Skook News Obituaries: January 8th, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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William R. Knauf, 86, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Friday, January 5th, at home surrounded by family.Born in Shamokin on November 13, 1937, he was a son of the late Thomas & Maude (Derricott) Knauf.
In 1960, he married Linda K. (Manbeck) Knauf.
William was a graduate of Cressona High School, Class of 1956; as well as Ford School of Business.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserves, in the 356 Engineers.
For 24 years, William worked as a sheet metal worker for the Local 19.
He served as the President of the Schuylkill IU 29 Board, was the former
Director of the Schuylkill Haven School Board, and was a Mason with Schuylkill Lodge #138 for over 50 years.
In addition to his wife, William is also survived by a son, Jeffrey A. Knauf, four daughters: Donna, wife of Geoffrey Sausser, Audra, wife of Michael Grabowski, Melinda Koch, & Melissa, wife of Bob Sheipe and grandchildren: Rebecca, William, Kaitlyn, Alec, Emily, Abigail, Erika, Jacob, Noah, & Savannah.
William loved to treat his grandchildren to breakfast at Robin's Diner. He also enjoyed tending to his garden.
In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by two brothers: John, & Gerald Knauf.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven on Friday with his granddaughter, Rev. Becky Sausser officiating at 10:30 AM. A viewing will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Manbeck's Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.
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Thomas L. Kelly, formerly of Pottsville, passed away on January 5th at home. He was 93 years old.Thomas was the son of the late Michael and Julia (Duffy) Kelly. He was born in Norwegian Twp, PA and was passionate about his self-employed sales career.
He was preceded in death by his siblings Michael, Rita, Martin, Edward, and James and his partner Miriam Miller.
He is survived by several nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 10, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. At the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville with a Christian Burial service following at noon. Interment will be at the St. Vincent de Paul #2 Cemetery.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
Duane P. Hepler, 70, of Cressona, passed away Saturday, January 6th, at home.
Born in Pottsville, PA on November 21, 1953, he was a son of Kathleen (Riggs) Reiley, of Pottsville and the late Sterling "Skeet" Hepler.
He was the husband of Nancy J. (Sirko) Hepler.
Duane was a 1971 graduate of Blue Mountain High School.
He was the owner/operator of Scott Millwork, Cressona from 1985-2021.
Duane was a member of St. Mark's United Church of Christ, Cressona. He also belonged to Summit Station Fire Company, and Goodwill Hose Company. He was an active member of the Schuylkill Builders Association. An avid hunter, he was a member of the Cressona Rod & Gun Club, Goodwill Rod & Gun Club, and Pine Grove Fish & Game. He was a member of Cressona Lodge #222 F&AM. Duane also loved to golf.
In addition to his wife and mother, Duane is also survived by a daughter, Melissa Hepler, of Dundalk, MD; a son, Jason, husband of Crystal Hepler, of Mechanicsburg; grandsons: Caleb Braden Hepler, & Caden James Hepler, and a sister, Loren, wife of Bill Reichert, of Cressona.
In addition to his father, he is also preceded in death by his step-mother, Joanne Hepler, and his step-father, Bob Reiley.
A viewing will be held Friday, January 12th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven, from 1-2:15 PM. A Masonic Service will be conducted at 2:15 PM. Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 2:30 PM with Rev. Kevin Fruchtl officiating.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to St. Mark's UCC, 30 W. Pottsville St., Cressona PA 17929, or Masonic Charities, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.
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Born in Pottsville, PA on November 21, 1953, he was a son of Kathleen (Riggs) Reiley, of Pottsville and the late Sterling "Skeet" Hepler.
He was the husband of Nancy J. (Sirko) Hepler.
Duane was a 1971 graduate of Blue Mountain High School.
He was the owner/operator of Scott Millwork, Cressona from 1985-2021.
Duane was a member of St. Mark's United Church of Christ, Cressona. He also belonged to Summit Station Fire Company, and Goodwill Hose Company. He was an active member of the Schuylkill Builders Association. An avid hunter, he was a member of the Cressona Rod & Gun Club, Goodwill Rod & Gun Club, and Pine Grove Fish & Game. He was a member of Cressona Lodge #222 F&AM. Duane also loved to golf.
In addition to his wife and mother, Duane is also survived by a daughter, Melissa Hepler, of Dundalk, MD; a son, Jason, husband of Crystal Hepler, of Mechanicsburg; grandsons: Caleb Braden Hepler, & Caden James Hepler, and a sister, Loren, wife of Bill Reichert, of Cressona.
In addition to his father, he is also preceded in death by his step-mother, Joanne Hepler, and his step-father, Bob Reiley.
A viewing will be held Friday, January 12th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven, from 1-2:15 PM. A Masonic Service will be conducted at 2:15 PM. Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 2:30 PM with Rev. Kevin Fruchtl officiating.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to St. Mark's UCC, 30 W. Pottsville St., Cressona PA 17929, or Masonic Charities, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.
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Born on February 25, 1962 in Pottsville, she was a daughter of Loretta Workman Koons of Pine Grove and the late John Koons, Jr.
She was a 1980 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School where she was fourth in her class.
Michelle was a member of the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, Tremont, and had been the choir director.
Surviving, in addition to her mother, are her husband of 42 years on Feb. 6, Steven Kroh; a daughter, Amber Sleva of Newtown; a son, Eric and wife Kerri Kroh of Tremont; two grandchildren, Madison Sleva and Cian Kroh; a sister, Deborah Hoke of Pine Grove; a brother, John III and wife Pamela Koons of Pine Grove; nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law, Lisa and husband Robert Suprock of Newtown; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Shirley Kroh of Pine Grove; and her beloved dogs, Bella and Bo.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. at the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, 113 Cherry St. Tremont, with Father George Kochuparambil officiating. There will be a viewing on Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove. Interment will be in the Most Blessed Trinity Cemetery, Tremont.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, 113 Cherry St., Tremont, Pa. 17981 in her memory.
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Gertrude “Trudy” (Straka) Pitts, 89 of Shenandoah passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, January 6, 2024 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton with her daughter at her side after a short battle with cancer.
Born in Shenandoah on September 10, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Stephen and Elizabeth “Betty” (Oravitz) Straka.
She was a 1952 graduate of the former Shenandoah Catholic High School.
Trudy worked at the Pentagon in Washington D.C upon her high school graduation. She returned home and attended Drexel College where she attained her licensed practical nursing (LPN) degree.
She was employed for Dr. James Hu in Shenandoah and then for Rest Haven Nursing Home, Schuylkill Haven. Prior to her retirement she had worked part-time at Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville.
Trudy was a member of the former Saint Stephen Church, Shenandoah and was currently a member of Divine Mercy Parish. She was one of the founding members of the former St. Stephen’s Ladies Auxiliary where she was actively involved in fund raising and school and parish activities.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were two brothers, Larry and Eugene Straka.
Surviving are her daughter, Elizabeth A. Perrong of Doylestown; step-grandson, Leo C. Perrong of Carlisle; one sister, Genevieve “Jenny” Navitsky and her husband Joseph “ Murph” of Shenandoah Heights; a special niece, Paula Reinoehl and great-niece, Lyndsey Reinoehl both of Shenandoah Heights and who both helped care for her; additional nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and many friends; and her faithful Golden Retriever, “Molly”.
Trudy will be remembered for her many telephone conversations with her family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 10:00 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Saint Stephen’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A visitation for family friends will be held on Friday morning from 8:30 am until 10:00 am at Divine Mercy Church.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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Born in Wiconisco, February 26, 1938, a daughter of the late Benjamin and Irma Welker.
Joyce was a retired seamstress from the local garment industry.
She was a very active member of the former Evangelical Congregational Church, Williamstown, where she served on the church board.
Joyce enjoyed spending time with her family and traveling. She took great pride in the appearance of her home. Joyce will be fondly remembered by her family for always capturing memories with the many pictures she took over the years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Long, 2002; a great grandson, Josiah Viera, 2018; numerous siblings.
Surviving are her daughter, Debra A. Bohner (G. David), Hegins; three grandchildren, Lisa Martin (Paul II), Oklahoma, Jennifer Viera-Pysher (Elizabeth), Hegins, and James Bohner (Shelly), Harrisburg; six great grandchildren, Kirstin and Caleb Martin, Daisha Viera, Christian and Wyatt Bohner, and Cassandra Soi; one brother, Raymond Welker (Goldie), Wiconisco; numerous nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held from 10-11 AM, Monday, January 15, 2024 from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home Inc., Tower City. Graveside services will follow at 11:30 AM from the Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco.
Memorial donations in Joyce's name can be made to the Faith Evangelical Congregational Church, 543 Center Street, Wiconisco, PA 17097.
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