Skook News Obituaries: May 31st, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Shenandoah, she was a daughter of the late John and Lillian (Marsteller) Zembas. She was employed at Hollander, Frackville for 26 years before retiring.
Ruth was affectionately known to many as “Mam Mam.” She was dedicated to her family and friends. She enjoyed camping, crafting and making her famous Easter candy and homemade cocktail sauce. She was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
Ruth was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Frackville and was a former board member of the Frackville Midget Football Association, where she spent countless hours with her children and grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Robert Bainbridge and her sister Shirley Zembas.
Mam Mam is survived by her four children: Lisa Quercia and her husband Richard; Michelle Richards and her husband Joel; Duane Bainbridge and his fiancé Gail Horan; Shawn Bainbridge and his fiancé Amber Haage; her 15 grandchildren: Kory, Brittany, Tori, Demi, Bryce, Avari, Savanna, Trennen, Robert Jr., Ryan, Shane, Catherine, Miranda, Jesalynne and Shawn Jr.; and her 11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Ruth will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 3rd from the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville with Rev. Carl Shankweiler officiating. Family and friends are invited to her viewing on Monday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Frackville.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Reading he was the son of the late Russell L. & Joyce W. (Webb) Brobst Sr. He was a 1971 graduate of North Schuylkill High School and attended the vocational technical school. He had been employed by Caterpillar and last worked as a welder for Dana Corporation. He was a member of Frackville BPOE 1533 and was of the Protestant faith. He enjoyed working with his tractor, riding his motorcycle and traveling cross country by road.
He was preceded in death by his nephew Russell L. Brobst III.
Survivors include his wife the former Debra L. Morgan who together celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April, a son Sammy D. Brobst Jr. and his fiancé' Kristy of Frackville, a brother Russell L. Brobst Jr. and his wife Diane of Frackville, grandchildren Ty Bowers, Stephanie Brobst and Emma Gruber, and two nieces Amanda Brobst and Megan Ward and her husband Thomas III.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral on Thursday morning at 11 AM from David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City.
The Rev. Julian J. Milewski will officiate.Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday morning beginning at 9:30 AM. Contributions in Sammy's name to the Hillside SPCA would be appreciated by the family and accepted at the visitation.
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If you crossed paths with Deb, you quickly learned a few things: her husband, Don, was her best friend; how proud she was of her daughter, Kelly; her grandsons, Silas and Brayden, filled her life with joy; her strong faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and that you gained a friend who was ready to support you in your time of need, and would always make time to say “I love you.”
Deb enjoyed gardening, vacationing in Eleuthera, Bahamas, spending time with her family and friends, walking, reading her Bible, cooking, and baking, singing (in the car and shower), and feeding and watching the many types of birds that visited her gardens. She took great pride in decorating her home for every holiday and receiving many compliments on her decorations. Outdoor seasonal flags filled her yards with colors and messages for all to enjoy. She loved finding used items at flea markets and yard sales and repurposing them into something unique and beautiful. Deb loved hanging laundry outdoors, no matter how cold, and resting her head at night on sun-dried sheets. She was an active member of the Christ United Methodist Church and was dedicated to her missionary work supporting the Christ Open Marketplace and sending cards to members who were no longer able to attend church.
Nearly five years ago, Deb began fighting a courageous battle against ovarian cancer. Her journey led to messaging approximately 45 people an inspirational text or scripture every morning and sometimes evening. “Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Debra, the daughter of the late Gordon E. Deiter and Betty M. Solence Deiter, was born in Lykens, PA, on September 14, 1957. She was a graduate of Upper Dauphin Area High School and prior to retirement, built lasting friendships as a seamstress at J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills and a receiving clerk at MSC.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Dorothy Pinkerton, Sherry Nye, Gordon Deiter, Jr., and Donna Koons; nephew Joe Wingert and niece Kristi Nye Wenzel.
Surviving is her husband and best friend, Donald Hughes Jr.; daughter Kelly Harrison and her husband, Darius; step-son Brian Hughes and wife Allison; grandsons, Silas and Brayden; sisters-in-law Mary Taylor, Carol Deiter, and Valerie Hughes; brother-in-law Gregory Koons; nieces and nephews Kim Nye, James Nye, Jr., Stephanie (Deiter) Poole, Valerie (Koons) Acker, Jackie (Wingert) O’Neil, Jay Wingert, Melonie Wingert; many faithful friends; and her doggie companion, Lily.
Family and friends are invited to visit with Deb’s family to share stories of love and memories on Wednesday, June 5, from 4-5 pm at Christ United Methodist Church, Tower City. Pastor Annette Shutt will officiate a celebration of life service that will start at 5 pm where we can reflect and sing her favorite hymns. A time of fellowship and a light meal will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Deb's memory can be made to one of her favorite organizations, the Christ Open Marketplace, 400 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City, PA 17980. You could also plant one flower in your personal garden in memory of her.
To celebrate Deb’s life, her family invites you to share pictures or memories at this link.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. is honored to serve Deb's family.
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Paul Hepler, 72, of Ashland (Taylorsville) passed away Thursday morning May 30, 2024 in Butler Township.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc, 901 Centre St, Ashland PA has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Arika L. Berger, 55, of Shenandoah, passed away surrounded by her family on May 23, 2024, at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Born in Bethlehem, Pa on April 8, 1969, she was the daughter of Marilyn and the late Alvin Vandergrift.
Arika worked as a medical assistant, a dental assistant, and most recently as a home health aide.
She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Richard Berger Jr., two sons- Alan Berger with Tiffany and Curtis Berger, one daughter- Amanda Berger with David, 4 sisters- Brenda, Valda, Valfina, and Amy, 6 grandchildren – Sydney, Aidden, Ruby, Lailani, Kinsley, and Joseph, and one on the way, Serayah.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, June 8th from 9:00 to 11:00am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Scripture services will be conducted at 10:45am by Pastor Kevin Kanagy. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
