker.
Prior to retiring, she was employed at various school districts as a maintenance supervisor.
Born in Elmira, NY, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Jane (Finney) Somers. She was a member of Immanuel E.C. Church, Drehersville. Diane enjoyed puzzles, nature, the outdoors, and loved life. She had a big heart and was very fond of dogs.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Randy.
Surviving in addition to her husband, Thomas, are two daughters, April Musco, and her fiancé, Matthew Mantione, of Webster, NY, and Jennifer Meyers; brother, Raymond, and his wife, Mary, of Bentley Creek; sister, Cathy, wife of Jeffrey Stamets, of New Ringgold; three grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service will be announced at a later date with Rev. Dr. Ken Schira officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your local SPCA. Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold.
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