Skook News Obituaries: June 20th, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Evelyn was born on November 28, 1934 to Alphonsus and Elizabeth (McGowan) Burke in New Philadelphia, PA.
Evelyn graduated from Blythe Township High School and the Ashland Hospital School of Nursing. She practiced her vocation as a Registered Nurse at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville, for Catholic Charities in Schuylkill County, and in numerous nursing homes in Shrewsbury, MA.
In addition to her parents, Evelyn was predeceased by husband Edmund A. Reiley Jr., and brothers Stanley Burke and Thomas Burke.
She is survived by sister Regina Shearn, Florida; brothers-in-law Robert J. Reiley, Maryknoll, NY, and John D.W. Reiley, Pottsville; sister-in-law Kathleen Reiley, Japan; son Robert A. Reiley and wife Elizabeth, Auburn, PA; daughters, Kathleen Keiler and husband Mark, Shrewsbury, MA, and Cecile Groder and husband Kelby, Salisbury, MA; and grandchildren Matthew, Samuel, Sarah, Audrey, Luke and Daniel, and Benjamin and Daniel; great grandchild Charles; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Evelyn was also a long time and active member of the Church of St. Patrick, Pottsville and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Shrewsbury, MA. She served those parishes and parishioners with love and joy as a volunteer in numerous capacities. She was a benefactor of many charitable organizations including DeSales University, the Dioceses of Allentown and Worcester, the Franciscan Order, and Maryknoll Missions.
Evelyn came from a lineage of strong, yet gentle, McGowan women from Furnace Hill, New Philadelphia. She adored her late husband Eddie, loved her family deeply, and was a model wife, mother, and friend. Evelyn was a woman of hospitality, always ready to cook a meal, make a sandwich, or pour a cup of tea whenever someone walked through her front door. She took an interest in the lives of those she encountered, whether grandchild, neighbor, or stranger. She gave her full attention to everyone she met, was always welcoming, and received others on their own terms. She was a homebody but had a heart open to the world.
Evelyn was quite squeamish of dogs and insects, and afraid of the dark. She looked forward to happy hour. She loved to read, pray, write cards and letters, and talk on the phone. She loved shopping. She never held a grudge. She has a weakness for potato chips. She always looked on the bright side of life.
Evelyn had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ and his church. She had a strong devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. She lived a fruitful life of humility, compassion, kindness, generosity, and gentleness. She had a peaceful death surrounded by her two daughters. She is now reunited with her husband Eddie, resting peacefully in the hopeful presence of God for eternity.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with family on Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 9:00 AM at the Lord Bixler Funeral Home 1818 Mahantongo St, Pottsville until the processional leaves for the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM that day at the Church of St. Patrick, 319 Mahantongo St, Pottsville with the Rev. Robert J. Reiley, M.M. and Msgr. Edward Zemanik, M. Div., presiding.
Interment will follow at Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Hillside, Pottsville.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations to be made in Evelyn’s name to the Nativity B.V.M. High School Scholarship Fund, One Lawton’s Hill, Pottsville, PA.
Lord Bixler Funeral Home, Pottsville is in charge of the local arrangements.
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Francis “Frank” W. Frankenstein, 76, of Minersville, passed away on Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Schuylkill – East.
Born in Pottsville on March 23, 1948, he was the son of the late William and Mary (Gogno) Frankenstein. He was raised in the New Street neighborhood of Norwegian Township and graduated from Pottsville High School in 1967. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and also served in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He worked as a machinist for Omnova Solutions, Auburn, until retiring.
The last of his siblings, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Kalovcak, Yvonne Price and Ann Marie Frankenstein.
Frank is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Virginia “Ginny” Wythe; their son, Keith Frankenstein, Minersville; nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment with military honors will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions to Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, 18 Wertz Drive, Pine Grove, PA 17963. Dutcavich Funeral Home has charge.
Francis “Frank” W. Frankenstein, 76, of Minersville, passed away on Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Schuylkill – East.
Born in Pottsville on March 23, 1948, he was the son of the late William and Mary (Gogno) Frankenstein. He was raised in the New Street neighborhood of Norwegian Township and graduated from Pottsville High School in 1967. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and also served in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He worked as a machinist for Omnova Solutions, Auburn, until retiring.
The last of his siblings, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Kalovcak, Yvonne Price and Ann Marie Frankenstein.
Frank is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Virginia “Ginny” Wythe; their son, Keith Frankenstein, Minersville; nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment with military honors will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions to Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, 18 Wertz Drive, Pine Grove, PA 17963. Dutcavich Funeral Home has charge.
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Born Friday, March 8, 1940 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late Ralph, and Mildred (Isgate) Wittig. Doris was also predeceased by her beloved husband John Wesley Kehlor on July 5, 2020; brother, Ralph J. Wittig Jr.
Surviving are; son, Scott W. Kehlor; sisters, Carol L. Braud, Margaret W. Lewis; grandson, Spencer Kehlor.
A graduate of Shenandoah High School, Doris matriculated to West Chester State Teachers College. Doris worked for the Tamaqua Area School system as a special education teacher at the West Penn School for many years. Doris earned her Masters from Penn State University.
Doris was especially known for the lovely, outstanding garden she created and maintained at her home on Lehigh Street in Tamaqua. The garden was featured in national newspapers and magazines. People traveled from afar to view Doris's garden and for she created lawn displays featuring all four seasons of the year.
Private arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery Tamaqua Pennsylvania.
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No one would disagree that Robert’s biggest passion in life was his love of dentistry, which he practiced for 69 years. He was active in multiple dental organizations including the American Dental Association from 1950-2023 where he served as Chairman of Finance, Chairman of Fundraising, and on the Board of Governors. He also served in several capacities for the 3rd District Dental Society of Pennsylvania including the Executive Committee, the Board of Governors, Vice President/President elect, Chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, President, Past President, and Secretary. As a member of the Panther Valley Dental Society, he served as Delegate for the Pennsylvania Dental Association from 1959-1994, all standing committees from 1955-2001, and the offices of President, Secretary, and Co-Chair of the endowment fund. Dr Jewells also was an instructor for dental assistants for the Schuylkill County Vo-Tech program. He served on the hospital staff of Coaldale State Hospital (now St Luke’s Miner’s Memorial Hospital) beginning in 1961. He was also instrumental in implementing dental accreditation for the hospital and served as chief of dental services caring for geriatric patients, performing dental surgery, and giving staff dental lectures. He participated in examinations for troops prior to their departure for active service in the Middle East. Due to his achievements and service, he was honored with a Fellowship in the International College of Dentists in 2001, USA division.
Other community service included Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce, and Tamaqua Lions Club where he served as the Treasurer and on the Sight Conservation Committee. He also served his church, St John’s Lutheran Church, where he was baptized and a long-standing member. He was a choir member, a Lay Delegate to the Synod, the Director for the Youth Group, a Congregational Council Member, a Sunday School Teacher, Master of Ceremonies for Pastor Recognition, and the Council and Congregational Secretary. He also served as a den father for the local mentally handicapped Boy Scout’s Troop. In addition to compassionate care and charitable efforts, he routinely provided free dental services as a member of the list of dentists for hardship patients, and performed dental services for farm goods or allowed people to work off their bill in his office so that the indigent could receive dental care. His gentle and easy-going nature put those around him, including the most anxious of patients and children at ease. Robert inherited his love of dentistry from his father, Robert W Jewells I, who practiced in Tamaqua at Jewells Dental Office at 132 East Broad Street prior to Robert. Jewells Dental was one of the longest-standing businesses in town. Robert begrudgingly retired in 2023 at the age of 94 as the oldest practicing dentist in the United States with a 69-year long career. The Tamaqua Historical Society plans to dedicate an area to remember his positive impact on the community with donated artifacts from his dental office.
Robert was passionate about his family, chess, and gardening. His religious faith guided him to help others and give when needed. He will be remembered for his quiet nature, his inner strength, and his intelligence while humbly giving those around him a hand up in life.
Above all, Robert built a beautiful family who will fondly remember his quick wit, compassion, and strong work ethic.
Robert is survived by his wife, Patricia Meeker Jewells of Winston Salem, NC; a son Michael V Jewells of Tamaqua; a daughter, Valerie Jewells Summers and her husband, John, of Durham, NC; a son, Alan Jewells and his wife, Lynda, of Winston-Salem, NC; and a sister, Joan Jewells Breitman of Baltimore, Maryland; five grandchildren, Morgan, Ben, Taylor, Alan, and Erin; and three great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Henry, and Evelyn; and numerous nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert W Jewells I DDS, and Helen Elizabeth Hefft Jewells; and two sisters, Alice Louise Jewells Miner and Helen Mignon Jewells.
Call from 6-8 PM on Sunday, June 23, at Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. Services will be private at the convenience of the family, and Robert will be laid to rest at a later date in Sky-View Memorial Park, Tamaqua. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Robert’s name may be made to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 Mauch Chunk Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Born Thursday, September 30, 1937 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Irvin, and Doris (Arner) Huegel. Fern was also predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, Russell Rudenko on January 22, 2020; sons, Todd Rudenko who passed away at 6 months of age, and Mark Rudenko on October 21, 2016; sister, Joyce M. Olencki on May 5, 2016; and brother, Stanley I. Huegel on April 29,
2000.
Surviving her are her son, Douglas Rudenko and his wife Mary Ellen of Hazleton; daughter, Deborah "Debbie" A. Rudenko of Tamaqua; grandchildren, Nicholas Rudenko and his wife Sarah, Julia, and Andrew; and great grandson Benjamin. Many nieces and nephews also survive Fern.
A member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tamaqua, Fern was a Tamaqua High School graduate, matriculating to Penn State Hazleton Campus, and the former St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Hazleton. As a young woman, Fern worked as a Lab Tech at the former Coaldale State Hospital until becoming a mother.
Family and friends could always be found at Fern’s home whether for a casual
conversation over a cup of coffee, a rousing game of pinochle, or a homemade piece of pie while being entertained by stories of the past.
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday June 25, 2024 at 11 o'clock A.M. from the funeral home. Friends may call from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services.
Interment will be in Sky-View Memorial Park, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in her name to:
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
109 Greenwood Street
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252
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Born in York, PA on May 23, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Alan Barton and Gladys (Rineholt) Emick and William Emick.
Lonnie was a graduate of Montoursville High School. She worked as a Unit Clerk at the Williamsport Hospital.
Lonnie loved cooking and reading cook books for new recipes, her cats, NASCAR, and dirt racing.
Lonnie is survived by her husband of 22 years, Lee Russell Reading; a sister Lauri Steinbacher and Barry; brothers: Brett Barton and Suzanne; and Brooke Barton and Lisa; nieces and nephews Erik Steinbacher, Erin (Steinbacher) Yonkin, Ryan Steinbacher, Jenna Barton, Ethan Barton, and Jordan Barton; and great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held privately.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.