Skook News Obituaries: August 17th, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Pottsville on September 26, 1937, he was a son of the late Kline S. & Blanche N. (Faust) Wernert. For 29 years, he was the loving husband of Eleanor Kalbach Wernert.
Charles was a 1955 graduate of Lansford High School. He completed his undergraduate work at Lebanon Valley College, and graduate work at Temple & Lehigh Universities.
Charles devoted his life's work to the special education field, first working as a special education teacher, and later as a school physiologist. He undertook the roles of special education supervisor, director of special education mediation and retired as director of special education. He had worked for Tioga, Potter, Carbon, & Northampton County Schools, and retired from Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29, Marlin, after many years of service. Charles hired countless staff members and had the innate ability to match staff to their best suited positions. He always encouraged staff to continue learning. The soul of Charles’ philosophy was “children comes first” and he was committed to the education and enrichment of the lives of exceptional children.
Charles served on the board for United Cerebral Palsy. He was the past president of PA Federation Council for Exceptional Children, PA Intermediate Unit Special Ed. Dir. Assoc., and Mid-Eastern Chapter Council for Exceptional Children. He also belonged to the American, PA, as well as Schuylkill County Assoc. of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, PA Psychological Assoc., & Council of Admin. of Special Education.
Charles was a faithful member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Summer Hill, Auburn, where he served as a Eucharistic server. He had attended statewide conferences and was the church's representative for the Schuylkill County Council of Churches.
He sang in the Schuylkill County Community Chorus. He loved attending the Pottsville & Hazleton Concerts. Charles was a little league and soccer coach, and also served as a soccer referee. He was a ham radio operator; his handle was "SilverFox". For years, Charles attended many many Penn State football games. Charles was an avid hunter and also loved spending time at his home in the mountains, Grandview Cottage.
In addition to his wife, Charles is also survived by his daughter, Ashley Wernert, of East Point, Michigan; son, Charles E. "Chad" Wernert II, of Schuylkill County; grandchildren: Riley Wernert, Bane Karout, Nathan & Erica Onorofsky, Cole, Seth, Luke & Liam Young, and extend family including Tracy, wife of Lee Onorofsky, of Kempton; & Heather, wife of Leo Young, of North Carolina.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Thursday, Aug. 22nd at Ebling-Stabingas Funeral Home, Cressona, at 7:30 PM with Rev. Marie Meeks officiating. A visitation will be held from 6 PM until the time of service.
The family prefers remembrances in the form of contributions to St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Summer Hill 1185 Summer Hill Road Auburn, PA 17922 or Special Olympics PA, 2158 Ave. C, Suite 201 Bethlehem PA 18017. Please add "Team Schuylkill" to the memo line of your check.
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Leonard J. Patinsky, Sr., 98, of Minersville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 17th, in Schuylkill Center, Pottsville.
Born in Minersville, on September 29, 1925, he was a son of the late Michael and Mary (Tokascz) Patinsky.
He was a 1943 graduate of Minersville High School.
Len proudly served his country in the Army Air Force in WW II from 1943-1947 as a 1st Lieutenant. He flew B-29 Bombers; was a co-pilot on 19 missions over Japan on aircraft “Overnight Bag”; served in the Pacific Arena on Tinian Island and also, flew practice missions with Paul Tibbetts, who flew the Enola Gay over Hiroshima.
Through the years he worked in New Jersey for Terminal Vending Company as a salesman for 30 years; drove school bus for children with special needs; and owned and ran his Charter Boat business out of Cape May, NJ, for 30 years doing fishing charters on weekends on the Nomad II.
Len was a lifelong member of The Mountaineers Fire Company in Minersville. He was an avid bowler and is in the South Jersey Bowling Hall of Fame, where he bowled (33) 300 games. He loved baseball and even tried out for the Phillies after high school. He umpired Little League games and was a huge Phillies and Dallas Cowboys fan. He and his companion, Lisa took many trips to Mexico and Florida with friends to enjoy successfully fishing for Marlin and Tuna.
In addition to his parents, Leonard was preceded by his partner, of 50 years, Lisa Adams, who died August 18, 2018; siblings: Anthony Jozsolt, Josephine Pavlock, Mildred Viduszynski, and Anna (Jean) Rhode.
He is survived by children: Donna, of FL; Lori, of Reading; Viki Torres, of Pottsville; and Leonard Patinsky, Jr., of Schuylkill Haven; and several nieces and nephews.
There will be no services as per Uncle Len’s wishes.
The family request contributions in Len’s memory be sent to: the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of arrangements.
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Born on June 3, 1934, in Joliett, he was a son of the late Francis A. Sr. and Mary Wolff Wiscount.
He was a 1952 graduate of Tremont High School.
Francis owned and operated Wiscount's Garage in Tower City since 1961.
He had been a former member of the Tower City Rotary.
Preceding him in death were two brothers, David Wiscount and Charles Wiscount, Sr., and a sister Patricia Fenedick.
Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Carole L. Neidlinger Wiscount; a daughter, LaRue and husband Kerry Troutman of Pine Grove; three sons, Paul and wife Lori Wiscount, Rob Wiscount and companion Beth Noll, both of Pine Grove, Francis III and wife Marie Wiscount of Hegins; 12 grandchildren, Jennifer, Faith, Francis IV, Gwen, Jill, Jolene, Elyse, Robbie Jr., Ryan, Amie, Shana, and Brianna; 16 great grandchildren, Liam, Lily, Spyro, Pano, Anastasia, Lyla, Terra, Grayson, Emersyn, Elaina, Wyatt, Myles, Haven, Kemper, Blake and Nathan; three sisters, Mary Scheib of Tremont, Linda Hummel of Bechtelsville, Roxanne Myers of Lock Haven; a brother, Dennis Wiscount of Tremont; nieces and nephews.
There will be a viewing on Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 9:30 A.M until 11:30 A.M. at the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, 113 Cherry St. Tremont, Pa. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:30 A.M. at the Most Blessed Trinity Parish with Father George Kochuparambil officiating. Interment will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, 113 Cherry St., Tremont, Pa. 17981 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements
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Born Saturday, January 26, 1935 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late Donald L., and Martha G. (Hughes) Wentz. Irene was also predeceased by; beloved husband, Thomas T. Edwards on December 5 2010; Infant son; sister, Gladys Bassett; brothers, Donald Wentz Jr., and George Wentz.
Surviving are daughters, Karen A. Campomizzi wife of John Orwigsburg, Janet L. Dove wife of Keith Schuylkill Haven; son, Thomas D. Edwards and companion Manuela A. Pina, Coaldale; sisters, Darlene Sfarra wife of Angelo New Ringgold, Mary Bensinger, Lititz; grandchildren, Lisa A. Carter and her husband Donald, John T. Campomizzi and his wife Janine, Matthew T. Dove and his wife Lauren, Megan E. Delpais and her husband Kyle, Thomas D. Edwards Jr.; 11 great grandchildren who affectionately
called her Big Grammy and Great Grammy. Ava Hufnagle; Paisley, Adalynn, and Bryce Delpais; Aiden Dove; Emily and Abigail Carter; and Jackie, Jessica, Jillian, and John Campomizzi.
A 1952 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Irene had worked at Tung-Sol in Weatherly for 19 years. An active member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tamaqua, Irene was an advisor to the Luther League, and taught Sunday school for 30 years. Irene was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Den Leader. Tom and Irene were avid campers.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Funeral Services Thursday August 22, 2024 at 10 o'clock A.M. from Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 109 North Greenwood Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.
Evening calling hours Wednesday August 21, 2024 at the funeral home from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in her name to:
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church
Pine & Mauch Chunk Streets
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252
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Ed was born in Shenandoah on December 31, 1937, a son of the late Anthony and Helen (Kelmalis) Opanel.
After graduating in 1955 from the Ringtown High School, he enlisted in the US ARMY, and actively served for three years before transferring to the Army Reserves, serving an additional five years. It was during this time his career with the federal government began, first as a guard for the US Army Disciplinary Barracks in New Cumberland, PA, then working for the US Department of Defense as a pattern fabricator for shoes and boots, retiring in 1992, for a total of 37 years of working with the federal government and military.
Ed was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ringtown, and a former member of the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ann (Sullivan) Opanel, and his daughter, Lisa, wife of Albert Idacavage of Ringtown. He is also survived by three granddaughters, Allyssa, Amanda and Rachel. A brother, Robert Opanel and his wife Marlene of Mechanicsburg also survives, as do nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, North Center Street, Ringtown, on Thursday, August 22, at 11 AM. A viewing will be held from 10 AM until the time of the mass at the church.
Ed will be laid to rest following military honors at St. Mary's Cemetery in Ringtown, immediately following the mass.
The Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home is assisting Ed's family during their time of need.
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She was born October 20, 1942, a daughter of the late Harry Crosland and Sarah (Quinn) Crosland.
She was a graduate of Nativity BVM High School.
Georgene was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
Georgene adored her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. She enjoyed outings with her friends that included long lunches and shopping trips. She was passionate about home décor and spent countless hours watching decorating shows and videos. She was never shy about offering her advice on décor.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas A. McPhillips, Sr.
Surviving are her two children, Thomas A. McPhillips, Jr., and his wife Janeyl and Kathleen McPhillips, all of Pottsville. Two grandchildren Quinn McPhillips, Pittsburgh, PA and Rileigh McPhillips, West Chester, PA. Also dear to her are Peter and Mary Moshinsky, brother-in-law and sister-in-law of Forest Grove, OR, nieces Cheryl and Judith, nephew Peter, and their families.
The family would like to thank the staff of 5 north at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill East and Lehigh Valley Hospice for the exceptional care and kindness given to Georgene while she was under their care.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 21, 11AM at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 10AM until the time of Mass. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville. The family would prefer contributions, in memory of Georgene, be made to the American Red Cross, Greater Pennsylvania Region, 2801 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
