Skook News Obituaries: January 6th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Cuba on April 25, 1970, he was the son of Irma Hernandez, Cuba. He is also survived by his step father, Carlos Martinez.
Eduardo was a hard worker and enjoyed working with Blue Crúe Tree Service, Pottsville, who he considered family.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and going out to eat. He always enjoyed a good meal with family and friends.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his fiànce, Amy Schlegel, a son, Gabriel, a sister, Licet Leguen, two brothers, Carlito and Fernando Lara, several nices and nephews, and his future in laws, Janice and Larry Wing.
A private gathering will be held at the convenience of the family. Cremation services have been entrusted to Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville.
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The Very Reverend Luke Anderson,O.Cist, was born in New York City in 1927 to John and Nora (Conway) Anderson. He was the eldest of four children.
After attending New York City schools, he entered the Saint Louis de Montfort Seminary in Bay Shore, Long Island and in 1944 matriculated at Columbia University.
He joined the Cistercian Order in 1948 at Our Lady of the Valley, Valley Falls, Rhode Island. He pronounced his solemn vows in 1953 at the relocated monastery, Saint Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, Massachusetts and was ordained there in 1954.
Father Luke earned his Ph.L. and his Ph.D in Philosophy at the Angelicum
(Saint Thomas University) in Rome and a Masters in Theology from Princeton. He was an international lecturer, published two books and numerous monographs on medieval and Cistercian texts. He was a visiting professor at several prestigious US universities.
Father Luke was a member of the Board of Directors and Board of Educators for Cistercian publications at Western Michigan University and an active participant for over three decades in the International Congress of Medieval Studies.
He was also a member of The National Association of Scholars, The Fellowship of Catholic Scholars and The Calvin Studies Society.
Father Luke was trained and certified in Clinical Pastoral Education at Allentown State Hospital and ministered there.
Over the years, he conducted retreats for priests, religious and laity. He traveled and worked for over 25 years with Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her nuns.
He was the founding Prior of Saint Mary's Monastery in New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.
He spent the last three years of his life at the Villa for Priests in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Father Luke is survived by his sister, Annmarie of Port Jefferson, New York and many nieces, nephews.
An afternoon visitation will be held at the Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home, Inc., Orwigsburg from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday January 10th.
On Saturday January 11th at 11:00 AM a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, with the Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown, officiating. A viewing will be held in the church from 10:00 AM until Mass begins at 11:00.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Holy Family Villa for Priests, 1325 Prospect Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
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Ronald George Sverchek, age 76, of Port Carbon, PA passed away Sunday, January 5th, 2025 at Lehigh Valley Hospital,Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Born in Coaldale, PA on April 16, 1948, he was the son of the late John and Veronica (Palsha) Sverchek.
Ron was a graduate of Marion High School, Class of 1966. He then graduated with Honors from the University of Scranton with a Bachelors Degree in Business. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War July 1970 till January 1972. Ron retired in February 2020 as an investigator for PA Public Defenders Office.
Ron is survived by two daughters: Elissa Sverchek and Renee McGeoy and her husband Tom; six grandchildren: Branden Fanelli, Ryan Sverchek and his wife Hannah, Mya McGeoy, Maci McGeoy, Brady Sverchek, and T.J. McGeoy; a great granddaughter Khaleesi Joy Sverchek; three brothers: Jack, Robert, and Mark and his wife Anne Sverchek; a sister Elizabeth Ann Baddick; and nieces and nephews.
A Religious Service will be held at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon at 7PM on Thursday, January 9th, with Deacon John Setlock officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing on Thursday evening from 5-7PM at the Funeral Home.
Interment with Military Honors will be held at a later date at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.
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He was born August 8,1947, a son of the late John and Anna (Sinko) Leshko. He was the widower of Dolores Anne (Kowalchick) Leshko. Joe was a 1965 graduate of Minersville Area Joint High School.
He joined the US Army and served three years, of which sixteen months were during the Vietnam war in the cities of Ban Me Thuot, Saigon, Nha Trang, Ben Thuy and Cam Rahn Bay, where he worked in communications with microwave radio. He was wounded during an enemy ambush and he declined the purple heart for his injuries. He was Honorably discharged as a Sergeant from his last base in Fort Riley Kansas in 1969.
On May 24, 1969 he married his best friend, since they were 4 years old, Dolores Kowalchick, and remained married for 45 years until her passing in 2014. Together they raised three children Michaeline, Jeremy and Martina. He was a hard worker and good provider. Putting family first and always putting their needs before his own. Joseph was the caregiver to his wife during the time of illness before her death in January of 2014.
A man of strong faith and a life-long member of Ss. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church of Minersville, and of the Greek Catholic Union. He was a devoted church goer who was possibly self-appointed with ringing of the bells from the choir during many masses throughout the years. A job he took very seriously. During the pandemic, he took to the internet to “attend” mass weekly to a few churches that would broadcast their services online.
As a grandfather, he beamed with pride watching his grandchildren achieve their many accomplishments on and off the field. He enjoyed attending all the baseball, football, and soccer games to cheer them on. He went by many names: Joe, Dad, Pappy, Pop and Poppy. We will miss his stories of yesteryear and history lessons, even if his recollections weren’t always historically accurate. He had the presence of a giant with a heart of gold. Always willing to help anyone in need.
His “bark” was far worse than his bite. Everyone who knew Joe, and he knew everyone, whether it was from work, buddies from “back in the day” or from casual meetings on the street or in the grocery store, probably has a good story or two tell about him.
Frequently found at Tony’s Market for their lunch specials on almost a daily basis. He was treated like family by Tony, and “his girls” who lovingly called him Papa Joe.
The only thing Joe liked more than eating a good baked treat, was giving them to family and friends. He was a generous giver of his baking, often recruiting his daughter Michaeline and son Jeremy as his assistants. His signature paska bread, nutrolls and a variety of cakes are well known around town. His children have vowed to him to keep baking his favorites and carrying on the traditions to pass down to the next generation.
He is survived by his daughters, Michaeline Matz, and Martina, wife of Ryan Buffington, a son, Jeremy Leshko. Brothers Michael and Charles Leshko. His sisters, AnnMarie Yacobacci and Julianne Yesalusky. Grandchildren; Elizabeth, Madeline, Julia, Colby, Harmon, Charlotte, and Nathan, as well as a Great grandchild Nilsa.
All are respectfully invited to attend a Visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, January 13, at the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc.
The Office of Christan Burial with Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 10:00 am Tuesday the 14th at Ss. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Minersville, with the Very Reverend Gegory J. Noga celebrant.
Interment with Military Honors Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donation made in Joe’s name to Ss. Peter & Paul Memorial Fund. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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Bryan L. McShaw, 62, of Saint Clair, passed away Monday, December 30th, at LVHN East, Pottsville.
Bryan was born in Pottsville, Pa. on October 9, 1962, a son of the late Dorothy (Leach) and Patrick McShaw. He was the widower of Christine (Hargraves) McShaw.
He is survived by Elaine McShaw, Tressa Beury, John Halus, TJ Lecher, Adam Jamison, Kevin Hargrave, Joseph Powanda, Stacie Powanda. A sister, Deb Brown, brothers, Patrick, Tony, Steven, Robert and David McShaw. Numerous grandchildren.
A Visitation will be held 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Friday, at Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville.
A Religious Service will follow at 10:30 am. Interment at Schuylkill Memorial Park.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance
