Skook News Obituaries: March 10th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Shenandoah on June 7, 1936, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary (Zangari) Alcaraz.
John was veteran of the United States Army where he served during the Korean War in the 82nd Airborne Division. He worked in the local garment industry and for Jeld-Wen (Wenco) in Ringtown.
John was a member of the A.P Damato American Legion Post 792 where he proudly served on the Honor Guard for many years. He was also very involved in fire service. He was a member of the Rescue Hook & Ladder Fire Company in Shenandoah, as well as the Schuylkill County and 6 County Fire Associations. John was also a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens and St. Joseph’s Church in Girardville. John truly enjoyed life. He loved listening to the music of the 1950’s and 60’s and especially old country music.
Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Lois (Gibson) Alcaraz in 2019; 1 brother- Joseph Alcaraz; and 3 sisters- Mary McCole, Antoinette Swallow, and Annabelle Cannally.
The surviving family includes 2 sons- John G. Alcaraz with Alicia Cuff of Midloathian, VA and David F. Alcaraz of Pittston; 1 daughter- Lori Ann Alcaraz with Jay Richmond of Brandonville, PA; 4 brothers- Frank, Joseph, Tony, and Phillip Alcaraz; 1 grandson- Alex John Alcaraz; 1 granddaughter- Alyssa Alcaraz; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 10am to 12pm at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Dress casually or even wear something to support your favorite sports team as John was a devout Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
Burial with military honors will be held at the convenience of the family in Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
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Born on November 28, 1942 in Pine Grove, she was a daughter of the late Anthony Lawrence Heitz and Mary Herring Heitz Morgan.
She was a 1960 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School where she played basketball and was a Majorette in the band.
Carolyn spent a year in Washington, D.C. doing secretarial work for the Library of Congress. When she returned from DC, she got married and was a stay at home mom and secretary for her husband's business. She then became a secretary at Pine Grove Area High School for over 30 years until retirement.
She was a member of Pine Grove Wesleyan Church and Manbeck's Zion EC Church, Schuylkill Haven. Her faith and church families were an important part of her life.
Carolyn was instrumental in starting CLEAN in Pine Grove, an organization for environmental protection, and served as the secretary. She enjoyed gardening, skiing, ice skating, riding horses with family and friends and was very artistic.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 47 years, David G. Zimmerman, Sr.; and a sister, Shirley A. Longenecker.
Surviving are a son, David G. Jr. and wife Bernadette Zimmerman; a daughter, Holly Brosius and fiancé Dan Glowatski, both of Pine Grove; eight grandchildren, Ashley Blampied, Blaine Blampied, Malerie Wagner, Dianna Bruhn, Nevin Brosius, Guy Zimmerman, Christine Zimmerman, and Benjamin Brosius; six great grandchildren, Ella Cleary; Raegan, Harper and Clair Wagner, David and Emilia Zimmerman; a sister, Betty Dreher of West Virginia; a brother, Ronald and wife Cheryl Heitz of Pine Grove; nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held on Monday, March 31, 2025 at 6:30 P.M. at the Wesleyan Church, 74 Bethel Rd.. Pine Grove with Pastor David Brady officiating. There will be a visitation on Monday, March 31, 2025 from 5:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, 18 Wertz Dr. Pine Grove, PA 17963 in her memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements.
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Sandra L. "Sandy" Scheib, 62, of Williamstown, passed away suddenly, Monday morning, March 10, 2025 at her home.
She was born on Friday, November 2, 1962, a daughter of the late Charles Troutman, Jr. and Roseanne Florick. She attended Williams Valley School District.
Sandy was employed locally all her life, working in the garment factory, home health care industry, and as a production worker with Metal Industries and Michaels Foods.
Sandy had a special gift for finding joy in life's simple pleasures whether she was soaking up the sun at her favorite beach, hunting for hidden treasures at yard sales and auctions, or singing along at concerts. Sandy's biggest accomplishment was being a grandma. She adored her grandchildren. Her dogs Thor and Loki could often be found by her side.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother John Bair.
Surviving are her husband of 24 years, Dennis L. Scheib; her two children, Krystal Gaffney and her companion, Christopher Dickerson, Tower City and Kyle Gaffney and his wife Jessica, Kentucky; four stepchildren, Derek Scheib, Florida, Devan Scheib and his wife Elizabeth, Leola; Kyle Scheib and his wife Katie, Jonestown, and Megan Scheib and her companion, Julian, Mt. Joy; a sister, Sue Machamer, Florida; three half siblings, Steve and Dawn Troutman and Ray Bair; 13 grandchildren. Sandy is also survived by her mother-in-law, Charlotte Scheib and her companion, James McCully.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11:00 am from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc., Tower City with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. Viewing will be from 10-11 am at the chapel. Sandy will be laid to rest in the Greenwood Cemetery, Tower City.
Memorial donations can be made to Vickie's Angels Foundation, 511 Bridge Street, PO Box 174, New Cumberland, PA, 17070.
She was born on Friday, November 2, 1962, a daughter of the late Charles Troutman, Jr. and Roseanne Florick. She attended Williams Valley School District.
Sandy was employed locally all her life, working in the garment factory, home health care industry, and as a production worker with Metal Industries and Michaels Foods.
Sandy had a special gift for finding joy in life's simple pleasures whether she was soaking up the sun at her favorite beach, hunting for hidden treasures at yard sales and auctions, or singing along at concerts. Sandy's biggest accomplishment was being a grandma. She adored her grandchildren. Her dogs Thor and Loki could often be found by her side.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother John Bair.
Surviving are her husband of 24 years, Dennis L. Scheib; her two children, Krystal Gaffney and her companion, Christopher Dickerson, Tower City and Kyle Gaffney and his wife Jessica, Kentucky; four stepchildren, Derek Scheib, Florida, Devan Scheib and his wife Elizabeth, Leola; Kyle Scheib and his wife Katie, Jonestown, and Megan Scheib and her companion, Julian, Mt. Joy; a sister, Sue Machamer, Florida; three half siblings, Steve and Dawn Troutman and Ray Bair; 13 grandchildren. Sandy is also survived by her mother-in-law, Charlotte Scheib and her companion, James McCully.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11:00 am from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc., Tower City with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. Viewing will be from 10-11 am at the chapel. Sandy will be laid to rest in the Greenwood Cemetery, Tower City.
Memorial donations can be made to Vickie's Angels Foundation, 511 Bridge Street, PO Box 174, New Cumberland, PA, 17070.
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She was born on Saturday, September 26, 1925, in Pitman, a daughter of the late Henry Lesher, III and the late Mable (Klinger) Lesher.
She was a member of Zion Evangelical Congregational Church, Pitman.
Jean was also a member of Woodman of the World, Pitman and the Tri-Valley Senior Citizens. She was a former Sunday School teacher, 4H leader, and was active in the Schuylkill County Extension programs.
Jean enjoyed gardening, quilting, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Her husband, Leroy "Bud" S Heim, passed away in 2012. She was also preceded in death by a son, Leroy Dale Heim, and by three brothers and four sisters.
She is survived by three daughters, Charlotte Romaine Koch of New Bern, NC, Joan A (Marlin) Rothermel of Greenbrier, and Lois Ann (Martin) Haigh of Cresson; a son, Gary L (Judy) Heim of Pitman; seven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; two brothers, Paul Lesher of Pitman and Henry Lesher, IV of Elizabethville; two sisters, Ruth Chubb of Quarryville and Anna Wiest of Klingerstown; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Zion Evangelical Congregational Church, Pitman, on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Todd Wolfe officiating.
A viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday at the church.
Burial will be in Zion Cemetery, Pitman.
Memorial contributions can be made to Zion EC Church, PO Box 53, Pitman PA 17964 or to Polk Personal Care Center, 301 North St, Millersburg PA 17061.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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Peter was born in Hazleton, on March 21, 1956, to the late Peter and Helen (Fekety) Matweecha. Following the passing of his mother, Peter was loved and cared for by his father and late stepmother Lucille (Halcisak) Matweecha. He was a man of unwavering faith, integrity, and kindness. A proud veteran, Peter served in the Army from 1974 to 1977 as a combat medic both nationally and internationally and at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as a psychiatric technician. Following his military service, Peter graduated from Stevens Trade School with a degree in Printer and Graphic Arts. Peter then worked at Donnelly Printing in Lancaster, Pa and finished his career as a residential service aid at the Hamburg Center in Hamburg, Pa.
His life was a testament to his love for God and his family as well as his belief that everyone should be treated with the utmost kindness and respect. He once shared that he prayed each morning that he didn’t hurt the feelings of others that day. He was a pillar of strength, hope, and determination, having fought chronic illness for several years with admirable courage.
A man of great character, Peter always had a witty joke or kind word to offer those he loved and those he just met. He loved the outdoors and was an avid gardener and member of Silverbrook Rod & Gun Club since its inception. He left an indelible mark on the hearts of many. He is survived by his sister and primary caretaker, Connie (Matweecha) Garzio and husband Richard, of McAdoo; sister, Ruth (Matweecha) McBrearty and husband Jack, of Florida; brother, Brian Matweecha and wife Jill, of Silverbrook; sister, Jane Matweecha, of South Carolina; several nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends who will forever cherish his memory. Though he has left this earthly home, his spirit will continue to live on in the lives he touched.
A service to celebrate Peter’s life will be held on Thursday, March 13, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Damiano Funeral Home Inc., McAdoo. Rev. Oleh Kuts will celebrate The Divine Liturgy with Office of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, McAdoo. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.
Calling hours will be held Thursday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 210 W. Blaine St., McAdoo, PA 18237.
We take comfort in knowing that Peter is now in the presence of the Lord, reunited with those who have gone before him. His love, strength, kindness, and legacy will never be forgotten.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
