Skook News Obituaries: February 7th, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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James M. Cunningham, Sr., 72, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2024, at his home in Pottsville.Born on October 4, 1951, he was the son of the late James and Anna (Molishus) Cunningham.
After graduating high school, James received a bachelor’s degree from King’s College. Continuing his education, James earned a master’s degree from Kutztown University. He was a Pottsville police officer from 1974-1981. After leaving the police, he worked for PPL in Berwick from 1981-1991. James later became a Juvenile Probation Officer for Schuylkill County before retiring.
James was known for being a very skilled shooter and has won many awards in competitive shooting. In his free time, James loved to spend time with family, especially his grandson, Aiden, and was an avid fan of the Eagles and Phillies.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Lorrie Cunningham, who passed December 6, 2019 and his son, James M. Cunningham, Jr., who passed February 5, 2024.
Surviving is his loving wife, Katherine Cunningham; son, Michael Cunningham; and grandson. Aiden.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of James and James, Jr. will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Johns the Baptist Church, 913 Mahantongo St, Pottsville, with Father Kevin J. Bobbin officiating.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects from 10:00 -11:00 A.M. at the church.
A private interment will be held for the family in Queen of the Universe Cemetery, Pottsville. Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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James M. “Red” Cunningham, Jr., 42, of Pottsville, passed away on February 5, 2024, at his home.
Born in Pottsville on September 2, 1981, he was a son of Katherine (Tray) Cunningham, Sr., Pottsville. He was a 1999 Nativity BVM Graduate and attended Penn Technology College.
Red worked as a forklift operator for Lowe’s Distribution and attended Pennsylvania College of Technology for masonry. Red also studied Taekwondo, which he deeply valued in his early years. He enjoyed doing archery and woodworking but most of all enjoyed hanging with his nephew, Aiden. Red, just like his father, was a massive fan of both the Phillies and the Eagles. Red spent the majority of his final years caring for his father while he was fighting his illness.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Lorrie Cunningham, who passed December 6, 2019, and his father, James M. Cunningham, who passed several hours after his son, following a lengthy illness.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his brother, Michael Cunningham, his pride and joy, his nephew, Aiden, Aunt, Christine Tray, Uncle, Gene Tray & Bill Mower, cousin, Gene Tray, Jr., and his two dogs, Cole and Millie.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of James and James, Jr. will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Johns the Baptist Church, 913 Mahantongo St, Pottsville, with Father Kevin J. Bobbin officiating.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects from 10:00-11:00 A.M. at the church.
A private interment will be held for the family in Queen of the Universe Cemetery, Pottsville. Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Michael Harahus, 92 years of age, of Chain Circle New Ringgold, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully on Monday, February 5, 2024, at home while in the loving care of his family, and beloved wife of 67 years, Julia (Hudy) Harahus.
Born Wednesday, October 7, 1931 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Neftody, and Mary (Comisac) Harahus. Michael was also predeceased by; daughter, Elaine (Harahus) Rottet; sisters, Eva Barniak, Helen Miller, Pauline Lemkevich, Mary Zajack, Anna Soley; brothers, Peter, John, and Stephen Harahus.
Surviving in addition to his wife Julia are; daughters, Julie McHugh wife of Rick, Mary Arnold wife of Rusty, Helen Hafer wife of Joe; sons, Michael Harahus and his wife Patti, Peter Harahus and his fiancée Katona Loncar; son-in-law, Gregory Rottet, sister, Irene Rice; 11 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; . Numerous nieces and nephews also survive Michael.
A 1949 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Michael served honorably in the United States Army. Michael retired from Bethlehem Steel as a Lathe Operator after 30 plus years. Michael farmed his generational farm in New Ringgold his entire life. His time spent farming was a labor of love, never considered work. Michael was also a hunter.
Michael was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Orthodox Church of Coaldale, Pennsylvania.
Funeral Arrangements have been 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 Saturday February 10, 2024 beginning at 11 o'clock A.M. at St. Mary's Orthodox Church located at 217 1st Street Coaldale, Pennsylvania 18218.
A viewing will be held on the morning of services in church from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services.
Interment with Military Honors bestowed will be in St. Mary's Orthodox Cemetery Summit Hill, Pennsylvania.
Memorial Contributions in Michael’s name to:
St. Mary's Orthodox Church
Anthony F. Merlino Sr., 97, of West West Terrace, passed away Tuesday, February 6th, at his home Anthony was born in Palo Alto, Pa. on August 4, 1926, a son of the late Philomena (Giordanno) Merlino and Angelo Merlino.
Edward “Eddie” O’Donnell, 40, of Ashland passed away Tuesday evening February 6, 2024 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill East.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Douglas T. Koons, 79, of Hummelstown passed away suddenly, Tuesday morning, February 6, 2024 at Providence Place Senior Living, Pine Grove.
Born in Hershey, September 28, 1944, a son of the late Lloyd and Lillian Beachel Koons. Doug was a United States Army Veteran, serving during the Vietnam Era.
Doug was a graduate of Central Dauphin High School and Penn State University, where he received his Bachelor's and Master's degree in Education.
He began his teaching career at Dauphin County Vo-Tech, teaching drafting and blueprint reading. Doug retired from Cumberland Perry Vo-Tech, where he served as the vocational education supervisor.
He was a leader with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 39, Harrisburg. He was also involved with the Soap Box Derby, Harrisburg, where he served as president.
Doug's passion in life was golfing, golfing, and golfing. Following retirement, he could be found every Thursday on the greens. He accomplished every golfer's dream on August 9, 2001, when he hit a hole-in-one.
He was an avid Penn State football fan. Doug was extremely proud of his grandsons. Watching them play football and soccer brought him immense pride.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma L. Georganakis Koons, 2018; two brothers, Terry and Alexander Koons.
Surviving are his son, Jonathan Koons and his wife Terri, Tower City; four grandsons, Hunter, Owen, Wyatt, and Jesse Koons, all of Tower City; one great granddaughter, Adalynn Koons; two sisters, Patricia Loser and her husband Thomas, Petersburg, and Deanna Hinkley, Athens, Georgia; three sister-in-laws, Donna Koons, Arizona, Sherry Koons, Hummelstown, Loretta Ivanoff, Camp Hill; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, February 13, 2024 from the Hoover Funeral Home, 88 Lucy Avenue, Hershey. Viewing will be from 10-11 am. Doug will be laid to rest with military honors in the Hershey Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, 2000 Lingelstown Road, Suite 201, Harrisburg, 17110 in memory of his late wife.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Tower City, is honored to serve the Koons family.
Red worked as a forklift operator for Lowe’s Distribution and attended Pennsylvania College of Technology for masonry. Red also studied Taekwondo, which he deeply valued in his early years. He enjoyed doing archery and woodworking but most of all enjoyed hanging with his nephew, Aiden. Red, just like his father, was a massive fan of both the Phillies and the Eagles. Red spent the majority of his final years caring for his father while he was fighting his illness.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Lorrie Cunningham, who passed December 6, 2019, and his father, James M. Cunningham, who passed several hours after his son, following a lengthy illness.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his brother, Michael Cunningham, his pride and joy, his nephew, Aiden, Aunt, Christine Tray, Uncle, Gene Tray & Bill Mower, cousin, Gene Tray, Jr., and his two dogs, Cole and Millie.
A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of James and James, Jr. will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Johns the Baptist Church, 913 Mahantongo St, Pottsville, with Father Kevin J. Bobbin officiating.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects from 10:00-11:00 A.M. at the church.
A private interment will be held for the family in Queen of the Universe Cemetery, Pottsville. Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born Wednesday, October 7, 1931 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Neftody, and Mary (Comisac) Harahus. Michael was also predeceased by; daughter, Elaine (Harahus) Rottet; sisters, Eva Barniak, Helen Miller, Pauline Lemkevich, Mary Zajack, Anna Soley; brothers, Peter, John, and Stephen Harahus.
Surviving in addition to his wife Julia are; daughters, Julie McHugh wife of Rick, Mary Arnold wife of Rusty, Helen Hafer wife of Joe; sons, Michael Harahus and his wife Patti, Peter Harahus and his fiancée Katona Loncar; son-in-law, Gregory Rottet, sister, Irene Rice; 11 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; . Numerous nieces and nephews also survive Michael.
A 1949 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Michael served honorably in the United States Army. Michael retired from Bethlehem Steel as a Lathe Operator after 30 plus years. Michael farmed his generational farm in New Ringgold his entire life. His time spent farming was a labor of love, never considered work. Michael was also a hunter.
Michael was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Orthodox Church of Coaldale, Pennsylvania.
Funeral Arrangements have been 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 Saturday February 10, 2024 beginning at 11 o'clock A.M. at St. Mary's Orthodox Church located at 217 1st Street Coaldale, Pennsylvania 18218.
A viewing will be held on the morning of services in church from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services.
Interment with Military Honors bestowed will be in St. Mary's Orthodox Cemetery Summit Hill, Pennsylvania.
Memorial Contributions in Michael’s name to:
St. Mary's Orthodox Church
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Anthony F. Merlino Sr., 97, of West West Terrace, passed away Tuesday, February 6th, at his home Anthony was born in Palo Alto, Pa. on August 4, 1926, a son of the late Philomena (Giordanno) Merlino and Angelo Merlino.
He was the husband of Annette Q. (Quinn) Merlino. He was a member of Most Blessed Trinity Church of Tremont . Anthony served in the U.S. Army in WW II. He was a former Supervisor with Pennsylvania Power and Light.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Sisters; Angeline Angelisanti, and infant sister Grace Merlino, as well as a Brother, Mario Merlino.
Anthony is survived by his wife, Annette, a daughter, Bonnie Eckert, and a son, Anthony F. Merlino Jr. Also surviving are grandchildren, and nieces and nephews whom loved him dearly. At the request of the family all services are private.
Interment at Saint Barbara Cemetery. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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Edward “Eddie” O’Donnell, 40, of Ashland passed away Tuesday evening February 6, 2024 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill East.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born in Hershey, September 28, 1944, a son of the late Lloyd and Lillian Beachel Koons. Doug was a United States Army Veteran, serving during the Vietnam Era.
Doug was a graduate of Central Dauphin High School and Penn State University, where he received his Bachelor's and Master's degree in Education.
He began his teaching career at Dauphin County Vo-Tech, teaching drafting and blueprint reading. Doug retired from Cumberland Perry Vo-Tech, where he served as the vocational education supervisor.
He was a leader with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 39, Harrisburg. He was also involved with the Soap Box Derby, Harrisburg, where he served as president.
Doug's passion in life was golfing, golfing, and golfing. Following retirement, he could be found every Thursday on the greens. He accomplished every golfer's dream on August 9, 2001, when he hit a hole-in-one.
He was an avid Penn State football fan. Doug was extremely proud of his grandsons. Watching them play football and soccer brought him immense pride.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Norma L. Georganakis Koons, 2018; two brothers, Terry and Alexander Koons.
Surviving are his son, Jonathan Koons and his wife Terri, Tower City; four grandsons, Hunter, Owen, Wyatt, and Jesse Koons, all of Tower City; one great granddaughter, Adalynn Koons; two sisters, Patricia Loser and her husband Thomas, Petersburg, and Deanna Hinkley, Athens, Georgia; three sister-in-laws, Donna Koons, Arizona, Sherry Koons, Hummelstown, Loretta Ivanoff, Camp Hill; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, February 13, 2024 from the Hoover Funeral Home, 88 Lucy Avenue, Hershey. Viewing will be from 10-11 am. Doug will be laid to rest with military honors in the Hershey Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, 2000 Lingelstown Road, Suite 201, Harrisburg, 17110 in memory of his late wife.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Tower City, is honored to serve the Koons family.
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