Skook News Obituaries: May 23rd, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Tower City, February 10, 1940, a daughter of the late Herman and Mary Shomper Leuschner. Emma Jane was a 1958 graduate of the former Porter High School.
She began her career with the United States Postal Service in 1968, working at the the Williamstown office for over 24 years. She retired as Post Master in 1992.
She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Williamstown.
Emma Jane was very talented in arts and crafts, whether it be ceramics, sewing, painting, or making floral arrangements. She took great pride in the appearance of her home, always making sure it looked its very best. She was very active with the Sesquicentennial Celebration in Williamstown. Above all else, Emma Jane was extremely proud of her family.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Smith; five brothers, Lee, Herman, John, Guy and Harold Leuschner.
Surviving are her husband, Harold L. Smith, to whom she would have celebrated 65 years of marriage with on June 13th; her son, David Smith and his wife Jode, Williamstown; grandchildren she adored, Dylan Smith and his wife Ashley, McAlisterville, Leah Murphy and her husband Nate, New York, and also Morgan Klinger (Dale), Tower City, whom Emma Jane considered a granddaughter; a brother, Keith; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11:00 am from Immanuel Lutheran Church Church, Williamstown with John Paul officiating. A visitation will be from 10-11 at the church. Following services, a luncheon and time of fellowship will be held at the Williamstown Fire Company social hall. Emma Jane will be laid to rest privately in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name can be made to the Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901 or the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 141 East Street, Williamstown, PA 17098.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City is honored to serve the Smith family.
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Joan was born in Pottsville, Pa. on May 15, 1932, a daughter of the late Anna (Kerlavage) and Adolph Anthony Jamitis. She was the widow of Joseph T. Destefano. She graduated from Pottsville High School in 1950. She was a member of St. Matthew the Evangelist Church of the Holy Family Parish and of the former St. Barbara Church, Minersville. Before marrying, she was employed as a Secretary at ALCOA Aluminum. Joan was an artist and craftsperson from a young age.
In her early years she sketched beautiful portraits and landscapes, some of which she recently displayed at an exhibition at her assisted living facility. Her artistic work later focused on sewing, knitting, cross-stitching and a multitude of crafts. She presented gifts that included beautiful baby booties, caps, and sweaters, as well as intricately designed cards that she made for every occasion and were cherished by recipients. She was also a cook who made delicious homestyle meals for friends and family. An avid reader, she passed her love of reading to members of her family and extended family. She enjoyed playing cards and heading out to the bowling alley weekly for many years. While she loved living in Minersville, where she spent 91 years, she also enjoyed living in the Washington, DC area for the last nine months where she moved to be nearer to two of her daughters and her granddaughter.
In addition to her parents, and her husband, Joseph, she was preceded in death by a brother Joseph Jamitis, and a son-in-law, David Salovesh.
Joan is survived by three daughters, Ann Ashton, Nancy , wife of Anthony Winkler, and Jean DeStefano. Joan is also survived by a sister, Betty Ann Sell, and a granddaughter, Ophelia DeStefano, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
All are respectfully invited to attend a Visitation 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 28th, at Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc. in Minersville, PA.
A Religious Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM with Reverend Jason F. Stokes officiating.
Interment Saint Barbara Cemetery. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
Gary L. Hatter, 70, of Donaldson, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday evening, May 22, 2024 shortly after arriving at Lehigh Valley Medical Center - East, Pottsville.
Born in Pottsville, May 19, 1954, a son of Merwin Hatter, Donaldson, and the late Nancy Miller Hatter. He was a 1972 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School.
Gary retired as a welder with Arthur Pat Aungst Inc., Pine Grove where he worked for 32 years, a job he took great pride in.
He was the true definition of an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and taking in all nature has to offer. He could often be found working in his yard, always making sure it looked its very best. Gary loved a good deal and enjoyed going to yard sales and flea markets. Over the years he gained a large collection of marbles. Above all else his family was his world. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Ronald and Donald Hatter; a nephew, Shannon Hatter.
Surviving in addition to his father are his wife of 50 years, Sally Bain Hatter; three children, Jennifer Rittenbaugh (Marc), Donaldson, Jamie Ney (Wes), Tremont, and Jeremy Hatter, Donaldson; his brother, Mark Hatter (Pam), Tremont; six grandchildren, Kody, Katelyn, Brittanie, Brendan, Austen, and Ayden; great grandchildren, Abigail, Tate, Kash, Flynt Lamar, and Krew to arrive shortly; numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM from the chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Tower City with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. Visitation will be from 10-11 at the chapel. Gary will be laid to rest in the Donaldson Community Cemetery.
Memorial donations in Gary's name can be made to Tremont Ambulance Association, 49 North Street, Tremont, PA 17981 or the Donaldson Fire Company, 1 West Center Street, Donaldson, PA 17981.
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Born in Pottsville, May 19, 1954, a son of Merwin Hatter, Donaldson, and the late Nancy Miller Hatter. He was a 1972 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School.
Gary retired as a welder with Arthur Pat Aungst Inc., Pine Grove where he worked for 32 years, a job he took great pride in.
He was the true definition of an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and taking in all nature has to offer. He could often be found working in his yard, always making sure it looked its very best. Gary loved a good deal and enjoyed going to yard sales and flea markets. Over the years he gained a large collection of marbles. Above all else his family was his world. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Ronald and Donald Hatter; a nephew, Shannon Hatter.
Surviving in addition to his father are his wife of 50 years, Sally Bain Hatter; three children, Jennifer Rittenbaugh (Marc), Donaldson, Jamie Ney (Wes), Tremont, and Jeremy Hatter, Donaldson; his brother, Mark Hatter (Pam), Tremont; six grandchildren, Kody, Katelyn, Brittanie, Brendan, Austen, and Ayden; great grandchildren, Abigail, Tate, Kash, Flynt Lamar, and Krew to arrive shortly; numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM from the chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Tower City with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. Visitation will be from 10-11 at the chapel. Gary will be laid to rest in the Donaldson Community Cemetery.
Memorial donations in Gary's name can be made to Tremont Ambulance Association, 49 North Street, Tremont, PA 17981 or the Donaldson Fire Company, 1 West Center Street, Donaldson, PA 17981.
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