Skook News Obituaries: March 16th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born Sunday, January 9, 1938 at the Palmerton Hospital. He was the son of the late Wellace Miller and Helen Snyder. Donald was also predeceased by: step father, Earnest A. Snyder; brother, Clair E. Snyder; granddaughter, Amanda Reifsnyder; great grandson, Witten Balliet.
Surviving are: His beloved wife of 68 years, Eva Mae (Shellhamer) Miller; daughter, DelAnn H. Miller and her husband Wayne; sons, Dean K. Miller and his wife Cynthia, Douglas R. Miller and his wife Jeannine, Darryl M. Miller and his wife Peggy, Dwane L. Miller and his wife Jessica, all of Andreas, PA; step brother, Lamar J. Snyder of Ben Salem, PA. Grandchildren, April (Brandon) Eberts, Dean II (Angelic) Miller, Laura (Josh) Skipper, Douglas II (Alexis) Miller, Jennifer (Steve) Balliet, Ashley Kovatch and her partner Jason Gerber, Lawson (Katie) Miller, Dylan Miller and his fiancée Dominique Hughes, Brady Miller and his partner Emma Hope, Madelyn Miller. Great grandchildren; Autumn Mick, Brandon, Daulton and Cole Eberts, Derrick, Dustin, Daniel and Drake Miller, Camryn Arguetta, Manaia Igafo, Zoie and Parker Reifsnyder, Jessie, Ava, Ashton and Maverick Miller, Ella and Grayson Balliet, John V and Miller Kovatch, Joey Conahan, Kolt Oliver and Lainey Mae Miller. Great-great grandchildren: Sam and Charleigh Mick, Maylynn Eberts and Ariella Eberts.
A graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, Donald's main focus was operating the family farm with his wife, Eva Mae and his family. He took pride in the fact that the farm is now entering the 6th generation of operation, where he spent the last few years watching the family as they harvested hay, grain, and vegetables along with raising beef cattle. The family also operated produce stands at local Farmer's Markets, including Hometown and Mahoning Farmer's Markets. In his later years, in addition to farming, Donald also drove truck for L. U. Balliet and J. W. Zaprazny, while owning his own rig. A member of Zion's Stone Church of West Penn Township, Donald was a longtime member of the PA Farm Bureau and enjoyed attending farm equipment auctions.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc 2066 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold, PA 17960 (570) 386-5884.
A visitation will be held from the funeral home on Wednesday evening, March 19, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. from Zion's Stone Church, 45 Cemetery Road New Ringgold, PA 17960. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. Rev. Russell Campbell to officiate.
Interment will be in Zion's Stone Church Cemetery.
Memorials can be made in Donald's name in care of Zion's Stone Church, 45 Cemetery Road, New Ringgold, PA 17960.
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Claire J. Kline, 84, of Pottsville passed away on Friday after a brief stay at Schuylkill Center Nursing Home.
Born in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Ruth Reppert Kline.
Claire was a 1958 graduate of Pottsville Area High School.
She worked at the ACME for over 25 years in the deli department.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister Ruth D. Bainbridge.
She is survived by her lifelong friend Helene McLaughlin wife of Robert of Marlin, their daughter Cathy Carpenito wife of Steven. Claire will also be deeply missed by their children, Thomas and Emily Carpenito,
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 22, at 10:00 A.M. at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Claire’s love of animals, the family asks that donations in Claire’s name be made to the Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhomes.com.
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Charles was born in Shenandoah, the son of the late Enoch and Elizabeth (Bokuniewicz) Bartusik. He graduated from J.W. Cooper High School in 1959, where he was a star football player. He attended the University of South Carolina on a football scholarship. In 2013, Charles was inducted into the Jerry Wolman-Northern Anthracite Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Early in his career, Charles worked various jobs including as an inhalation therapist at the Albert Einstein Hospital.
Charles joined the Shenandoah Police Department, where he served the community for 20 years. He spent the last 10 years of his career on the force as Captain. During his time on the force, he attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, Municipal Officers Training Program and graduated top of his class. Charles then certified with the NRA as a firearms and safety training instructor. He organized a firearms training program for local municipal officers in Schuylkill County.
After retiring from the police force, he worked at Reading Anthracite as a heavy equipment operator and security officer.
Charles was a former member of the Ringtown Rotary club. He also spent a few years as Chairman for the Ringtown Boy Scouts and as a youth soccer coach. Most recently, Charles served as the President of the Forkston Mountain Property Owners’ Association.
Charles was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, and hiking, as well as riding horses and motorcycles with his family and friends.
Charles is survived by his wife, Barbara (Laudeman) Bartusik, his children, Lisamarie Bartusik, wife of Felix Hotard, Jo Ann Bartusik, Charles Bartusik, fiancé of Amey Lacaillade, and Vincent Bartusik, husband of Courtney, and his grandchildren, Nolan Heiber, Elaina Bartusik, Jesse Bartusik, Chloe Bartusik, Haileigh Bartusik, Emma Bartusik, and Erin Bartusik. He is also survived by his brother, Ignatius Bartusik.
A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, March 19 at Oravitz Funeral Home, 40 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah at 11a.m. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Burial will immediately follow in St. Casimir's Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. Services will be conducted by Msgr. Ronald Bocian.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a non-profit organization of your choice in his name.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
