Skook News Obituaries: January 11th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Margaret M. Purcell, 75, of Lake Wynonah, formerly of Pleasantville, NY passed away on Saturday while at Orwigsburg Center Nursing Home.
Born in the Catskills, she was the daughter of the late John and Grace Robinson Halcott.
Margaret was a graduate of Hicksville High School in New York. She then went on to obtain her associate’s degree and worked as a legal secretary throughout her life.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Grace, John, and Charles Halcott.
Margaret is survived by her husband of 47 years, Owen P. Purcell and their son John “Jack” Purcell. She is also survived by her brothers; Michael and James Halcott.
A viewing will be held on Thursday at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Interment will be held at a later date at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com.
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Born in Pottsville, December 23, 1941, she was a daughter of the late William and Edna (Gracely) Hoehn.
She was a 1959 graduate of the St. Clair Area High School.
Barbara began her career as an employee of the Pennsylvania Bank & Trust Company, performing teller, typing, and shorthand duties. On evenings and weekends, she worked for Albert Padfield & Son Plumbing & Heating assisting in billing, estimating, and clerical work where she met the love of her life, David Padfield. They were married in February of 1963 and along with her father-in-law, Albert, continued the operation and expansion of the business through the 70’s until its incorporation in 1981 to Padfield Plumbing & Heating where she served as secretary, treasurer, and vice president until her retirement in 2015. She also served as secretary and treasurer of Padfield Propane LLC from 2009 to 2015.
As an excellent business woman, wife, and mother, she managed to answer 3 office doors, telephone, dispatch servicemen, pull and post fuel oil delivery tickets (by the Mary Ann & degree day system) manage accounts payable and receivable and still find time to put a hot meal on the table and be a loving mother to her son, Dean, and caring wife to her husband, David.
After retirement, she continued to assist office personnel, Jim Clock, Michelle Lorman, and Krissy Zaharis in the operation of both corporations.
Barbara enjoyed dancing, going on walks, family picnics, road trips, camping, and most recently getting to spend time with her granddaughter.
She will be deeply missed by her close family, office staff, and employees of Padfield’s.
She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, St. Clair.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David Padfield, in 2012.
Surviving are son Dean Padfield and his wife Jessica of St. Clair; a granddaughter Danica Padfield; and a sister Elizabeth Greenback of St. Clair.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday from Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street St. Clair, PA 17970 with Rev. Jennie Stauch officiating.
Friends may call from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Tuesday and 10:00-11:00 AM Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. John UCC Memorial fund. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, St. Clair. Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent to http://www.brucethartfuneralhome.com.
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Born in West Penn Township Thursday, March 3, 1927 the daughter of the late Charles and Alberta (Stahler) Steigerwalt.
Melva was also predeceased by; husband, Edward L. Dunn Sr.; sisters, Kathryn Brittan, Mildred Faust; brothers, John, Kermit, Marvin, and Melvin Steigerwalt.
Surviving are her son, Edward Dunn Jr. and his wife Gail, daughters, Sharon Soderburg and her husband Carl, Deborah Salmestrelli wife of Jerome; 4 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren.
She was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and a member of the Tamaqua congregation. Melva was a homemaker who enjoyed antiquing and gardening.
Private arrangements entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960.
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Janis was born on Thursday, February 16, 1950, a daughter of the late James and Violet Shuttlesworth Stinner.
She was a 1968 graduate of Williams Valley High School where she will be remembered as a standout basketball player.
Janis worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a short time. She then dedicated her life as being a stay at home wife and mom to her family.
She was an avid reader and could often be found at the Northern Dauphin Library. She enjoyed doing jig saw puzzles and followed high school sports, especially girls basketball when her daughter played. Janis also was a softball coach with Williamstown girl's town ball team from 1987-1992. She held a special place in her heart for her dogs, Peppy, Shadow, and Zoe.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Dennis F. Betz; her daughter, Kristine Betz, Williamstown.
Janis will be laid to rest privately in the Fairview Cemetery, Williamstown with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City is honored to serve the Betz family.
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Born in Duncott, she was a daughter of the late William and Verna Shepler
Jefferson.
She was a 1952 graduate of Minersville High School. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Minersville and was retired from the Rohm and Haas Co. in Bristol, a plastic and chemical company.
She was preceded n death by her husband Charles Andrews; 2 sisters, Catherine Brilla and Jean Kuehn; and 7 brothers, Harold, Robert, Leroy, Oliver, Harry, Charles and Carl.
Mae is survived by 2 nieces, Mary Beth Reta and her husband Thomas and Michelle Evans; numerous great nices and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held Monday at 11AM at the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, 328 Sunbury St., Minersville. Relatives and friends can call at the Funeral Home on Monday from 9AM until the time of the service. Interment will be in Mt. Peace Cemetery, Minersville.
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She graduated from the former Mahanoy City High School Class of 1956 and was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Church, Minersville.
Upon graduation, she worked at ACME Market in Mahanoy City where she met her husband, Paul. Shortly after they were married, Pat and Paul moved to Shoemakersville where they began to raise their family. Pat then started a career as a nursing aide and worked in several places, including the Hamburg State School and Hospital where she developed her servant heart for those in need.
Late in 1969, the family re-located to the Pottsville/ Minersville area, where she eventually honed her well-known cooking skills. She cooked food for Church functions, festivals, and made lunches for the students and faculty at Immaculate Heart Catholic School in Girardville. She was affectionately known as the “Pierogi Lady” and the “Holy Roller of Halupki.”
Pat was known for always smiling and was a great conversationalist. She made everyone feel like a close friend or family member. No one left her company feeling hungry as cooking was one of her true passions.
Another of her passions, and some would say her Number 1 Passion, was being the biggest fan and cheerleader for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended as many of their games as she was able and loved to talk to them about her Polish Heritage, teach them prayers and songs in Polish, as well as, teaching them to cook several Polish foods.
She was a woman of great faith and devotion. She was the prayer warrior for her family and friends. She was an avid sports enthusiast of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, and Penn State Football which also contributed to her many rosary and prayer requests.
Pat was the wife of Paul M. Squierdo for 62 years. She is survived by her 2 sons, Michael (wife Mary Theresa), Lititz and Thomas (wife Sherry), Pine Grove; and daughter, Maria Monderewicz, Minersville; 3 grandchildren, Theresa Stritch (wife of Jim), Paul Squierdo (husband of Catherine), and Matthew Monderewicz; her 7 great-grandchildren Collin, Ryan, Logan and Aidan Stritch, and Emily, Paul and Andrew Squierdo; She is also survived by her sister, Pamela Wand, and brother and sister in-law, Bill and Theresa Zelonis and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday morning January 14th, at 11 AM in St. Michael the Archangel Church, 538 Sunbury St., Minersville, PA. Relatives and friends may call at the church on Tuesday morning from 10 AM until the time of the service. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
In memory of Patricia and in lieu of flowers, the family would prefer remembrances and contributions to the favorite charities that were close to her heart:
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, Office of Development and Mission Advancement, 450 St. Bernardine Street, Reading, PA 19607 and/or to Sisters of Saint Joseph, Saint Joseph Guild, P.O. Box 36, Flourtown, PA 19031-0036. Arrangements are by the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, 328 Sunbury St., Minersville.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance
