Skook News Obituaries: August 27th, 2024
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born on November 19, 1954 in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Ira and Pearl Zimmerman Stump.
She was a 1972 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from West Chester State College in 1976.
Janet was a mathematics teacher before deciding to accept the call to prepare for deaconess ministry. During that time, she served as a Sunday School teacher, prayer circle coordinator and adult Bible study leader in a congregation.
She earned a Master of Arts degree with a concentration in pastoral care in 1987 from The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. She continued her deaconess training and served an internship in two ELCA congregations. A year later, she was appointed by the ELCA Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod to serve as parish deaconess at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pine Grove and was consecrated in 1995, continuing to serve there until the end of 2001. The following September she accepted a call to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saint John's, Pa. In the fall of 2012, the Deaconess Community of the ELCA elected Sister Janet Stump to serve a four-year term as its directing deaconess. She most recently served at St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church in Allentown until her retirement in 2023. She also attended Christ Church in Allentown.
Janet was truly a disciple of the Lord. She dedicated her life to her ministry and lived her faith. She saw her call "as an opportunity to serve the church as a whole, to help the Deaconess Community deepen its communal spirituality, grow in its effectiveness to do justice and make peace in the world, and joyfully continue to engage in its mission of proclaiming the gospel and serving all people in love, following the example of Jesus."
She was a loving sister, aunt and friend to all. She enjoyed music, art, nature, spending time outside, and walking.
Surviving are her brother, Carl Stump; two nieces, Lauren Stump and fiancé Mike Gilbert and Julie Stump and companion Graham Muhler, all of Pine Grove.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 312 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove with Pastors Sam Zeiser and Brian Beissel officiating. There will be a viewing on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 from 9:00 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. at the Church. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to ELCA World Hunger, P. O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009 in her memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements.
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Tom was born in Reading, PA on July 26, 1961, the son of the late Loretta M. (Erspamer) and Kenneth A. Behler.
He was the husband of the late Aida Behler. They were happily married for 40 years.
Tom earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Juniata College. He spent 40 years working at the family business, Behler Patterns, Inc. He was the owner/operator for the past 16 years.
He coached many of his children’s sports teams and enjoyed being a referee for baseball, softball, and basketball. As a hobby, he often did wood-working projects for family members.
He is survived by his daughter Erin, wife of Greg Fiorentino, son Andrew Behler, husband of Laura, and son Mark Behler, fiancé of Danielle Fundakowski. He was the loving grandfather to Clara, Caleb, Lydia, Jackson, and Adalynn.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, September 1st at 11 AM at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Orwigsburg. There will be a visitation from 9 AM until the time of service. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, PO Box #91891
Washington, D.C. 20090-1891 (or online at https://www.nationalmssociety.org), an organization supporting research for those battling multiple sclerosis.
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Born in Berwick, PA, she was a daughter of the late George and Mary E. Ficzere Kolet. She was a graduate of Berwick High School, class of 1946.
She worked in the admitting office at the local Hospital part time during her junior and senior years of high school. After graduation she worked for a while in Detroit at the Michigan Bell Telephone in the accounting department as a comptometer operator for about 1 ½ years. Then returned to Berwick and worked in the accounting department of the American Car and Foundry Company where her father and brother worked.
Helen was a woman of great faith and a devout member of the Catholic Church; she was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Dunedin, Fl and a former member St. David Catholic Church, Willow Grove, PA and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe, PA.
Helen enjoyed cooking and baking, travel, enjoying nature and exploring national parks, reading and listening to audiobooks, especially murder mysteries with cooking themes. She loved caring for her family and took pride in all her children’s accomplishments.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Leonard E. Gricoski, in 2007; a son; Leonard R. in 2018; daughter-in law Geralyn Gricoski; sisters; infant sister; Helen Kolet; Mary Naunczek; Anne Pintereich and Julie Felix; brothers; Stephen, George Kolet all of Berwick and Joseph Kolet, Dearborn, MI.
She is survived by her children Dr. Mary Keszler and husband Dr. Martin, North Kingstown, RI; Dr. Alice Ann Dachowski and husband Dr. Edward, Gallipolis, OH; Susan Worosz and husband Stanley, Little Egg Harbor, NJ; Janet Turn and husband Eric, Tampa, FL and John Gricoski and wife Tina, North Wales, PA; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother; Fred Kolet and wife Joan, Berwick, PA; several nieces and nephews
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Mary Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church, North Wales. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with family from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow in St John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont.
Donations can be made in Helen’s name to the St. Jospeh Indian School, 1301 N. Main St., Chamberlain, SD 57325
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Marsha F. (Hudson) Brennan, age 80, of Mahanoy City, passed away Tuesday morning at St. Luke's Hospice in Bethlehem.
Born in Shenandoah she was the daughter of the late Marshall & Melva (Eisenhower) Hudson and was a graduate of J.W. Cooper High School. Working two jobs at a time she had been employed by Morgan Knitting Mills, General Cigar, Rite Aid, Dollar General, Bargain Annies, the Village Inn and Angela's restaurants. Marsha was a hard worker all of her life and would help anyone and everyone. She loved yard sales and would go to them all with her buddy Diane D'Angelo. She was a very kind lady and was always looking to give things away.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband of 20 years William Brennan in 2017, a sister Diane Ivey and a brother Richard Hudson.
Survivors include her son Scott Hudson and his wife Diane of Barnesville, 2 brothers Russell Hudson and his wife Bonnie of N. Carolina, and Donald Hudson and his wife Mary of Leesport, a sister in law Alberta Hudson of Schuylkill Haven and in law Chick Trusky of Mahanoy City nieces and nephews William Hudson and family, Laurie Sanders and Family, Tom Ivey and Family, Ronnie Ivey and family and numerous great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her extended family who she dearly loved the Trusky's, the Kelly's and her neighbors Gage and Heather Soult and their families and the ladies from the 123 Cafe, her dog Prince and cat Whiskers.
Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation Saturday morning at David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City from 9 to 11 AM at which time a funeral procession will depart for St. Canicus Cemetery in Mahanoy Township where a brief religious service will be conducted.
Pastor Bob Schrepple will officiate.
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She was born on June 6, 1951, in Sacramento, a daughter of Wilmer and Jean Carl Gilbert.
Ginger was a graduate of Tri Valley High School Class of 1969 .
She was a CNA for 15 years at the former Susquehanna Lutheran Village, Millersburg.
Ginger enjoyed taking care of children, grandchildren, and her pets, always enjoyed talking to her friends on the phone.
In addition to her parents, Ginger was preceded in death by a son, Robert Kocher, and brother, Carl Gilbert.
She is survived by husband William Fishel, to whom she was married for 41 years.
Ginger is also survived by two sons, Erin and wife Kasey Kocher of Perkasie, PA, Jamie and wife Nikki Barge of Lykens; daughters, Karla Mace of Lykens; Tomi and husband Tim Beers of Valley View; brother, Lynn and wife Mary Gilbert of Herndon; 15 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and one on the way.
Services will be held at St. Paul's UCC, Sacramento, on Friday Sept 6, 2024, at 11AM, with Pastor Ray Holland officiating.
A visitation will be held from 10am until time of service at the church.
Burial will be made in St. Mark's Cemetery, Spring Glen.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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Patricia Ann Benner, 71, passed away Friday, August 23, 2024 at Tremont Health and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born on October 3, 1952, in Pottsville, a daughter of John R and Shirley M (Zeplin) Benner.
Pat attended Tri- Valley High School.
She was an Assembler for United Cerebal Palsy of Pottsville and was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Pottsville.
Pat enjoyed reading, crafts, swimming, and traveling.
She was preceded in death by her father, John R Benner, mother, Shirley M Benner, sister, Donna Deibler, brother, Frank Benner.
She is survived by sister, Kathryn Nork of Delaware; brother, William Benner of Maryland; three nieces and three nephews.
Burial will be in Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Coaldale, he was the son of the late Robert, Sr., and Elizabeth (Schmauch) Hirsch. A 1969 Graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, Dane received a Bachelor of Arts from Bloomsburg State College and a Master of Arts from Bloomsburg University. A veteran of the United State Air Force who served honorably during the Vietnam War, Dane taught for thirty plus years at Harford County Public School system and had previously received the Teacher of the Year Award from The Future Business Leaders of America. He was a member of The American Legion Joseph L. Davis Post 47, Havre de Grace, the Friends of Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre de Grace, and St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tamaqua. Dane had a love of traveling and had a passion for history, especially Civil War history.
He is survived by a brother, Robert Hirsch, Jr. and his companion Jann of Cressona; three sisters, Eileen and her husband Ed Kester of Tamaqua, Donna and her husband Glenn Krapf of Baltimore, Maryland, and Lisa and her husband Rick Campbell of South Williamsport, Pennsylvania; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Hirsch of Berwick, Pennsylvania; nieces and nephews, Matthew, Sarah, Adam, Josh, Laurann, Christopher, Karl, Jr., TraciLee, Brent, Kristina, Lauren, Isaac, Ricky, and Zachary; great nieces, Mykaela, Madisyn, and beloved Aubri.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Gene Hirsch, who died in 2019, and Karl Hirsch, who died in July of this year.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua.
A graveside service at Odd Fellows Cemetery, 503 West Broad Street, Tamaqua with military honors rendered will follow. Call Saturday from 9 to 11 AM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Tamaqua American Legion Honor Guard, 206 West Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pa 18252.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Born July 15, 1939, in Branchdale, PA, she was the daughter of the late Elmer Huntzinger Sr. and Alma Youst Huntzinger. She was preceded in death by her late husband of over 61 years, Robert F. "Bob" Hubler. She was a graduate of the former Cass Township High School, Primrose. She was employed by multiple companies throughout her life, including most recently at Boscov's, where she worked faithfully until the age of 77 years old, enjoying lots of laughs with her coworkers. Elaine was a longtime resident of Phoenix Park, where she raised her family. She was a longtime member of the Phoenix Park Union Church, Branch Township. She enjoyed reading, viewing various birds at her feeder on her deck, the company of her many neighbors and their grandchildren, traveling to National Parks with her family, and visiting her family in Florida and California. Later in life, she appreciated the occasional visitor, phone call, or card in the mail. The most important thing in Elaine's life was family. She loved to spend time with her children, and especially her grandchildren, as well as her beloved grand-puppy, Newt, and her furry companions from New York City, Roxy and Lulu.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Elmer Huntzinger Jr., formerly of Branchdale, and Lamar "Butch" Huntzinger, formerly of Hollister, CA; and a great grandchild, Camilla Grace Gonzalez. She was also preceded in death by her best friend of over 60 years, Catherine Creighton.
She is survived by four sons, Robert J. (husband of Barbara), Sanford, FL; Jeffrey (husband of JoAnn Burke), Branch Township; Gregory S. (longtime companion of Deanna Delinko-Miller), Pottsville; and Rick, Phoenix Park; grandchildren Jordan Hubler, Davenport, FL; Cheslea Gonzalez (husband of Jose), Sanford, FL; Seth and Devin Hubler, both of Branch Township; four great-grandchildren, Gabrielle, Yarissa, and Jackson Gonzalez, and Emilia Mendez, all of Sanford, FL, and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins.
Elaine will be remembered as someone who was committed to her family and friends, and who lived by the values of hard work, helpfulness, respect, and most importantly, empathy. She was loved by all those who knew her.
A Funeral Service will be held Saturday,10:30 am at the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home with Pastor George Somers officiating. All are respectfully invited to attend a visitation with calling hours from 9:00 to the time of service. Interment will be at the Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Elaine's memory be sent to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 . Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc. is entrusted with arrangements.
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John P. Gaughan, 86, of McAdoo, passed away Monday morning at Greenwood Nursing Center, Hometown.
Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Michael and Mary (Lukatch) Gaughan.
John was a member of Church of All Saints, McAdoo.
He was U.S. Air Force veteran and served in the Korean War.
Prior to retiring, John was employed as a mechanic at Beltrami Enterprises.
He was a former commander of the McAdoo American Legion. John was also a member of the McAdoo VFW Post 6708 and a life-member of the McAdoo Fire Co.
John enjoyed his Sunday Polkas and Sunday afternoon car rides. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was the best “Pop Pop” to all.
Preceding him in death were his son, Thomas J. Gaughan, Sr., brother, Michael Gaughan, and sister, Cecilia King.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Helen (Jesky) Gaughan; sons, John P. Jr. and wife Patty; Mark and partner Millie; David and partner Lynne; Michael and wife Charlotte; daughter, Donna Kolbush and husband Carl; 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sally Rebarchick and husband James, and Rose Jevit and husband Rich; and nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Tuesday, September 3, at 10 a.m. in Church of All Saints, McAdoo. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, McAdoo.
The Damiano Funeral Home Inc., McAdoo, is assisting the family.
Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Michael and Mary (Lukatch) Gaughan.
John was a member of Church of All Saints, McAdoo.
He was U.S. Air Force veteran and served in the Korean War.
Prior to retiring, John was employed as a mechanic at Beltrami Enterprises.
He was a former commander of the McAdoo American Legion. John was also a member of the McAdoo VFW Post 6708 and a life-member of the McAdoo Fire Co.
John enjoyed his Sunday Polkas and Sunday afternoon car rides. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was the best “Pop Pop” to all.
Preceding him in death were his son, Thomas J. Gaughan, Sr., brother, Michael Gaughan, and sister, Cecilia King.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Helen (Jesky) Gaughan; sons, John P. Jr. and wife Patty; Mark and partner Millie; David and partner Lynne; Michael and wife Charlotte; daughter, Donna Kolbush and husband Carl; 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sally Rebarchick and husband James, and Rose Jevit and husband Rich; and nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Tuesday, September 3, at 10 a.m. in Church of All Saints, McAdoo. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, McAdoo.
The Damiano Funeral Home Inc., McAdoo, is assisting the family.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
