Skook News Obituaries: April 22nd, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Eleanor T. Shelakes, 96, of Mahanoy City, passed away Saturday, April 20th, at Shenandoah Senior Living Community, Shenandoah.Eleanor was born in Trenton, PA on September 30, 1927, a daughter of the late Helen (Stetz) and Joseph Kershetsky.
She had graduated from Mahanoy City High School, class of 1945.
Eleanor was a member of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church Mahanoy City.
She loved to go Bowling.
Eleanor was wife of the late Anthony Shelakes.
Eleanor is survived by a sister, Rosellen Blue, of Florida, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by a brother Joseph, and Sisters Dorothy Steibler, and Natalie Gabuzda.
Office of Christian Burial and Divine Liturgy at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, Mahanoy City, at 11 AM on Wednesday, May 1st, with Rev. James Carroll officiating.
Friends and family may call Wednesday 10 to 11 AM at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church.
Interment at St. Mary's Byzantine Cemetery.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and send sympathy cards.
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Arthur James Felty, 96, former resident of Pine Grove, passed away peacefully April 19, 2024, at his home in Saint Clair, Pennsylvania with family at his side. He was a loving husband to Faye Elizabeth (Geier) Felty for 72 years.
Arthur was born on June 30, 1927, in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Adam and Florence (Newcomer) Felty. He was a graduate of Pine Grove High School, class of 1945. Arthur was an Eagle Scout, earning two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Order of the Arrow. He served in the Army Air Corps during 1945 and 1946, training as a weather observer at Sheppard Field, Texas and Chanute Field, Illinois. He achieved the rank of Sergeant prior to discharge from Maxwell Field, Alabama.
Arthur worked at Alcoa Aluminum, Cressona as a Laboratory Analyst until the company closed operations in Cressona. He continued to work in the Lab at the former Cressona Aluminum Company until he took over operations of the Cressona Aluminum Employees Federal Credit Union, which he managed for 13 years.
Arthur was President of the Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Credit Union League from 1993 to 1998. He volunteered for AARP as an income tax preparer for over 25 years and was a 70 plus year member of the Pine Grove American Legion.
Faith in God was an important aspect of Arthur’s life. He was a Christian, a man of faith and grace. As an active member of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Pine Grove he served many roles, which included adult Sunday school teacher, superintendent, church treasurer (18 years), lay leader for over 40 years and chairman of the administrative council. He also served as a lay speaker at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Pine Grove, at United Presbyterian Church in St. Clair and at Donaldson United Methodist Church in Donaldson.
Singing was a passion for Arthur and it brought great joy to his life to share his talent with others. During his time at Penn State Schuylkill Campus, he sang 1st tenor under Jimmy Beach with the Men’s Quartet and Chorus. In church, he sang in the Senior Choir. He sang solos for many special occasions, including performing “Oh Holy Night” at Christmas Eve services for 50+ years. His musical talents extended to playing both the piano and organ for much of his life.
Arthur enjoyed learning, was creative and had a phenomenal talent for handicrafts and mastering new skills. He built and maintained his house, assembled two organs and a grandfather clock from kits. He loved to sew and was a tailor- quality seamster, making robes for the Church Choir and clothing for special occasions for family members. He crocheted scores of afghans and countless washcloths as a hobby over the years, which have become treasured keepsakes among family and friends.
Most of all, Arthur loved his family. He was a man of great character and integrity, a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His consideration and generosity for others will remain in his legacy.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters. Laura (infant), Ada (Zechman), Adam, Alma (Gibson), Alberta (Wolfe), Alda (Eichert), and Allen.
In addition to his wife, Arthur is survived by a sister, Alice (Ohlemacher); sister-in-law Fay (Cox) Felty; daughter Susan Shappell and her husband Andrew, Saint Clair, Pennsylvania; son, Rodney Felty and his wife Donna (Blevins) of Ripley, West Virginia; grandchildren Monica (Ryan) Kent, Ryan (Amanda) Felty, and Ross (Leigh) Felty; great grandchildren, Jude, Adelynn, Leo, Finn, Asher, Luna, Emersynn, and Lyla; many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks are extended to the staff at Lehigh Valley Hospital Schuylkill, All Care Home Care and Hospice for the care and concern shown to him.
Memorial services and interment at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery will be scheduled at a future date at the convenience of the family.
Bruce Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is entrusted with arrangements.
Adam “Mickey” Holota, 93, of 28 East High Street, Coaldale, died on Saturday, April 21, 2024, in Hometown. He was the husband of Lillian (Svrchek) Holota with whom he celebrated 68 years of marriage this past October.
Born in Reading, PA and raised in Tuscarora, Adam was the son of the late Michael and Anna (Dobrosky) Holota and a stepson of the late Pearl Holota. A 1949 graduate of Tamaqua High School, he was a member of the Coaldale VFW Post #6982, the Coaldale American Legion Post #170, and St. John Slovak Lutheran Church, Lansford where he was very active as an usher and a reader. Adam proudly served in the United States Air Force for 24 years on assignments that took him to numerous locations both domestically and overseas including a tour in Vietnam. After his retirement in 1973, Mickey was greeted by many residents of Panther Valley on his long and frequent walks through Coaldale and Lansford.
His greatest joy in life was his wife, Lilly, and their four sons: Michael, Martin, Mark, and Richard.
Adam was predeceased by a brother, Robert Dobrosky, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A private interment service will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Patricia A. Seiberling, 70, a former longtime resident of Frackville, passed away on April 21, 2024, surrounded by her family at the home of her son in Wadsworth, Ohio.
Patricia was born in Pottsville on March 25, 1954, a daughter of the late Gerald and Jean (Frew) Seltzer. She was a 1972 graduate of the Nativity BVM high school, and worked at the former Schuylkill Mall at Par-Mor and Sears as a department manager. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Pottsville.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald Seltzer, Jr.
Patricia is survived by her sons, Brian (Amy) Seiberling of Wadsworth, Ohio and Mark (Amanda Garlen) Seiberling of Philadelphia.
She leaves behind her grandchildren, Abbey (Adalyn Terrell) Seiberling, Kylie Seiberling, Aubrey Seiberling, Jacob Seiberling, Kennedy Seiberling and Sydney Seiberling.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, April 27th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM at the Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 West Market Street, Pottsville, followed by a funeral service at 1 PM. Patricia will be laid to rest at Calvery Cemetery in Pottsville, immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Patricia's memory are asked to be made to either the Frackville or Mahanoy City Public Library.
Lawrence J. “Larry” Straka, Jr., 70 of Westminster, Maryland formerly of Bristol passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2024 in Westminster, Maryland.
Prayer and scripture services will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024 at 10:00 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian officiating.
Interment with US Air Force Military Honors will follow in Saint Stephen’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A visitation will be held on Monday morning from 9:00 am until 10:00 am.
Arthur was born on June 30, 1927, in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Adam and Florence (Newcomer) Felty. He was a graduate of Pine Grove High School, class of 1945. Arthur was an Eagle Scout, earning two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Order of the Arrow. He served in the Army Air Corps during 1945 and 1946, training as a weather observer at Sheppard Field, Texas and Chanute Field, Illinois. He achieved the rank of Sergeant prior to discharge from Maxwell Field, Alabama.
Arthur worked at Alcoa Aluminum, Cressona as a Laboratory Analyst until the company closed operations in Cressona. He continued to work in the Lab at the former Cressona Aluminum Company until he took over operations of the Cressona Aluminum Employees Federal Credit Union, which he managed for 13 years.
Arthur was President of the Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Credit Union League from 1993 to 1998. He volunteered for AARP as an income tax preparer for over 25 years and was a 70 plus year member of the Pine Grove American Legion.
Faith in God was an important aspect of Arthur’s life. He was a Christian, a man of faith and grace. As an active member of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Pine Grove he served many roles, which included adult Sunday school teacher, superintendent, church treasurer (18 years), lay leader for over 40 years and chairman of the administrative council. He also served as a lay speaker at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Pine Grove, at United Presbyterian Church in St. Clair and at Donaldson United Methodist Church in Donaldson.
Singing was a passion for Arthur and it brought great joy to his life to share his talent with others. During his time at Penn State Schuylkill Campus, he sang 1st tenor under Jimmy Beach with the Men’s Quartet and Chorus. In church, he sang in the Senior Choir. He sang solos for many special occasions, including performing “Oh Holy Night” at Christmas Eve services for 50+ years. His musical talents extended to playing both the piano and organ for much of his life.
Arthur enjoyed learning, was creative and had a phenomenal talent for handicrafts and mastering new skills. He built and maintained his house, assembled two organs and a grandfather clock from kits. He loved to sew and was a tailor- quality seamster, making robes for the Church Choir and clothing for special occasions for family members. He crocheted scores of afghans and countless washcloths as a hobby over the years, which have become treasured keepsakes among family and friends.
Most of all, Arthur loved his family. He was a man of great character and integrity, a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His consideration and generosity for others will remain in his legacy.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters. Laura (infant), Ada (Zechman), Adam, Alma (Gibson), Alberta (Wolfe), Alda (Eichert), and Allen.
In addition to his wife, Arthur is survived by a sister, Alice (Ohlemacher); sister-in-law Fay (Cox) Felty; daughter Susan Shappell and her husband Andrew, Saint Clair, Pennsylvania; son, Rodney Felty and his wife Donna (Blevins) of Ripley, West Virginia; grandchildren Monica (Ryan) Kent, Ryan (Amanda) Felty, and Ross (Leigh) Felty; great grandchildren, Jude, Adelynn, Leo, Finn, Asher, Luna, Emersynn, and Lyla; many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks are extended to the staff at Lehigh Valley Hospital Schuylkill, All Care Home Care and Hospice for the care and concern shown to him.
Memorial services and interment at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery will be scheduled at a future date at the convenience of the family.
Bruce Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is entrusted with arrangements.
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Born in Reading, PA and raised in Tuscarora, Adam was the son of the late Michael and Anna (Dobrosky) Holota and a stepson of the late Pearl Holota. A 1949 graduate of Tamaqua High School, he was a member of the Coaldale VFW Post #6982, the Coaldale American Legion Post #170, and St. John Slovak Lutheran Church, Lansford where he was very active as an usher and a reader. Adam proudly served in the United States Air Force for 24 years on assignments that took him to numerous locations both domestically and overseas including a tour in Vietnam. After his retirement in 1973, Mickey was greeted by many residents of Panther Valley on his long and frequent walks through Coaldale and Lansford.
His greatest joy in life was his wife, Lilly, and their four sons: Michael, Martin, Mark, and Richard.
Adam was predeceased by a brother, Robert Dobrosky, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A private interment service will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Patricia A. Seiberling, 70, a former longtime resident of Frackville, passed away on April 21, 2024, surrounded by her family at the home of her son in Wadsworth, Ohio.
Patricia was born in Pottsville on March 25, 1954, a daughter of the late Gerald and Jean (Frew) Seltzer. She was a 1972 graduate of the Nativity BVM high school, and worked at the former Schuylkill Mall at Par-Mor and Sears as a department manager. She was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Pottsville.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald Seltzer, Jr.
Patricia is survived by her sons, Brian (Amy) Seiberling of Wadsworth, Ohio and Mark (Amanda Garlen) Seiberling of Philadelphia.
She leaves behind her grandchildren, Abbey (Adalyn Terrell) Seiberling, Kylie Seiberling, Aubrey Seiberling, Jacob Seiberling, Kennedy Seiberling and Sydney Seiberling.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, April 27th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 PM at the Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 West Market Street, Pottsville, followed by a funeral service at 1 PM. Patricia will be laid to rest at Calvery Cemetery in Pottsville, immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Patricia's memory are asked to be made to either the Frackville or Mahanoy City Public Library.
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Lawrence J. “Larry” Straka, Jr., 70 of Westminster, Maryland formerly of Bristol passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2024 in Westminster, Maryland.
Prayer and scripture services will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024 at 10:00 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian officiating.
Interment with US Air Force Military Honors will follow in Saint Stephen’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A visitation will be held on Monday morning from 9:00 am until 10:00 am.
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