Skook News Obituaries: February 25th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Pottsville, February 21, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Mary (Murphy) Bierman.
She was a graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School and went on to work as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone and Pottsville Hospital.
She was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband James C. Beckett in 1990; a grandson Christopher Beckett in 2019; brothers Ronald and Duke Bierman.
Surviving are three sons Curtis Beckett and his wife Joan of Landisville; Mark Beckett and his wife Sandi of Pine Grove; Patrick Beckett and his wife Rose of La Plata, MD; Grandchildren Carrie Beckett Cresswell (Darle); Dr. Jaclyn Beckett (Austin Kline); Elana Beckett (Cody Kuxmann); Dr. Lauren Beckett (Dr. Andrew Higgins); Dr. Linda Beckett; Angela Beckett; Kelly Patterson (Damian), Courtney Marx (Jake Schultz); Great-grandchildren Brayden, Cameron, Daulton, Ace and Adelaide; Cherished family Chuck and Judy McKendry; Nieces and Nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 1, 2025 at St. Joseph the Worker Parish 49 N. Line St. Frackville, PA 17931. Rev. Guiseppe Esposito will be officiating . Friends may call from 9:30-11:00 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Christopher Beckett Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Carrie Cresswell, 120 Laurel Rd Orwigsburg, PA 17961. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville. Nice Hart Funeral Home Inc., Frackville, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to www.nicehartfuneralhome.com.
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Born on February 16, 1954 in Reading, he was a son of the late Paul and Betty O'Neil Pappas.
He was a graduate of Governor Mifflin High School and Reading Area Community College with a Degree in Astrology.
Thomas worked for the former Dana Corp in Reading.
He loved to read books, tarot cards, which he excelled at, and anything pertaining to astrology.
Preceding him in death was a brother, Glenn Pappas.
Surviving are his husband of 8 years, Brian Fessler; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their families.
There will be no services.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, is in charge of arrangements.
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Loreta DeStefano, 96, of Pottsville, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday February 22, 2025 in Danville at the home of her daughter, with whom she resided.
Born in Minersville, May 18, 1928 she was the daughter of the late Guiseppe and Desolina (Munster) Nicolo.
After graduating from Minersville High School in 1948, she worked at Bell Telephone, Indiantown Gap, and later in life, at Pottsville Hospital.
Loreta was a dedicated and active member of St. Joseph RCC and current member of St. Patrick RCC, Pottsville.
Loreta married Andrew A. DeStefano in 1950. He preceded her in death in 2014, severing 63 years of marriage.
Also preceding her in death were her daughter Josephine Shappell (2001), her son Charles "Chuck" DeStefano (2004), son-in-law Harry Carodiskey Jr. (2018), her sister Carmela Hammer and her brother Nicolo Nicolo.
Surviving are children Theresa Carodiskey, Andrew DeStefano Jr. (Charlotte), Thomas DeStefano (Kari), Mario DeStefano (Kathy), and Patricia Agia(Michael). Loreta also has 22 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchilren; as well as many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday February 28, 2025 from St. Patrick RCC, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville PA 17901. Reverend Philip Rodger will be officiating. Friends may call from 10:00-11:00AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Patrick memorial fund at the above address. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Pottsville. Dutcavich Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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She was born on Wednesday, September 12, 1962, in Pottsville, a daughter of the late Martin R McNamara and the late Catherine (Helman) McNamara.
She was a graduate of Pottsville High School.
MaryAnn was a building administrator for the Diocese of Allentown and later worked at Vito Rinaldi, Shenandoah until her retirement.
She was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
She was also a member of member of the Ladies of Harley (LOH). MaryAnn enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and by a brother, Martin J McNamara.
She is survived by her husband John M Fantini, to whom she was married for 14 years.
She is also survived by three daughters, Crystal M (Chad) Whitman of Valley View, Fawn (Michael) Trinkle of Palm Coast, FL, and April Tinoco of Palm Coast, FL; two sons, William D Sterner, Jr of Pottsville and Jonathan Fantini of Palm Coast, FL; four grandsons, Logan M Whitman, Dominic Trinkle, Ashton Tinoco, and Blaise Fantini; two granddaughters, Faith Fantini and Ayla Tinoco; a brother, Kevin D McNamara of Pottsville; and her mother in law, Jestine Fantini of Levittown.
Memorial services will be held at Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc, Valley View, on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Curtis Zemencik officiating.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday at the funeral home.
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Born Monday, January 10, 1944 in Coaldale the daughter of the alte Rudy B., and Anna M. (Ciorlanti) Cipko. Geraldine was also predeceased by; son, Thomas; brother, Rudy J. Cipko.
Surviving are daughter, Amy Imhoff and her husband Jay; brother, David B. Cipko and his wife Marion; sister, Jeanette Gimbor; daughter-in-law, Linda Cipko; grandchildren, Matthew Cipko and his wife Jasmine, Ashley Clement, Stephen Ofak; great grandchildren, Jayden, Malina, Anthony Jr., Aiden, Alexander. Many nieces and nephews also survive Geraldine.
Catholic by faith, Geraldine enjoyed doing adult coloring and puzzles. Geraldine worked caring for the elderly in their homes, and baby sitting.
Arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
A Celebration of Geraldine's Life will be held on Monday March 3, 2025 at 11 o'clock A.M. from the funeral home. Friends may call from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville