Skook News Obituaries: February 12th, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Pottsville, PA on February 3, 1943, he was the son of the late James John and Mary (Seitzinger) McHale.
A graduate of Nativity B.V.M. High School, Class of 1961. Jim served in the US Army stationed in Germany from 1964 till 1966 and then serving in the Reserves until 1970. He then worked in maintenance first for ALCOA in Cressona for 10 years and then for Rest Haven Nursing Home in Schuylkill Haven for 20 years.
Jim was a member of the former St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church in Port Carbon, the Middleport American Legion, Post 144, the Lone Pine Sportsman Club, Middleport, the Moss Glenn Sportsman Club, Brockton, Schuylkill County Retirees Association, and the Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited, Pottsville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother James McHale
Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Phyllis Ann (Stepanski) McHale, Port Carbon; a son Brian James McHale, Catawissa; a grandson Aidyn James McHale, Catawissa; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held private.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home, Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements.
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Betty was born in West Brunswick Twp., on April 7, 1927, a daughter of the late Hilda M. (Trout) and Harry C. Dreher. She was the widow of Jay W. Boyer. Her first husband Clifford Deibert died in 1963. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg, Friedens Lutheran Church New Ringgold, and she attended Red Dale School.
In addition to being a homemaker Betty was employed as a Machine Operator and worked in many local garment factories. She retired in 1989.
Elizabeth is survived by her son, Dr. David Deibert, husband of Betsy, Fleetwood and stepdaughter, Susan Wertz, wife of Gene, New Ringgold. She is also survived by grandchildren Dr. Richard Eckert, New Ringgold, Ryan Eckert, New Ringgold, Amanda Deibert, Bangladesh, Aimee Deibert (Mallou), Texas, Katrina Haas, Schuylkill Haven and Joel Haas, Cressona. Great Grandchildren Meadow Eckert, Peyton Eckert, Lasso Bakwan, Kaylee Eckroth, Ravin, Charlie, Sarah, Christofer, and Sapphire Haas, and many loving Nieces and Nephews.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Joanne (Tooter) M. Eckert, wife of David, and her sisters Marion Dreher, Hilda Kutz, Shirley Faust Caccese, Mildred Frantz and Pauline Bartholomew.
There will be an evening visitation on Sunday February 18th from 5PM to 7PM followed by a Religious Service at 7PM at Hamilton - Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg. Interment will be at 11AM Monday February 19th in Friedens Lutheran Cemetery New Ringgold, PA
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friedens Lutheran Church Memorial Fund New Ringgold, PA 17960.
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In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friedens Lutheran Church Memorial Fund New Ringgold, PA 17960.
Born in Shenandoah she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Helen (Chojnacki) Jensolowsky. She was a 1947 graduate of Shenandoah High School and was a member of BPOE 685 Ladies Auxiliary and the former Holy Ghost PNCC in Shenandoah. She worked as a home maker.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clyde L. Schaeffer, her son Clyde E. Schaeffer and siblings Sallamae, Zigmund, Phyllis, Adolf and her twin sister Florence. She is survived by her sons John Schaeffer and his companion Lynnette Kurtz of Bethlehem, Gary Schaeffer and his wife Ann of New Tripoli and Lee Schaeffer and his wife Suzanne of Hazleton, grandchildren Shannon, Melissa, Jarrod, Ashlee, Eric, Colin, Kyle and Garry Schaeffer, a great granddaughter Kaitlyn Miersky 2 great granddaughters as well as nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral on Saturday morning at 11 AM from David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City. The Rev. Suzanne Schaeffer will officiate.
Interment will follow in the German Protestant Cemetery in Mahanoy Township. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday beginning at 10 AM. Contributions in her name to the Citizens Fire Company, 212 W. Center St., Mahanoy City, PA 17948 would be appreciated.
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Reverend John J. L. Little, 84, retired priest of the Diocese of Allentown, died on Saturday, February 10, 2024.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Father Little was the son of the late John Little and the late Tea (Healman) Little. The last member of his family, he was preceded in death by his sister, Lois Beavers. Father Little was a U.S. Air Force veteran, and worked for Ozark Airlines before entering priestly life.
Father Little attended Little Flower Elementary School, Hollywood, Florida. He graduated from Saint Leo College, Florida. He continued his priestly studies at Pontificio College Beda, Rome, Italy from 1978 to 1984. He was ordained to the Priesthood on June 4, 1988 by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Welsh, at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
Father Little’s first assignment was Parochial Vicar, Saint Anthony Parish, Easton; followed by Parochial Vicar, Saint John the Baptist de la Salle, Shillington, Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart, West Reading, Parochial Vicar, Our Lady of Hungary, Northampton and Parochial Vicar, Saint Patrick, Pottsville.
During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Little served as Chaplain, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court #358, Chaplain, Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem and Chaplain, Reading Hospital, Reading.
Visitation will be held at Saint Patrick Church, 319 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, on Thursday, February 15, from 9:00am to 11:00am. Mass of Christian Burial for Father Little will be celebrated at 11:00 AM by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L. who will also serve as the homilist. Major Concelebrants will be Monsignor David L. James, Vicar General, Very Reverend Eugene P. Ritz, Vicar for Clergy, and Reverend Philip F. Rodgers, Pastor, Saint Patrick Church, Pottsville. Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville. Dutcavich Funeral Home, Minersville, has charge.
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Judith “Judy” A. Botek, 64, of Minersville, passed away on Friday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Schuylkill -- East.
Born in Pottsville, she was a daughter of Barbara (nee McGovern) Cavanaugh, Minersville, and the late John F. Cavanaugh. She was a 1979 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, and worked for a time at Williamson, Friedberg & Jones. She also enjoyed a varied career in food service, at the former Hen House Restaurant, Good Shepherd School and Pottsville School District, and, most recently, in home health care, having worked at Providence Place and Green Valley Nursing Center.
She was a member of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church, Minersville.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her infant brother, Michael Cavanaugh; her niece, Martina Barnhart; her great niece, Avery Lynn Kralick; her maternal grandparents, William McGovern and Ethel (nee Hedges) McGovern.
Along with her mother, Judy is survived by her husband of 38 years, Raymond R. Botek; seven remaining siblings, John Cavanaugh, Pottsville, Ronald Cavanaugh, Branchdale, Robert Cavanaugh, Branchdale, Jane Barnhart (spouse, Frank), Minersville, Debra Bertasavage (spouse, Jon), Tremont, Lisa Gaumer, Minersville, and Kevin Cavanaugh (spouse, Nancy), Boston; numerous nieces and nephews.
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 St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery, Branch Township. The family prefers donations to the American Cancer Society or to the donor’s preferred SPCA organization.
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Born in Pottsville, July 17, 1947 a daughter of the late Harvey and Merle Bender Schoffstall. Christine was a 1965 graduate of Porter Tower High School. She attended Kutztown University, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education.
She spent her entire teaching career as a 4th grade elementary teacher at Williams Valley School District. Christine retired in 2004 after 35 years with the district.
She was a faithful life-member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tower City, where she served on many committees over the years. She was a member and past matron of the Glen Chapter of Eastern Star, Lykens.
Christine had a passion for traveling. Whether she was going on trips with Elizabethville Seniors Citizens, visiting New York City, or even going abroad where she visited 11 countries, she could always be found out and about. She was a season ticket holder of the Hershey Theater and enjoyed going out to see the plays. Christine also volunteered at the Tower City Library and the former Kepler Home. She enjoyed baking and was an avid reader. Her dog Winston was her faithful companion who she was never seen without.
Christine is survived by Joanna Torello, whom was her best friend and had considered her as a sister. She is also survived by numerous friends and her support team, including Brenda Shuey, Donna Shutt, Jess Murray, Bill and Amy Lake, and her beloved church family at St. Paul's.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 11:00 am from her church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tower City. Viewing will be from 10-10:45. An Eastern Star service will be conducted at 10:45. She will be laid to rest in St. Peter's Cemetery, Orwin.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Christine's memory can be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 415 E Grand Ave, Tower City, PA 17980.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. is honored to serve Christine's loved ones.
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Elias A. Beretsky, 84 formerly of Forestville, passed away Saturday February 10, 2024 at Providence Place Retirement Community, Pottsville.
Born in Forestville, December 10, 1939, he was a son of the late Frank Beretsky, Kathryn (Samilo) Beretsky Warischalk and Peter Warischalk.
He attended St. Nicholas Parochial School and was a graduate of Cass Twp. High School where he played 3 years of Varsity Basketball. He served in the US Army as a company clerk for the 36th Evacuation Hospital (SMBL) stationed at Ft. George G. Meade, MD.
Elias went on to work construction and in local coal mines for a short time, for PA Dept of Revenue, PA Department of Labor & Industry before retiring after 23 years as an auditor for the PA Turnpike Commission.
He was a member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church; Lifelong member and Ex-officer of the Forestville Fire Co; Minersville American Legion Post 544; Pottsville Catholic War Vets Post 1051.
Surviving are a brother John “Jack” Warischalk and his wife Diane of Minersville; Niece Melissa Sternick and her husband Chris of Primrose; Great niece Mykaihla Sternick.
Divine Liturgy will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday February 14, 2024 from St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 415 N. Front St. Minersvillle, PA 17954; Friend may call from 10:00-11:00 at the church; In lieu of flowers contribution can be made to St. Nicholas Memorial Fund at the above address. Burial with military honors will be held at St. Nicholas Cemetery, Llewellyn. The Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, Minersville, is in charge of arrangements. 
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