Skook News Obituaries: March 15th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born on May 20, 1966 in Pottsville, he was a son of the late William and Janet Adams Hendricks.
He was a 1983 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School. He was a Boy Scout and Eagle Scout in Troop 111, Pine Grove.
William had worked for Manorwood Homes in Pine Grove.
He was a social member of the Pine Grove VFW.
Bill enjoyed being outdoors, especially doing yardwork and riding motorcycles.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Margie Zimmerman Hendricks on Jan. 28, 2025; and a stepson Steven Ney.
Surviving are a daughter, Seagey Stock of Cressona; a granddaughter, Aurora Stock; two step daughters, Heather Long of Lebanon, Kelly Bastell of Reading; three step grandchildren, Josh Mason, Tyler Long and Truly Bastell; a brother, Shawn and wife Melinda Hendricks of Pine Grove; nieces and nephews, Cassidy, William, Jeffrey, Rose, Elijah and Joseph.
Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove with SALM John Ziegler officiating. There will be a visitation on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from Noon until 1:00 P.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove.
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 his memory.
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Born in Shenandoah, he was the son of the late Joseph and Catherine (Carroll) Digris. Jim managed multiple liquor stores for the PLCB in Frackville and Pottsville before retiring in 2012.
Jim was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville. He was a past exalted ruler of the Mahanoy City Elks Lodge 695.
Jim was an avid Notre Dame, Yankees,and Eagles fan. He enjoyed listening to the music of the Beatles but most of all spending time with his grandchildren attending all of their sporting events.
Jim is survived by his wife of 53 years, Martina (Mellon) Digris, Frackville; his three children: Joel Digris and his wife Amy, Frackville; Maria Brayford and her husband Mark, Orwigsburg and Kyle Digris of Beaumont, CA; his sister, Mary Ellen Sobolewski, McAdoo; his six grandchildren: Abbey, Kerrigan, Ella, and Nora Digris; Merik and Maeve Brayford; also survived by nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19th from St. Joseph the Worker Parish (St. Ann's Church), 49 N. Line Street, Frackville with Rev. Giuseppe Esposito, pastor, as the celebrant. Friends and relatives are invited to his visitation at the church on Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of mass. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Englewood section of Frackville.
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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David C. Gallo, 82, of Orwigsburg, passed away Thursday, March 13th, at Rosewood Nursing Home, Schuylkill Haven.
David was born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 16, 1942, a son of the late Alice (Kovac) and Walter David Gallo. Married for over 60 years, he was the dearly loved husband of Kathleen (Vance) Gallo; they were married June 5, 1964.
He was a very active member of Grace Bible Church of Hawk Mountain. David graduated from Penn Hills High School in Penn Hills, PA in 1960 and later received his Bachelors degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 1964. He also played college football. He was educated as an Industrial Engineer and retired as Vice President at Cressona Aluminum.
He loved the outdoors, whether it be working outside or hunting. He enjoyed Pittsburgh sports, traveling and, above all, enjoyed spending time with his family. He had an incredible sense of humor which remained with him during his stay in nursing care. He was a gifted natural musician who could play a musical instrument with no lessons needed.
David is survived by two daughters, Deborah Gallo Sweitzer, wife of Gregory, Rebecca Benjamin, wife of Blair, two sons Michael Gallo and his fiance Tania Correale and Daniel Gallo, husband of Emily. Grandchildren - Kenzie, Mikayla, Austin, Natalee, Kate, Zoe, Collin, Janelle, Hannah, Aaron, Aimee, Karissa, Noah, Chloe, Sylvie, Josephine. Great grandchildren - Aamyah, Alaaya, Sammy and JJ. He was looking forward to meeting two more great grandchildren this year. He is also survived by a sister, Barb Rohrbauck, wife of Bob.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, March 18, at Grace Bible Church of Hawk Mountain, 12 Molino Road, Orwigsburg, at 11 AM with Pastor Ben Bailey officiating. Visitation with the family will be 10 AM until the time of service. Interment will be private. Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in David's memory to Grace Bible Church of Hawk Mountain, 12 Molino Road, Orwigsburg, PA, 17961 or Hawk Mountain Sanctuary at https://www.hawkmountain.org/give/donate-now.
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Ronald W. Dietz ,age 85, of Hegins, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025. He was born on Wednesday, June 28, 1939, in Rough And Ready, a son of Willard K. Dietz and Vida J. Kelly Dietz.
He was an Associate Professor of Biology at Penn State Schuylkill Haven Campus and a farmer. Ronald was a member of Calvary Chapel, Valley View. He was also a member of Lions Club International, North East PA Service Lions Foundation, Farm Bureau and the Masonic Lodge, Valley View.
He was preceded in death by his father, Willard K. Dietz, mother, Vida J. Dietz, brother, Dennis Dietz, sister, Bernice Snyder. He is survived by his wife Deanna (Huntzinger) Dietz; two sons, Steve Dietz, Jeff Dietz; daughter, Wendy Kimmel; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at Calvary Chapel, Valley View, on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 11:00 am, with Jonathan Hikes. A viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday at Calvary Chapel. Burial will be made in Salem Cemetery, Rough and Ready.
Memorial contributions can be made to Calvary Chapel or to the Lions Club.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Nanticoke, she was the daughter of the late Theodore (Thaddeus) and Victoria Frankevicz Grodzicki. Betty was a graduate of Ashley High School, class of 1949. She was happily married to the late Leonard Tarutis on May 7, 1955. She was a dedicated worker of 30 years for the ILGWU garment industry and continued her sewing prowess as the go to seamstress of her family for years. Elizabeth later worked as a secretary in an accounting office for 5 years before retiring to spend time with her family and help raise her grandchildren.
Throughout adulthood, Betty lived an active social life. She greatly enjoyed frequent trips to the bingo hall, where she taught her granddaughters the art of multicard bingo and bring-your-own-dotters. Whenever possible, she loved taking trips to the casino, especially in Atlantic City with her sister, Genie Lehman. Elizabeth loved to stay involved in her community as a member of St. Richard’s Church and a volunteer at the Kirby Center for the Performing Arts for many years.
Betty loved attending any and all events and activities her children and grandchildren participated in, traveling with them to tournaments and vacations for decades. She had an incredible green thumb, frequently tending to her garden until she was physically unable to do so.
In addition to her parents, Elizabeth was preceded in death by her loving husband, Leonard Tarutis (June 1978) as well as her sister, Genevieve Lehman (February 2025) and brother Bernard Grodzicki (September 1975).
Elizabeth was a light in every setting she found herself in, turning acquaintances into friends within minutes. Her memory will be carried on by her three children, Lawrence Tarutis, wife Mary Margaret, Ft Myers Fl; Deborah Stevens, husband Russell, Dupont PA; and Patricia Patton, husband John, Barnesville PA; along with her grandchildren: Jonathan Kotula, wife Michelle, Steven Kotula, fiance Natasha, Jessica Gomez, husband J Maxwell, Janine Kreider, husband Joel, and John Patton and her great grandchildren: Ember, Olivia, Roy “Fitz”, Carmen, and two additional babies due. She is also survived by stepbrother, Robert Grodzicki, wife Julie as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, March 17 at Damiano Funeral Home, 24 E Blaine St, McAdoo, PA.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18 at Elizabeth’s home church of St. Richard’s in Barnesville, PA, 799 Barnesville Dr. with interment held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre and the family invites any guests to join them at 1:30 pm, where Betty will be laid to rest alongside her husband, finally reuniting after 47 years apart.
The family would like to thank the staff at St. Luke's Miners Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the professional and loving care that they provided over the past year.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Elizabeth’s honor to St. Luke’s Miners Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Activities Department, 360 W Ruddle St. Coaldale, PA 18218.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
