Skook News Obituaries: January 31st, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Roy was bornin in Pottsville on November 13, 1961, a son of the late Leroy and Janet (Shappell) Kocher, Jr. He was a graduate of the Pottsville high school, and was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was last employed by Silgan in West Hazleton.
Roy was an avid Penn State Football fan, and enjoyed cooking.
He is survived by his son, Kevin Kocher, fiancée of Kim, of Oneida. He is also survived by his siblings, Joseph and his wife Michele of Eagle Rock; Joy, wife of James Henninger of Pottsville; Keith and his wife Kathleen of Orwigsburg and Hope Bubeck with Carl of Schuylkill Haven.
Five grandchildren survive, Jaxon, Alex, Samuel, Benjamin and Lorelei survive, as does his daughter at heart, Kailey Kocher, along with nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held by Roy’s family in the near future.
The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville, is honored to serve Roy’s family during this time of need.
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He graduated from Cass Township High School in 1961 and served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1961-1965 stationed at K.I Sawyer Air Force Base, MI. Upon military separation, Bernie began his professional career with Bell Atlantic of PA where he started at an entry level position and worked his way up to Technician Supervisor, Manager, and then corporate level Director of Technology at Verizon wireless and even provided his technical expertise in Russia and Italy.
Bernie directed the conversion from analog to digital phone systems in Northeast and Central PA at Bell Atlantic. During his tenure at Verizon Wireless, he orchestrated the capability to receive voicemail notifications from a LAN line to a cellular phone and subsequently awarded a US patent for his intellectual contributions to wireless telecommunications.
Bernie was a multi-faceted talent; and everyone that knew Bernie raved about his distinct musical gifts and his humility. Bernie was a versatile musician; he was a self-taught accordionist and pianist since the age of seven, and later played the piano in the Polka band The King Brothers and was recorded on their albums. He also played with the country band Whisky River and classic rock band Gamut.
More than anything in this world, Bernie loved spending time with his family. Bernie’s favorite moments in life were spent having family get-togethers, traveling to over sixty-five countries with his wife, Phyllis, and watching the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies with his two sons, Mark, and Matt.
To Mark and Matt, Bernie’s greatest accomplishment was being their lifelong hero, someone who gave the best advice, and who always provided his unwavering love and support throughout their lives. Bernie will be greatly missed by his entire family.
In addition, to his wife, Phyllis, Bernie is survived by his two sons, Mark A. Brilla and his companion, Rachael Thomas of Hummelstown, PA; Matthew P. Brilla and his wife Erika of Lake Wynonah, PA; a niece, Sharon Smith of Mar Lin; a nephew, Steven Brilla of Pottsville.
He is also survived by his granddaughter, Evey Rae Brilla, and his four grandsons Devan Stortz, Chase, Bryce, and Stone Brilla, and many cousins with whom he remained very close.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bertha (Minder) and Anthony Brilla, Sr., brother, Anthony Brilla, Jr. and an infant grandson, Maxim Anthony Brilla.
A Religious Service will be held at 11:00 on Friday, February 2nd at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Orwigsburg, with Reverend Jeff Johnson officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s UCC, 236 East Market St. Orwigsburg, PA 17961. Interment will be private at the convenience of the Family. Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. is honored to be serving the family.
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Joseph W. Chesney, 75, of Frackville passed away Friday evening at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born in Danville he was raised in Mt. Carmel and was a son of the late Walter S and Mildred Chesney.
He was a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School and attended the University of Indiana.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, having last served with the HHD 75th Spt Bn 1st infantry Bde, 5th infantry division, APO 96477.
Joseph retired as Superintendent of the Retreat State Correctional Institute, Hunlock Creek; and previously served as Deputy Superintendent of Frackville SCI.
He was a member and past Exhalted Ruler of the B.P.O. Elks Frackville Lodge 1533; a member of the American Legion Post #398, Frackville and a member of the PA State Employee Retirees. He enjoyed playing golf and being part of the in-house dart teams at the Frackville Elks.
Joseph is survived by his wife Bonita E. Wolfgang Chesney to whom he was married 50 years; two sisters; Ann Marie Milewski, Levittown and Felicia Tehansky (Michael) Reading; nephews; Mark, Michael and Matthew Tehansky; nieces; Tina and Theresa Tehansky; brother-in laws; Brian (Anita) Wolfgang and Bruce Wolfgang and his Bernese Mountain dog Chloe.
Religious Services will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m.at the Albert L. Gricoski Funeral Home, Frackville with Rev. Giuseppe Esposito, as celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will be at a later date in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
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John E. Witcofsky, 51 years of age, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday January 31, 2024.
Born in Pottsville the son of the late John Francis, and Emily Louise (Spiess) Witcofsky.
Survived by; his wife, Kristen L. Hope; son Justin Witcofsky; sister, Maryann Witcofsky Downey.
Private arrangements entrusted to Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960 (%70) 386-5884
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Born Saturday, November 28, 1942 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late Anthony and Sophie (Navistsky) Dunn. Sandra was also predeceased by her grandson, Joseph Zaprazny; brothers, Paul, and Tony "Chappy" Dunn.
Surviving are; husband, Francis J. McGlinchey; son, Francis M. "Rusty" McGlinchey and his wife Angelique all of Tamaqua; grandchildren, Khayla Wagner and her husband Matt, John Zaprazny and his fiancée Cait Schaffer; great grandchildren, Beau Wagner, and Natalie Wagner.
A graduate of Marian Catholic High School, Sandra was a member of St. John XXIII R.C.C. of Tamaqua. Sandra worked as an outside contractor at Air Products & Chemicals in Hometown. She enjoyed playing cards, walking the downtown, and socializing with friends, and family.
Private services entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550.
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Theresa L. Peterson, 66, of Tremont, passed away early Tuesday morning, January 30, 2024.
She was born in Harrisburg, July 24, 1957, a daughter of the late Dominic and Mary Ellen Longo.
Theresa was the wife of the late Allen Ewing.
She is survived by three children, several grandchildren, and siblings.
Following Theresa's wishes she will be laid to rest privately in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Hazleton, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Mary (McCann) Patton.
Clare was a dedicated and longtime member of the former St. Patrick’s R.C. Church, McAdoo and later a member of Holy Rosary R.C. Church, Hazleton.
She was last employed in the Medical Records Dept. of the former Hazleton General Hospital.
Clare was an avid reader and loved to fill her days immersed in a new book.
She most enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her beloved grandchildren.
Clare was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend and will be sadly missed by all.
Preceding her in death, was her husband John A. “Jack” Ritz, Jr., and son John A. Ritz, III.
Surviving are daughter, Amy Frankenfield and husband Tim, of Whitehall; son, Very Rev. Eugene P. Ritz, of Orefield; granddaughter, Kieran Frankenfield and fiancé Luke Brunst; grandson Ian Frankenfield; sister, Maryteresa Mears and husband Daniel, of Tresckow; and niece Danielle Hess.
Her funeral will be held Saturday, Feb. 3, beginning at 10:30 a.m., at the Damiano Funeral Home Inc., McAdoo. The Very Rev. Eugene P. Ritz will celebrate The Mass of Christian Burial in Church of All Saints, McAdoo, at 11 a.m. A private interment will follow in St. Patrick’s R.C. Cemetery, McAdoo.
A calling hour will be held Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home.
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