Skook News Obituaries: March 10th, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born December 16,1946 in Pottsville, he was the son of the late Harry and Emily (Reinhart) Hain and attended Tamaqua Area High School. Robert was married to Dorothy (Morgan) Hain until her passing in 2006. A carpenter who worked in construction with the Lehigh Valley Marble and Tile, he enjoyed hunting and was a master carpenter who loved to work in his workshop.
Robert is survived by his longtime companion Marge “Midge” Derr of Tamaqua; his daughters Natalie Hain-Sanko of East Greenville, PA, and Rachel Hain of Trappe, PA; his grandchildren, Amanda Crochunis and her husband Alex of New Ringgold and Joshua Sanko of Rehrersburg, PA; two great grandchildren, Gregory Crochunis and Emma Crochunis; his sister Betty Hess of New Hampshire; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a son, Robert Hain, a brother, Harry Hain, and a sister, Dolores LiPuma.
Services will be held at 11AM Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, with Rev. Kevin Roberts officiating.
Interment will be in Sky View Memorial Park, Tamaqua. Call from 10 AM to11 AM at the funeral home.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc., Tamaqua.
Albert W. Brand, 88, of Providence Place Pottsville, formally of Pine Grove, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2024 in Geisinger St. Luke's Hospital, Orwigsburg.
Born on September 20, 1935 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late William and Margaret Strehl Brand.
He was a Sergeant in the Marines having served from 1953 to 1956.
Albert received a diploma from the National School of Meat Cutting, Inc. in January 1957. He was a butcher and worked for his father as well as other businesses.
He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove, the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge #409 F. & A.M., a social member of Pine Grove VFW and Pine Grove American Legion, and the Moose Lodge.
Albert lived a good life. He was a devoted husband and loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed many outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and yard work. When age stopped him from doing many of the activities that he enjoyed, you could see him riding around Swatara Village on his scooter and talking with all of his friends.
Preceding him in death was a son David Brand and a sister Louise Shull.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Kathleen Flagler Brand, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 312 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove with Pastor Brian Beissel officiating. There will be a viewing on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. at the Church with Masonic Services at 10:30 A.M. and Military Services prior to the start of the funeral service. Interment with a committal service will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Whitemarsh Memorial Park, 1169 Limekiln Pike, Ambler, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements
Francis L. Blashock “Poncho”, 70, of Frackville, passed away on Saturday, March 9th at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Schuylkill East – Pottsville.
Born in Shenandoah on August 31, 1953, Frank was the son of the late Leon and Eleanor (Kolesinsky) Blashock.
He was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah and then worked for many years at Mrs. T’s Pierogies. In his youth, he was trained in karate and earned the rank of Shodan Black Belt. He also enjoyed oldies music and watching professional wrestling.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Blashock in 1974.
The surviving family includes his 3 daughters, Dawn Blashock – Frackville, Rebecca Rosario with Peter – Ashland, and Kelly Blashock - Mahanoy City. 2 brothers, Leon and Joseph Blashock, and 1 sister, Eleanor Bradley, 1 aunt - Barbara Bisco, 9 grandchildren, Alexander, Noah, Jesse, Karmia, Karmin, Chloe, Wynter, Isabella, and Evan, along with several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, March 14th from 8 to 9:30am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Scripture services will be conducted at 9:30am. Burial will immediately follow in the Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
Elwood Mantz, 95, formerly of Hecla, PA, passed away on March 10, 2024, at Providence Place, Pottsville, PA. He was a resident there since March 2023.
Elwood was born on December 9, 1928, in Coaldale, PA. He was the son of the late Charles and Edna (Adams) Mantz.
He was the widower of Joan M. (Nester) Mantz who passed away on July 21, 1979. Also preceded by death of two brothers (Norman Mantz and Edwin Mantz) and two sisters (Pauline Cunfer and Betty Fritz). He is survived by one brother, William Mantz of Landsdale, PA.
Elwood is also survived by a son, Robert Mantz (Kathleen Bennett) of Seattle, WA; a daughter, Linda Vaughn of Orwigsburg, PA; and a daughter, Debra Geiger (Bradley) of Buckeye, AZ. Also survived by grandchildren Bradley Hoy (April) of Placentia, CA; Brook (Geiger) Gendron (David) of San Diego, CA; Elizabeth Shay of Schuylkill Haven, PA; and Aimee (Mantz) Gibson and Stephanie (Mantz) Wiley of Michigan. And also survived by great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Elwood served in the US Army from April 1946 - Sept 1947 stationed in Tokyo Japan. After the Army, he worked on the Ahner Fruit Farm in Andreas, PA and drove truckloads of fruit to New York City five days a week. He then worked as a leather cutter at Zulicks Shoe Factory in Orwigsburg, PA; owned and operated the barbershop in his home in Hecla, PA; and was a stone crusher operator and truck driver at the stone quarry in Andreas, PA.
Elwood attended Christ Evangelical Free Church in Lehighton, PA. He was a hard worker throughout his life. He enjoyed taking care of his lawn, feeding the birds, and working on cars. He was able to travel frequently around the country to visit his family. Elwood loved playing cards, especially penny poker and golf card games. In his later years, his daughter, Linda, was his loving caregiver for several years prior to Elwood being transitioned to assisted living where he received wonderful care. He also enjoyed playing bingo there during his last year.
At the wishes of Elwood, a private graveside service will be held at Zion’s Stone Church Cemetery in New Ringgold, PA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Providence Place, 2200 First Avenue, Pottsville, PA 17901. Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold.
Elizabeth "Betty" Androshick, 87, of Tremont passed away Sunday night, March 10, 2024 at LVH Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Born in Pottsville, January 4, 1937, a daughter of the late Harry and Ida Brown Confair. Betty was a 1955 graduate of the former Tremont High School.
She worked for many years at the former Fox Knapp Manufacturing Company, Pine Grove. She was retired from Hershey Foods Corporation. Betty also worked in the concession stand at the former Tremont Movie Theater.
Betty was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Tremont and had been a member of the former Tremont Lions Club. She was active with her children when they were member of the Tremont Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Above all else, her family was her world. Her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren meant the world to her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her four brothers, William, Robert, Harry and Richard Confair.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Francis J. Androshick, Sr.; her three children, Francis "Joe" Androshick Jr. and his wife Jane, Donaldson; Janeen Stump and her husband Ray, Pine Grove, and Cecelia "Marie" Wicsount and her husband Sonny, Hegins; five grandchildren, Jennifer Krammes, Shanna Herb, Ashley Emerich, Jenna Hentz, and Brianna Deibert; nine great grandchildren; two sister-in-laws, Jeanne and Ruth; numerous nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 10-11 am at the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Tower City. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am. Betty will be laid to rest in the Mount Peace Cemetery, Minersville.
Memorial donations in her name can be made to Alzheimers Association, Chapter Headquarters 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
Robert is survived by his longtime companion Marge “Midge” Derr of Tamaqua; his daughters Natalie Hain-Sanko of East Greenville, PA, and Rachel Hain of Trappe, PA; his grandchildren, Amanda Crochunis and her husband Alex of New Ringgold and Joshua Sanko of Rehrersburg, PA; two great grandchildren, Gregory Crochunis and Emma Crochunis; his sister Betty Hess of New Hampshire; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by a son, Robert Hain, a brother, Harry Hain, and a sister, Dolores LiPuma.
Services will be held at 11AM Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, with Rev. Kevin Roberts officiating.
Interment will be in Sky View Memorial Park, Tamaqua. Call from 10 AM to11 AM at the funeral home.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Born on September 20, 1935 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late William and Margaret Strehl Brand.
He was a Sergeant in the Marines having served from 1953 to 1956.
Albert received a diploma from the National School of Meat Cutting, Inc. in January 1957. He was a butcher and worked for his father as well as other businesses.
He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove, the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge #409 F. & A.M., a social member of Pine Grove VFW and Pine Grove American Legion, and the Moose Lodge.
Albert lived a good life. He was a devoted husband and loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed many outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and yard work. When age stopped him from doing many of the activities that he enjoyed, you could see him riding around Swatara Village on his scooter and talking with all of his friends.
Preceding him in death was a son David Brand and a sister Louise Shull.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Kathleen Flagler Brand, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 312 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove with Pastor Brian Beissel officiating. There will be a viewing on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. at the Church with Masonic Services at 10:30 A.M. and Military Services prior to the start of the funeral service. Interment with a committal service will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at Whitemarsh Memorial Park, 1169 Limekiln Pike, Ambler, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements
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Born in Shenandoah on August 31, 1953, Frank was the son of the late Leon and Eleanor (Kolesinsky) Blashock.
He was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah and then worked for many years at Mrs. T’s Pierogies. In his youth, he was trained in karate and earned the rank of Shodan Black Belt. He also enjoyed oldies music and watching professional wrestling.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Blashock in 1974.
The surviving family includes his 3 daughters, Dawn Blashock – Frackville, Rebecca Rosario with Peter – Ashland, and Kelly Blashock - Mahanoy City. 2 brothers, Leon and Joseph Blashock, and 1 sister, Eleanor Bradley, 1 aunt - Barbara Bisco, 9 grandchildren, Alexander, Noah, Jesse, Karmia, Karmin, Chloe, Wynter, Isabella, and Evan, along with several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, March 14th from 8 to 9:30am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Scripture services will be conducted at 9:30am. Burial will immediately follow in the Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
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Elwood was born on December 9, 1928, in Coaldale, PA. He was the son of the late Charles and Edna (Adams) Mantz.
He was the widower of Joan M. (Nester) Mantz who passed away on July 21, 1979. Also preceded by death of two brothers (Norman Mantz and Edwin Mantz) and two sisters (Pauline Cunfer and Betty Fritz). He is survived by one brother, William Mantz of Landsdale, PA.
Elwood is also survived by a son, Robert Mantz (Kathleen Bennett) of Seattle, WA; a daughter, Linda Vaughn of Orwigsburg, PA; and a daughter, Debra Geiger (Bradley) of Buckeye, AZ. Also survived by grandchildren Bradley Hoy (April) of Placentia, CA; Brook (Geiger) Gendron (David) of San Diego, CA; Elizabeth Shay of Schuylkill Haven, PA; and Aimee (Mantz) Gibson and Stephanie (Mantz) Wiley of Michigan. And also survived by great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Elwood served in the US Army from April 1946 - Sept 1947 stationed in Tokyo Japan. After the Army, he worked on the Ahner Fruit Farm in Andreas, PA and drove truckloads of fruit to New York City five days a week. He then worked as a leather cutter at Zulicks Shoe Factory in Orwigsburg, PA; owned and operated the barbershop in his home in Hecla, PA; and was a stone crusher operator and truck driver at the stone quarry in Andreas, PA.
Elwood attended Christ Evangelical Free Church in Lehighton, PA. He was a hard worker throughout his life. He enjoyed taking care of his lawn, feeding the birds, and working on cars. He was able to travel frequently around the country to visit his family. Elwood loved playing cards, especially penny poker and golf card games. In his later years, his daughter, Linda, was his loving caregiver for several years prior to Elwood being transitioned to assisted living where he received wonderful care. He also enjoyed playing bingo there during his last year.
At the wishes of Elwood, a private graveside service will be held at Zion’s Stone Church Cemetery in New Ringgold, PA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Providence Place, 2200 First Avenue, Pottsville, PA 17901. Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold.
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Born in Pottsville, January 4, 1937, a daughter of the late Harry and Ida Brown Confair. Betty was a 1955 graduate of the former Tremont High School.
She worked for many years at the former Fox Knapp Manufacturing Company, Pine Grove. She was retired from Hershey Foods Corporation. Betty also worked in the concession stand at the former Tremont Movie Theater.
Betty was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Tremont and had been a member of the former Tremont Lions Club. She was active with her children when they were member of the Tremont Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Above all else, her family was her world. Her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren meant the world to her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her four brothers, William, Robert, Harry and Richard Confair.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Francis J. Androshick, Sr.; her three children, Francis "Joe" Androshick Jr. and his wife Jane, Donaldson; Janeen Stump and her husband Ray, Pine Grove, and Cecelia "Marie" Wicsount and her husband Sonny, Hegins; five grandchildren, Jennifer Krammes, Shanna Herb, Ashley Emerich, Jenna Hentz, and Brianna Deibert; nine great grandchildren; two sister-in-laws, Jeanne and Ruth; numerous nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 10-11 am at the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Tower City. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am. Betty will be laid to rest in the Mount Peace Cemetery, Minersville.
Memorial donations in her name can be made to Alzheimers Association, Chapter Headquarters 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
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