Skook News Obituaries: April 10th, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Joe attended Frackville schools and graduated in 1968 from North Schuylkill High School. He spent his entire working life of over 45 years at Anthony’s, now Boyer’s Food Markets in the Deli and Meat Departments. He volunteered with the Frackville Jaycees, helping to organize community activities and events for children in the Borough.
Joe’s favorite activities were fly fishing on the rivers of Pennsylvania, New York and Montana, which he visited every year for several decades, snowmobiling with old and new friends in Caribou, Maine and Penn State sports where he faithfully followed women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, football and wrestling.
Joe is survived by two sisters, Elaine M. Mykolayko and Suzanne Mykolayko, both of Frackville and a legion of faithful friends.
A visitation will be held for friends on Monday, April 15th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington Street Frackville. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made, in Joseph’s name, to the charity of your choice.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville, is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Pottsville September 12, 1935 he was a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Elenchin) Swartchick.
A graduate of St. Clair High School he retired as a mechanic after working for United Metal, Argo Mills and St. Clair School District. Nearing retirement age he was a proud graduate of the Electricity/Electronic program at the Schuylkill County Technology Center in Frackville.
Bowie was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Church, the former Immaculate Conception Church. He was an avid bowler and softball player. He spent many years coaching Independent for the St. Clair Little League. Above all he was a family man and enjoyed watching the Phillies with his sons.
Surviving are three sons, James Swartchick, St. Clair, Thomas Swartchick and his wife Lien,South Carolina and Daniel Swartchick, St. Clair; a daughter, Marysusan Dougherty and her husband, Joseph, Kingsport, Tenn.; a brother Michael Swartchick, nieces and nephews, including John Symons, Lavelle, Cynthia Tilinski, and Brian Symons, both of St. Clair, six grandchildren, Kerry, Stacie, Ali, Steven, Andrea and Emily and 10 great grandchildren.
Joseph was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth “Bettylou” Swartchick in 2012 and two brothers Steve and Jack Swartchick.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM , Saturday April 13, 2024 from St. Clare of Assisi Church, 250 E Hancock Street, St Clair, PA 17970 with the Rev. Msgr. William Glosser officiating. Friends may call from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Friday April 12, 2024 and 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Saturday April 13 at the Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street, St. Clair. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St. Clair Little League at P.O. Box 22 Saint Clair, Pennsylvania 17970 or St. Claire of Assissi/ Immaculate Conception Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund at 250 E Hancock Street, St Clair, PA 17970. Please make check payable to St. Claire of Assisi Church and mark Perpetual Care Fund in the memo.
Bruce Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is entrusted with arrangements.
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Born in Shenandoah on June 17, 1956, Joe was the son of the late Peter Paul "Pete" Lawson Sr. and Elizabeth Jane "Betty" (Dower) Lawson.
Joe was a 1974 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School. He then went on to work for Reading Anthracite, and later Northeast Prestressed Products, from which he retired in the summer of 2023.
Joe was an active member of his community. He joined the Rescue Hook and Ladder Fire Co. in 1979, and became secretary in 1984. Joe was also a key member in establishing their block party, his recipes now being well known and loved in Shenandoah. Joe served as Fire Chief from 1992 until 1993, forging strong friendships within the Shenandoah Fire Dept., many whom he considered to be family. Joe also served as Shenandoah's Borough Council President from 1998 until 2002, and fought to better the town he loved so much.
In his spare time, you could find Joe playing the piano, many referring to him as "The Piano Man". His love for music was immense, starting at a very young age. He was well known in his community for his musical talent, forming a band called The Diamonds, who played together from 1974 until 1980, and playing in various churches, weddings, events, the Shenandoah Valley Drama Club, and most recently at the Shenandoah Manor for the residents, especially his mother-in-law, Joan, and late mother, Betty.
Joe's greatest joy in life was his family. His grandchildren were his best friends. He leaves behind his loving wife of 35 years, Susan "Susie" (Caulfield) Lawson; a daughter, Rachael Lawson-Yeager with her husband Josh; a son, Joseph Benjamin "Ben" Lawson Jr. and partner Amanda Arnold; grandchildren, Asher and Paisley Lawson, Harper and Liam Yeager, and Sonny Arnold; a brother, Paul Lawson and his wife Deborah, of Frackville, and their daughter Laura Young and husband CJ a sister, Paula Jo Hornberger and her husband Lance, of Ringtown, and their children Austin and wife Victoria, Mitchell, and Joyanne, along with great nieces and nephew.
Scripture and prayer services will be held on Saturday morning, April 13, 2024 at 11:00 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah with Reverend Craig Zimmerman officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday morning from 8:00 am until 11:00 am at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy as contributions in Joe's memory can be made to the Rescue Hook and Ladder Fire Co., 201 North Main Street, Shenandoah and will be also be accepted at the funeral home.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in care of the arrangements.
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He was born October 5, 1931, in Pottsville a son of the late Edward and Maude McGolder Frank
He was a graduate of the last graduating class of Pottsville Catholic High School.
He was owner operator of the former Jerry's Tavern, Pottsville, prior to retiring.
He was a Army veteran having served during the Korean War.
Jerry was a member St. Patrick Roman Catholic Chruch, Pottsville and a former member of the Schuylkill County Motorcycle Club.
Thorough out Jerry's life he enjoyed riding his motorcycle whenever he could.
He was preceded in death by his 1st wife Margaret Kelly Frank; a son, Shane Frank, Sr.; 2 daughters, Patricia Reichert and Michele Renninger; a brother, Edward Frank; 2 sisters, Dot Ginther and Joan Burns.
Surviving are his wife of 10 years Sara Jane Bickleman Frank; a son, Robert E. Frank Jr., and his wife Veta, Pottsville; a daughter, Terry Peterson and her husband Nick, Reading; 6 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; numerous step-children, step-grandchildren; and step great-grandchildren.
Graveside Military Honors will be held 11:30AM Wednesday, April 17th at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. Family and friends are invited to gather for a funeral procession Wednesday April 17th from 9:00AM-9:30AM at the James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Procession will depart the funeral home no later than 9:45AM for the cemetery.
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Born October 11th, 1952, in Pottsville, he was the son of the late Frances "Dolly" Bicht Schell and Harry "Hen" W. Schell Sr. He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran serving for over 12 years. He was a Chief Petty Officer and served in the Navy as a hull technician and learned his craft of welding. He also spent time in SIMA in Little Creek, Virginia.
After serving in the military, he returned home to Port Carbon and married the love of his life, Nina Thomas Schell, on June 18th, 1994.
Before retirement, he worked for Hahn of Hamburg, Yaissle's Auto Body of Pottsville, Krammes Kustom Body of St. Clair, and Structural Metal Fabrication (SMF) of Palmerton.
He was proceeded in death by his mother, Dolly, father, Harry, sister, Carol, and brother-in-law, Bob.
Hank is survived by his wife, Nina, sisters, June Straub (Rich), Kathy Faust, and Teri Revelette, children, Jessica Sievert (Brett), Jeffrey Schell (Shannon), James Schell (Monica), and step-children, Kati Bechtel (Bob), Michelle Darosh (David), and his "adopted" daughters, Nicole Shappell and Karisa Lauren Lash, grandchildren, Krystle (Colton), Alisyn (Kyle), Aden, Adam, Adra, Jameson, Brooke, Gaige, and Aubri, great-grandchildren, Liam, Brodie, Lillian and Beckett and many other extended family including many "favorite" nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon on Sunday May 19th at 3PM, with Rev Lorraine Heckman officiating. Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with his family on Sunday May 19th from 1-3PM at the Funeral Home. Interment with Military Honors will be held at a later date at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
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Born in Mahanoy City on July 17, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Michael & Eva Gudalis Kaminsky. She graduated from Mahanoy City High School and was a very active lifetime member of the MCHS Class of 43 Reunion Committee. Jennie attended the St. Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church in Mahanoy City. She was a devoted mother and homemaker and spent her whole life caring for her family and friends. She was an avid Scrabble player, enjoyed watching Jeopardy, and playing trivia and bingo, and listening to music. Most of all. Jennie was a huge fan of John Wayne and his many movies.
In addition the her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband John A. Wargo, to whom she was married for over 58 years; son, John "Jack" Wargo; grandson, Justin John; and sisters , Theresa Matz and Petronella "Patsy" Roberts.
Jennie is survived by one daughter Michele, wife of Jonathan Denny, North Myrtle Beach, SC, one son; Jamie "Ernie" Wargo, husband of Patricia "Patti", Barnesville, grandson, Patrick Wargo; granddaughter, Kelly Lucas-Matula; great grandson, Jaxson Schaefer, and many nieces and nephews.
The family sends special thanks for the care provided by everyone at Providence Place where Jennie resided for six years, as well as care provided by Advantage Hospice and Compassus.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a religious service to be held by the Rev. Kevin P. Gallagher on Wednesday May 15, 2024 at 11 AM from David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City.
Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Mahanoy Township. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning at 9:30 AM until time of service.
Contributions in her name to St. Teresa of Calcutta Church Memo: Perpetual Adoration Chapel would be appreciated by the family and will be accepted at the visitation.
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Born in Pottsville, October 15, 1942, a son of the late Earl and Margaret Kramer Stoudt.
Bob was a United States Marine veteran, serving from 1960-1964.
He was an accomplished auto-body technician, having worked at Sutliff Chevrolet and Brenner Automotive, as well as doing independent auto-body work. He also worked for the former Chromalloy, Harrisburg.
Bob enjoyed being in the outdoors, whether it be fishing, hunting, or working in his garden. He spent many hours riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and always looked forward to his sea trout fishing trips to Ocean City, Maryland with his son. Above all else, he was very proud of his son and enjoyed his daily visits.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two wives, Barbara Koppenhaver Stoudt, 1990, and Barbara Harman Stoudt, 2018; a step-daughter, Mindy Keesler, 2020; two brothers, Dale and William Stoudt; a sister, Dawn Smith.
Surviving are his son, Robert M. Stoudt, Halifax; one granddaughter, Skylar Stoudt, North Carolina; three step-daughters, Mandy, Michelle, and Missy; numerous step-grandchildren, including, Kyle Dietrich, whom Bob was very close to; a sister, Faye Engle, Schuylkill Haven; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Tower City with Pastor Amanda Bressler officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30-11 at the chapel. Bob will be laid to rest with military honors in the Riverview Memorial Gardens, Halifax.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Halifax EMS, 31 Bunker Hill Rd, Halifax, PA 17032.
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She was born on Thursday, March 15, 1962, in Shamokin, a daughter of the late Raymond Bednar and the late Louise (Thomas) Bednar.
Janet was a 1980 graduate of Shamokin Area High School.
She was a rural route mail carrier in the Pitman area, serving her beloved customers, prior to her retirement.
She was a member of Zion Evangelical Congregational Church, Pitman.
Janet enjoyed gardening, canning, spending time with her family, and taking rides in her golf cart in the valley.
Janet wanted everyone to know that she had ovarian cancer and to be your own advocate for your health. She always said "Listen to your body, and if something doesn't feel right, take care of it."
She is survived by her husband Ricci J Fetterolf, to whom she was married for 42 years.
She is also survived by three daughters, Christina Steele and her husband Alex of Commerece, GA, Tracy Best and her husband Arch of Sykesville, MD, and Pamela Fetterolf of Tower City; a son, George Fetterolf of Burleson, TX; two grandsons, Hunter Fetterolf and Brayden Fetterolf; a granddaughter, Charlie Grimm; a brother, Raymond Bednar of Trevorton; two sisters, Kathleen Varano of Mount Carmel and Elaine DeWire of Selinsgrove; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Zion Evangelical Congregational Church, Pitman, on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Todd Wolfe officiating.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday at the church.
Burial will be in Zion Cemetery, Pitman.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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