Skook News Obituaries: June 11th, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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She was born on Sunday, May 2, 1965, at the former Ashland Hospital, a daughter of Levi and Helen Carl Miller.
Mary attended Tri Valley High School.
She was formerly employed as a Production worker for MI, Gratz.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by a sister Helen Bixler.
She is survived by her companion Jeffery Bixler of 37 years.
Mary is also survived by three sons, Nathan, and wife Rebecca Bixler, Klingerstown; Timothy and wife Christina Bixler, Spring Glen; Jeffery and Tracey Bixler, Herndon; brother, Ricky Miller of Shamokin; two sisters, Patricia Miller of Lavelle; Cathy and husband Lewis Weaver of Dalmatia; ten grandchildren, Nathan Jr., Declan, Levi, Benjamin, Haven, Mackenzie, Timothy Jr., Tiana, Jeffery, Jr., and Wyatt.
Services will be held at Buffington Reed Funeral Home on Saturday June 15, 2024, at 11am with Rev. Curt Zemencik officiating.
A viewing will be held from 10am until time of service at the funeral home.
Burial will be made in St. Peter's Cemetery, Fearnot.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Pottsville on December 31, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Stock.
Carolee was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School and was a member of Bethesda Evangelical Congregational Church of Reedsville.
She cherished spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, enjoyed dancing, spending time at her pool, gardening, going to and hosting yard sales, and also served as a constable.
She is survived by her son, Mike Endres and Andrea Sovari; grandchildren, James Long and his wife Tessa, Andrew Long and his wife Kimberly, and Preston Endres; and great-grandchildren, Andi and Ginny Long.
In addition to her parents, Carolee is preceded in death by her daughter, Andrea Long.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 14th at Ebling Stabingas Funeral Home, Cressona. A visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service.
Interment will be private at the family's convenience.
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Fredrick L. Koch, 71, of Shenandoah, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest Hospital in Allentown surrounded by his family.
Born in Shenandoah on November 30, 1952, he was the son of the late Fredrick and Eva (Petrock) Koch.
Fred was a 1970 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah. He served in the United States Army. Fred earned his degree in Computer Science from Virginia College. While he served in the Army, he did the payroll for the U.S. Government. During his career, he was a driver for F.L. Koch Trucking and later owner. He then worked as a logistics manager for several companies.
Outside of work, Fred was a member of the A.P. Damato American Legion Post in Shenandoah and the Shenandoah Archery Club. He loved hunting, fishing, Nascar racing, and camping. He was also a collector of antique cars. For family events and holidays, he was Chef Tell because of his love of cooking. His favorite pastime since his retirement was caring for stray cats as he would often visit and make donations to the SPCA. His favorite pet cat, Tiger, of 18 years, recently passed away.
His surviving family includes his wife of 50 years, Rosemary (Chatkiewicz) Koch, his son- Fredrick Koch III with Ma’rie Haarala of Alabama, his sister- Karen Souchuck with her husband Glenn – Frackville, his granddaughter- Ava Rose Koch, along with nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, June 13th from 9:00 to 10:30am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Liturgy will held at 11:00am in St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Shenandoah by Msgr. Myron Grabowsky. Burial with military honors will take place at 2:00pm in Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa.
Ronald M. Serfass, 64, of Auburn, passed away Monday, June 10th, at home.
Born in Bethlehem on June 25, 1959, he was the son of Melvin Serfass, of Auburn and the late Lois (Horvath) Serfass.
Ronald was the husband of Cathy (Hassler) Serfass to whom he was married 38 years.
He graduated from Bethlehem High School in 1977.
Ronald was employed as a supervisor and production manager at the Morning Call, Allentown for 42 years.
He was a member of the Strausstown Rod and Gun Club and Summit Station Fire Company.
Ronald enjoyed golfing, riding motorcycles, boating, and spending time outdoors. He loved his dogs and was an avid Raiders fan.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Michael Serfass of Lancaster; a daughter, Tiffany Steigerwalt, wife of Chris, of Lehighton; G-man to Landan and Brielle Steigerwalt; sisters, Margaret Serfass, fiancee of Mark Hassler, Donna Plunkett and friend, Stephanie Lukanoski; niece, Brianna Holmes, wife of Jaroby, and their children Jayton and Kai, of Allentown; nephew, Brett Knerr husband of April, and their son Declan; sister in law, Tammie Caruso, wife of Carl; brother in law, James Hassler.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 13th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until the time of the service.
Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery, Allentown.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Hillside SPCA P.O. Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901.
Harold W. Berkheiser, 93, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Monday, June 10th, at home, surrounding by family.
Born in Summit Station on October 8, 1930, he was the son of the late Lillie E. (Rhine) and William D. Berkheiser.
Harold was the husband of Joan E. (Reidler) Berkheiser, to whom he was married 68 years.
He was a 1948 graduate of Cressona High School.
Harold was a farmer for most of his life. He was also employed at Richard Kreager Farms, a school bus driver, a welder at SteccoTrailors and retired from Sire Power, Inc.
He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ Summer Hill. He was also a member of the Schuylkill County Agriculture Museum, Farm Bureau, Pine Grove Grundsow Lodge, and Blue Mountain Young Farmers.
Harold is survived by a son, Harold R. Berkheiser, husband of Janis, of Lebanon; two daughters, Karen Berkheiser, and Linda, wife of Frank Honyara, both of Schuylkill Haven. He is also survived by grandchildren, Aaron Honyara, Evan Berkheiser and wife Christy, Kaitlyn Miele and husband Cody; great grandchildren, Olive Berkheiser and Dutch Miele; sisters, Jean Griffith and Carol Boyer, wife of Donald; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Harold is preceded in death by a brother, Russell Berkheiser.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 14th at St. Paul's United Church of Christ Summer Hill, Auburn with Rev. Kenneth McDowell officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:30 until the time of the service.
Interment will follow at Summer Hill Cemetery, Auburn.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Schuylkill County Agricultural Museum Farm P.O. Box 272 Summit Station, PA 17979 or St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 1235 Summer Hill Rd. Auburn, PA 17922.
Ryan A. Bohr, 25, of Tremont, passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2024 in Reilly Twp.
Born on July 4, 1998 in Lebanon, he was a son of Sara Bohr of Tremont.
He attended Pine Grove Area High School.
He enjoyed football and hunting.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are a son, Jaxson Bohr, a daughter, RenLeigh Bohr, both of Mahanoy City; a brother, Johnathan Bohr of Tremont; maternal grandparents, Brian and LuAnn Fenstermacher Bohr of Pine Grove; his great grandmother, Mary Lou Fenstermacher of Pine Grove; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Services will not be held at this time.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, is in charge of arrangements.
Barry George Storch, Sr. aged 79, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Tuscarora, PA on June 7, 2024. He was the husband of the late Ruthann (Baddick) Storch who passed away in 2019.
Barry was born in Tamaqua, PA, the son of George A. and Anna (Matalavage) Storch. A 1962 Tamaqua High School graduate, he also went on to graduate from East Stroudsburg State College. Barry was a program writer, who was employed by the Office of Economic Opportunity and worked for the Borough of Tamaqua Housing Program. He was an avid sportsman, who hunted in Alberta, Canada and Alaska. Barry was also known for shooting darts in Tamaqua dart leagues.
Surviving are two sons; John Storch and wife Margaret of Boiling Spring, PA, and son, Barry Storch, Jr. and companion, Jennifer Johnson of Etters, PA. Brother, William Storch and wife Maxine of Lebanon, PA. Four Grandchildren, Tyler Storch and wife Meredith of Voorhees, NJ, Aaron Storch and wife Nicole of Loysville, PA, Makenna Storch of Lehighton, PA and Ryan Storch of Etters, PA. A niece, Anne (Storch) Killeen and husband Patrick of Phoenixville, PA.
Private interment to be held at a later date.
Private interment to be held at a later date.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services., Tamaqua.
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Born in Shenandoah on November 30, 1952, he was the son of the late Fredrick and Eva (Petrock) Koch.
Fred was a 1970 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah. He served in the United States Army. Fred earned his degree in Computer Science from Virginia College. While he served in the Army, he did the payroll for the U.S. Government. During his career, he was a driver for F.L. Koch Trucking and later owner. He then worked as a logistics manager for several companies.
Outside of work, Fred was a member of the A.P. Damato American Legion Post in Shenandoah and the Shenandoah Archery Club. He loved hunting, fishing, Nascar racing, and camping. He was also a collector of antique cars. For family events and holidays, he was Chef Tell because of his love of cooking. His favorite pastime since his retirement was caring for stray cats as he would often visit and make donations to the SPCA. His favorite pet cat, Tiger, of 18 years, recently passed away.
His surviving family includes his wife of 50 years, Rosemary (Chatkiewicz) Koch, his son- Fredrick Koch III with Ma’rie Haarala of Alabama, his sister- Karen Souchuck with her husband Glenn – Frackville, his granddaughter- Ava Rose Koch, along with nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, June 13th from 9:00 to 10:30am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Liturgy will held at 11:00am in St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Shenandoah by Msgr. Myron Grabowsky. Burial with military honors will take place at 2:00pm in Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa.
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Ronald M. Serfass, 64, of Auburn, passed away Monday, June 10th, at home.
Born in Bethlehem on June 25, 1959, he was the son of Melvin Serfass, of Auburn and the late Lois (Horvath) Serfass.
Ronald was the husband of Cathy (Hassler) Serfass to whom he was married 38 years.
He graduated from Bethlehem High School in 1977.
Ronald was employed as a supervisor and production manager at the Morning Call, Allentown for 42 years.
He was a member of the Strausstown Rod and Gun Club and Summit Station Fire Company.
Ronald enjoyed golfing, riding motorcycles, boating, and spending time outdoors. He loved his dogs and was an avid Raiders fan.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Michael Serfass of Lancaster; a daughter, Tiffany Steigerwalt, wife of Chris, of Lehighton; G-man to Landan and Brielle Steigerwalt; sisters, Margaret Serfass, fiancee of Mark Hassler, Donna Plunkett and friend, Stephanie Lukanoski; niece, Brianna Holmes, wife of Jaroby, and their children Jayton and Kai, of Allentown; nephew, Brett Knerr husband of April, and their son Declan; sister in law, Tammie Caruso, wife of Carl; brother in law, James Hassler.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 13th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until the time of the service.
Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery, Allentown.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Hillside SPCA P.O. Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901.
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Born in Summit Station on October 8, 1930, he was the son of the late Lillie E. (Rhine) and William D. Berkheiser.
Harold was the husband of Joan E. (Reidler) Berkheiser, to whom he was married 68 years.
He was a 1948 graduate of Cressona High School.
Harold was a farmer for most of his life. He was also employed at Richard Kreager Farms, a school bus driver, a welder at SteccoTrailors and retired from Sire Power, Inc.
He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ Summer Hill. He was also a member of the Schuylkill County Agriculture Museum, Farm Bureau, Pine Grove Grundsow Lodge, and Blue Mountain Young Farmers.
Harold is survived by a son, Harold R. Berkheiser, husband of Janis, of Lebanon; two daughters, Karen Berkheiser, and Linda, wife of Frank Honyara, both of Schuylkill Haven. He is also survived by grandchildren, Aaron Honyara, Evan Berkheiser and wife Christy, Kaitlyn Miele and husband Cody; great grandchildren, Olive Berkheiser and Dutch Miele; sisters, Jean Griffith and Carol Boyer, wife of Donald; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Harold is preceded in death by a brother, Russell Berkheiser.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 14th at St. Paul's United Church of Christ Summer Hill, Auburn with Rev. Kenneth McDowell officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:30 until the time of the service.
Interment will follow at Summer Hill Cemetery, Auburn.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Schuylkill County Agricultural Museum Farm P.O. Box 272 Summit Station, PA 17979 or St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 1235 Summer Hill Rd. Auburn, PA 17922.
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Born on July 4, 1998 in Lebanon, he was a son of Sara Bohr of Tremont.
He attended Pine Grove Area High School.
He enjoyed football and hunting.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are a son, Jaxson Bohr, a daughter, RenLeigh Bohr, both of Mahanoy City; a brother, Johnathan Bohr of Tremont; maternal grandparents, Brian and LuAnn Fenstermacher Bohr of Pine Grove; his great grandmother, Mary Lou Fenstermacher of Pine Grove; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Services will not be held at this time.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, is in charge of arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.