Skook News Obituaries: March 24th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Joe was born in Mahanoy City, Pa., on August 19th, 1931. He was the son of late Mary Daniels and John Rzeplinski. He was a handsome guy even at his late age. To Joe's family and friends he was also best known as Zeppo and sometimes, Homer.
Joe was both a loving and devoted Husband to his Wife, Priscilla (Helen) Rzeplinski for over 71 years who recently pasted in July 2024. Joe was a devoted Catholic and attended local Polish schooling in Mahanoy City where both Joe and Helen met.
After schooling, Joe was drafted in o the U.S. Army for two years starting in November of 1952. He was a Military Policeman stationed in South Korea. While on tour, Joe and Helen finalized their 10 yearlong courtships by getting married in Mahanoy City on April 18th, 1953.
Joe was the last of 11 Brothers and Sisters as follows:
Brothers: Edward (Buckie), John (Jasu), Bernard (Butchie), Steve (Leppie), Francis (Frank), and Stanley (Stash).
Sisters: Josephine Thorton, Stacia (Stella) St Denis, Mary Kieris, and Theresa Zakrewsky and Jennie Rzeplinski.
After Joe came home from the Army in November of 1954, he and his wife eventually bought a house and rose about 50 or more Homer pigeons for both pigeon racing and pigeon shoots. This is where he got his additional nickname, Homer!
Joe worked and drove a small delivery truck for Freidman's Furniture in Mahanoy City for many years. He then worked for the Mahanoy City Borough where he eventually obtained his CDL-B license to drive the town's heavier 10 wheeler sanitation trucks till his retirement.
Both Joe & Priscilla did not have any children of their own but they raise their nephew, Mark Schropp like one of their own. He taught him all he can about life's experiences and how to shoot, hunt and tried in vain to teach him fishing.
As a young lad growing up in the depression era, Joe's Pop taught the boys to wake up early at 5am and head up the mountain south of town to pick huckleberries and mushrooms so the family can later sell them for cash to pay bills. He always knew the best spots to find them. He would walk as far as Locust Lake before it was a State Park. This was long before Interstate 81 was constructed. The Skytop coal-breaker and the nearby railroad water tower all where still there back then.
All of these early childhood family experiences had given Joe businessman-like social skills in many ways, besides managing pigeon shoot matches, he learned how to repair Venetian window blinds from his previous job and as a hobby he offered that skill to family and friends.
Hunting, especially Deer Hunting, was his main passion. He lived for the season! He was a member of the Locust Valley Fish and Game Club. He hunted mostly in Schuylkill County but earlier in his life he also hunted in Sullivan County. In the 1980's, sometimes his deer hunting family was so large it required two rosters with 15-20 hunters.
Joe was a marksmen and very active in shooting matches. Back then it was both acceptable and common to make bets at pigeon shooting matches and receive trophies. Joe received several trophies back in the 60's and 70's. One was from the White Tail Wild Life Club in 1960. Second Place for shooting.
Fishing was yet another passion Joe loved. He was an exceptional fisherman at that, spending most of his time a Silver Lake, Locust Lake, Whippoorwill Dam, Pumping Station Reservoir and his many trips to Lake Ontario, Canada staying in tent or cabin.
Joe loved to cook! He tried cooking in their kitchen many times but to preserve his wonderful loving marriage, he resorted to cooking in the basement on his "pride and joy", the Coleman Gas Stove! He made Bum Soup, Blennies, Beef Burgers with deer meat and onions and Pierogies!
When it came to TV, Joe loved watching Outdoor Life, wildlife, hunting and fishing programs. He loved old western movies and even war pictures but he soon got restless and needed to be active. He always found things to fix down his basement or walk outdoors to find people to talk to around his home.
Joe was a very social guy. He loved having coffee or a hot dog at restaurants in town just to talk to people. One way to socialize was playing card games and checkers down the old and new West End Fire House. Poker and Pinochle was some of Joe's most favorite card games.
Joe loved social visits at their home. Joe and his Wife would always offer them Coffee, taste cakes, pies or doughnuts in their kitchen with their favorite colored clay teacups. We are certainly deeply missing this long time tradition with them everyday that passes. Love you both!
Services where private at the convenience of the family.
Honorary Pall Bearers where as follows: Mark Benfer, Rayme Peters Sr., Greg Rzeplinki, Russell Rzeplinki, John Rzeplinski, Francis Kieres, Bob Gagliardi, Andy Benfer, Raymond Peters Jr., Phillip Gorneault. and Albert Peel.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City was in charge of the arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sing a guest book and send sympathy cards.
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Born in Pottsville, May 24, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Mary Herman Futchko.
Pat was a graduate of St. Clair High School, Class of 1970.
Pat worked as a secretary for Kane Steel out of high school. She then went on to work for WearEver in Deer Lake for several years. Pat then worked at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville throughout most of her life as a medical coder.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband James Kunkel who passed away 2004.
Pat is survived by her daughter, Alicia Kieffer, wife of David, Jr. of Bethel and grandchildren Mason and Alexis Kieffer. She is also survived by several aunts and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Friday at 11:00 A.M. at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven. Family and friends are welcome from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. Interment will follow on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
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Born in Pottsville, PA, on April 24, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Albert J. and Raydell E. (Yeich) Wychunas.
Helen was a graduate of Nativity B.V.M. High School, Class of 1971. She was employed as an office manager at Moyer Electronic Supply Company in Pottsville for 53 years
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Pottsville and Mt. Carbon Fire Company.
Helen loved her horses and also crocheting, needle point, baking, and canning. For anyone that got to know her, knew her as a generous kind woman.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband John Heimbaugh on July 13, 1999, a brother Albert J. Wychunas Jr., a sister Maryann Wychunas, and a great nephew.
Helen is survived by brothers: Edward Wychunas and his wife Jennifer, Anthony Wychunas and his wife Tracey, and Gerald Wychunas and his wife Tina; a sister Cheryl A. Wychunas; several good friends; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, as well as several cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon at 10:30AM on Saturday, March 29th, with Rev. Agusta Grapp officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with the family on Saturday morning from 9:30-10:30AM at the Funeral Home.
Interment will be held private in St. Joseph Cemetery in Pottsville.
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Jean H. Rolshausen, 96, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Saturday, March 22nd, at her residence.
Born in Pottsville, on November 28, 1928, a daughter of the late Bertha (Ebling) and Earl Spotts.
She was the widow of Carl G. Rolshausen, who passed away in July 1996.
She was a member of Bethany Christian Fellowship Church, Cressona.
She was formerly employed as a Supervisor at Cressona Knit, Cressona.
Jean is survived by her daughter Linda Huntzinger, Schuylkill Haven; a son Carl Rolshausen husband of Carol, Schuylkill Haven; grandchildren Ashley Koropchak wife of Paul, Auburn, Nicholas Rolshausen husband of Briana, Mount Carmel, William Huntzinger, II husband of Alyssa, Orwigsburg and Tyler Rolshausen husband of Michelle, Camp Hill; great grandchildren Nola, Myles and Baylor Koropchak, Jaclyn Howard and Roland Rolshausen, Bodie Huntzinger, Cora and Bryson Rolshausen; nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her son Dennis in 1953; brothers Norman Spotts, Sr. and Wilbur Spotts; sisters Eleanor Kremer, Kay McCall, Shirley McCord, Verna Mates, Marie Repp and Evelyn McGlone.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, March 31st at Bethany Christian Fellowship Church in Cressona.
A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:30 until the time of the service, at the Church.
Interment will follow the service at Cressona Cemetery, Cressona.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Bethany Christian Fellowship Church Cressona, PA 17929.
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Regina Haley, 88, a lifelong resident of the Minersville and Pottsville areas, passed away on Tuesday, March, 4th, 2025, while a guest at the Rosewood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Schuylkill Haven.
Regina was born in Pottsville on December 3rd, 1936, a daughter of the late Jacob and Katherine (Lipsett) Haley.
Regina was the last member of her immediate family, being preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Leo Haley in 2020. She was a long time companion of Ed Herbert, Minersville. She has an extended family of step siblings, nieces, nephews.
Regina was employed at the Pottsville Pizzeria, North Centre St. Pottsville for several years.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Regina Haley by attending and sharing memories on Saturday, March 29th, 2025 from 10 am until 12 noon at the Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 West Market Street, Pottsville.
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He was a graduate of Orwigsburg High School, Class of 1954. He worked as a shipping supervisor at Zulick Shoe Company, Orwigsburg and also at Cressona Aluminum. He was a member of Stein's Hollow Beagle Club as well as an avid outdoorsman. He raised and loved beagles and owned a kennel called Deb-A-Do Beagles, He enjoyed dining at the Coldstream Kitchen.
George is survived by two daughters, Debra, wife of Michael Sterner and Robin, wife of David Penberth as well as his son Edward Wessner and his companion Helen; seven grandchildren - Brandon, Travis, and Tyler Sterner; Megan Whitney; Laryssa Moyer; Kelcey & Madyson Wessner. Also surviving are eight great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother Kenneth Wessner.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Red Creek Wildlife, 300 Moon Hill Drive, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 or DAWGS Prison Program, 25 Brier Drive, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Services are private at the convenience of the family. Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. is honored to be serving the family.
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Born September 18, 1948, in Allentown, Pennsylvania she was the daughter of the late Burton Swayze and Jean (Sopper) Swayze of Allentown.
Linda was self employed for many years as a baker. She was known for her birthday, wedding cakes and cookies. Linda served as Executive Director of the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce for many years. A member of the Tamaqua Beatification Program, S.O.S., and the Tamaqua Rotary, she was catholic by faith.
Many Tamaqua residents will remember Linda buzzing around town on her motorcycle or for her active role playing Mrs. Claus for years downtown during the Santa parade.
Surviving is her mother: Jean (Sopper) Swayze of Allentown; son, Eric M., husband of Gretchen T. Yulanavage of Tamaqua. In addition are her grandsons: Donovan C. and Andrew R. Yulanavage both of Tamaqua; sisters: Jill, wife of John Sharkey, Eileen, wife of Jim Davey. Nieces and nephews also survive Linda.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday evening, March 27, 2025 at 7 o'clock P.M. at the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. A viewing will be held from 5-7: 00 P.M..
Graveside services will be private at Resurrection Cemetery in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
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He was born on Sunday April 3, 1960. While living in the Tower City area, he was the foster son of Robert and Ida Mae Leitzel and Mike and Marie Rodichok.
He was 1979 graduate of Williams Valley High School.
Albert proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1979-1983.
He was last employed with the New Cumberland Army Depot.
Albert was a member of the Tower City American Legion and the Tower City Loyal Order of Moose Lodge.
He was a car and motorcycle enthusiast with a passion for Mustangs.
He is survived by his daughter, Gwen Readinger, Herndon, and a grandson, Foster Engle.
Albert will be laid to rest privately with military honors in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. is handling the arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
