Skook News Obituaries: February 13th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born on March 27, 1990, in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, Nicholas was the son of the late Eleanor (Sharpe) and Theodore Garulle.
Nicholas was an avid enthusiast of off-road vehicles, including dirt bikes, quads, and Jeeps. He possessed a talent for mechanical repair and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He possessed boundless energy and dreams, aspirations, and a darker side. His addiction to illicit drugs caused irreparable harm to his identity and potential, ultimately led to his demise.
Nicholas graduated from Mahanoy Area High School and participated in football during his tenure there.
He is survived by his sister, Tammy, who is married to Joseph Kephart of Schuylkill Haven. Nick was blessed with three nieces, Haley Zerby, Caitlyn and Jordyn Kephart, and a great-niece, Amber Hanlon. Nicholas is also survived by his cousins, aunts, uncles, and his beloved dog, Koba.
A memorial service will be held at McNiff’s Irish Pub in Mahanoy City on Sunday, February 16th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book, view the tribute video and send sympathy cards.
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Jerry was born on July 4, 1928, in Perth Amboy, NJ, to James and Margaret Mouatsos Simatos, who both emigrated to the United States from Kefalonia, Greece.
He was the husband of the late Olive Jones Johns (2004), to whom he was married for 50 years. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sally A. Simatos, RN (2003), and two sisters, Helen Konstantakis Amos (2023) and Elizabeth Simatos (1949).
Jerry is survived by his son, James C. Simatos (Borough of Mechanicsville), his wife Susan, and their children—his grandchildren—Samantha, Jerry, James, and Sarah, as well as his great-granddaughter, Sienna Rose. He is also survived by a niece, several nephews, and godchildren.
Jerry was a first-team All-State football player, having played offensive guard on his undefeated high school football team for three years. He was offered a scholarship to play football at Syracuse University but instead chose to enlist in the Army during the Korean Conflict.
He began his military career at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he also played football, this time as a center on their military championship football team. Jerry later transferred to Fort Indiantown Gap as a Drill Instructor (Lemon Head), training soldiers before their deployment to Korea. While stationed at the Gap, he met the love of his life, Olive Jones Johns, on a weekend pass trip with his fellow soldiers to Pottsville.
After his honorable discharge from the Army, Jerry and Olive married in Pottsville in 1954 and moved to Albany, NY, where they owned and operated a restaurant in Schenectady. A few years later, Jerry moved to his wife's family homestead in Mechanicsville, where he began his career as a wholesale route salesman for Capital Bakers, serving nearly all of the restaurants, hospitals, and schools in Pottsville.
After Capital Bakers left the area in the late ’70s, Jerry worked as a wholesale route salesman for Guers Dairy, serving establishments from Pottsville to Shamokin and everywhere in between. During his tenure with both Capital Bakers and Guers, he was elected Tax Collector for the Borough of Mechanicsville, a position he held for over 30 years until retiring.
Jerry was one of the founding members of the Pottsville Midget Football League in the early ’60s, serving as both a coach and referee for over 30 years. He was also an avid bowler, participating in as many as three leagues at a time and winning numerous trophies and awards.
Jerry was respected by all who knew him for his integrity, honesty, and work ethic. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Memorial contributions in Jerry's name may be made to the Crimson Tide Football Club, PO BOX 351, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Jerry was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Interment will be at Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville.
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Born in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late John and Mary (Chuposka) Tynio. She was also preceded in death by her husband Lewis Seitzinger; her two sons-in-law: Scott McCoy and Ron Romig; her brothers: Emil, Michael, Myron, Stephen and John Tynio; her sisters: Olga Cattie, Martha King, Anna and Annie Tynio.
Veronica enjoyed shopping, watching Hallmark movies and game shows and playing bingo while in the nursing home. She often listened to music from Elvis Presley and cherished her time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her three daughters: Lisa McCoy, Fountain Springs; Lou Ann Fickinger, Gordon; and Lesley Romig, Bloomsburg; her son, Stephen Seitzinger and his wife Jeanette, Pine Grove; her grandchildren: Scotty, Derek, Samantha, Selah and Jathan; her sister, Elizabeth Puls; she is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
Sign the guest book, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville, is in charge of arrangements.
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Geraldine F Masser, age 92, of Valley View, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Providence Place, Pottsville.
She was born on Sunday, October 23, 1932, in Pitman, a daughter of the late Grant F Herring and the late Alma J (Zimmerman) Herring.
She was a 1950 graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Sterman E Masser in 2012, and by a son, Kim L Masser in 1980.
She is a survived by a son, Keith E Masser and his wife Helen of Sacramento; two daughters, Cynthia S Bambara and her husband Michael of Frostburg, MD, and Kay L Chervanik and her husband Charles of Tallahassee, FL; six grandchildren, David Masser, Julie Ballay, Timothy Bambara, Thomas Bambara, Kyle Chervanik, and Carly Chervanik; five great-grandchildren, Samantha Masser, Maxwell Masser, Adelle Ballay, Gavin Ballay, and Leonardo Bambara; two sisters, Dolroes Hepler and Sandra Rothermel.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Burial will be in Jacob's Cemetery, Pitman.
The family preference is for contributions to the Kim L. Masser Memorial Scholarship for the College of Agricultural Sciences can be made online at raise.psu.edu or by mailing a check made payable to: The Pennsylvania State University, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, 431 Curtin Road, Room 240, University Park, PA 16802.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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Linda E. Blackwell, 65, formerly of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Monday while at Lexington Medical Center Extended Care Nursing Home in Lexington, South Carolina.
Born in Pottsville, May 4, 1959, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Marguerite Yourshaw.
Linda received her associate’s degree in business and worked as an administrative assistant for most of her career. Linda was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pottsville.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Howard Blackwell and her sister, Virginia Miller.
She is survived by her daughter, Sara Dinger wife of Doug of West Columbia SC, brother, James Yourshaw, husband to Toni, Orwigsburg, PA, sister, Barbara Mancini, wife of Joseph, Philadelphia, PA. She is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 28th at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven at 10:30 A.M. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services. Interment will follow on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Linda’s name to the American Stroke Association.
Linda E. Blackwell, 65, formerly of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Monday while at Lexington Medical Center Extended Care Nursing Home in Lexington, South Carolina.
Born in Pottsville, May 4, 1959, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Marguerite Yourshaw.
Linda received her associate’s degree in business and worked as an administrative assistant for most of her career. Linda was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pottsville.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Howard Blackwell and her sister, Virginia Miller.
She is survived by her daughter, Sara Dinger wife of Doug of West Columbia SC, brother, James Yourshaw, husband to Toni, Orwigsburg, PA, sister, Barbara Mancini, wife of Joseph, Philadelphia, PA. She is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 28th at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven at 10:30 A.M. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services. Interment will follow on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Linda’s name to the American Stroke Association.
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Born in Centralia on December 18, 1939, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary (Tighe) Rooney.
He was a graduate of Catholic High in Mount Carmel.
Mr. Rooney was a decorated US Army veteran having served his country during the Korean War.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a coal miner in the local anthracite industry.
On September 17, 1964 in the former Saint Joseph’s Church in Mount Carmel, he married the former Alice S. Klingerman who preceded him in death on April 5, 1983.
He was a member of the former Saint Ignatius Church, Centralia.
Ed was a life member of the Centralia American Legion Post 608 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). He was also a member of the Good Fellowship Club, Ashland.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents and his wife were his daughter, Dorothy A. Catizone; his great-grandson, Anthony Myles Catizone; one brother, John F. Rooney and one sister, Dorothy Eby.
Surviving are three sons, Charles “Chip” Rooney and his companion Cynthia of Lattimer Mines, Kyle Rooney and his wife Lora of Lavelle and Patrick Rooney of Shamokin; seven grandchildren, Kyle M. Rooney, Alexandra Catizone, Anthony Catizone, Mina Coyne-Ciccone, Collin Rooney, Patrick Rooney and Michael Rooney; one great-grandson, Quinn Catizone; one brother, Joe Rooney and his wife Kathy of Levittown; one sister, Peggie Stellar; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 11:00 am at Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 South Market Street, Mt. Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, Supervisor. Very Rev. Francis J. Karwacki will officiate. Interment with military honors will be held on a later date at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. A visitation will be held on Tuesday morning from 9:30 am until 11:00 am at the funeral home.
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Born on June 15, 1948 in Kirksville, MO, he was a son of the late Leslie Fred and Betty Lou Chaffee Winkleman.
He was a 1966 graduate of Brashear High School, MO
Jim entered the United States Army in 1968. He retired after 32 years of service in the Army/US Army Reserves. During that time he worked in different areas,and the one he was most proud of was being a Drill Sergeant. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.
Jim had also been a farmer and truck driver and he enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his grandsons.
He was a former member of the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge #409 F. & A.M., Reading Rajah Shriners, Scottish Rites in Reading, Schuylkill Shrine Club, and the Rock Fish & Game, Pine Grove.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Karen Denice Lile Winkleman; a daughter, Heather and husband Ron Escober of Colorado Springs, CO; three step children, Ingrid Weber and fiance' Dave Bryan of West Grove, Marvin Weber of Pine Grove, Heather Weber of Pine Grove; four step grandchildren, Brett and Macaylee Weber of Tremont, Alyssa Wiest and companion Jared Eberly of Drexel Hills, Cody and wife Rebecca Deitz of Columbia, Bryce Weber of Pine Grove; two sisters, Judy Klock of Emery, SD, Brenda and husband Robert Kelsy of Brashear, MO; nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, with Ret. Colonel Pastor Donald Lindman officiating. There will be a viewing on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.at the Funeral Home with Masonic Services at 7:00 P.M. Interment with military honors will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org or the Disabled American Veterans, www.dav.org in his memory.
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Born in Frackville on May 12, 1929 he was the son of the late Sadie (Ferris) and George Schally.
He was of the Catholic faith and was a member of St. Charles Borromeo in Ashland.
James was the husband of the late Ethel E. (Shoup) Schally who passed away in 2008. They were married for over 57 years.
James graduated from Frackville High School in 1948.
He served in the Army during the Korean War.
He was a union steel worker and worked his entire career for Parish Steel in Reading.
He was a member of Gordon Fire Company, AMVETS Post 44-Gordon, Gordon Senior Citizens and Ashland Senior Citizens. James enjoyed reading, walking and doing crosswords.
In addition to his spouse, he was preceded in death by; brother George; Sister Anna; great grandson Kohl Marlow.
James is survived by; sister Lorraine Chuma, Frackville; son James Schally Jr (Kathleen), Boiling Springs; daughter Mary Alice Fields (Gregory), Kingsport TN; daughter Susan Jacavage, Gordon; 4 grandchildren Michelle Walter-Meiser, Stephanie Marlow, Jason Marlow, Ralph Jacavage; 7 great grandchildren Blayke, Brynn, Berlin, Camryn, Isabella, Eddie, Brandt, Braysen & Laney; many nieces & nephews.
A viewing for family and friends will be held on Monday February 17th from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM at St. Charles Borromeo, 1115 Walnut St, Ashland PA 17921. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow 12:00 noon. The interment will be private at the family’s request.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Chad Lee Hasker, 34, a resident of Pottsville, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 6th, 2025.
Chad was born in Hazleton on April 25, 1990 and was a son of the late Robert Hasker, and Rebecca (Greising) Lescowitch of Oneida, PA.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his siblings, Bobby Hasker, Jennifer Wilson and Tiffany Lescowitch.
Private services have been provided by the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, Ringtown.
Chad Lee Hasker, 34, a resident of Pottsville, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 6th, 2025.
Chad was born in Hazleton on April 25, 1990 and was a son of the late Robert Hasker, and Rebecca (Greising) Lescowitch of Oneida, PA.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his siblings, Bobby Hasker, Jennifer Wilson and Tiffany Lescowitch.
Private services have been provided by the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, Ringtown.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
