Skook News Obituaries: March 31st, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Cheryl K. Matthews Varndell, 73, of Gordon, passed away Sunday March 30, 2025, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, East Norwegian St., Pottsville. Cheryl was born September 9th, 1951, in Pottsville to Russell and Nada (Deilh) Matthews. Cheryl was a graduate of Pottsville High School class of 1969. While in high school she set a new Schuylkill County record in the 50 yard dash, in 6.7 seconds, which still stands, as the following year they went to the metric system. Upon graduation, she started her career in Medical Services, ending after 25 years of medical records, at the former Ashland State General Hospital (St. Catherine Medical Center), Fountain Springs.Cheryl was a devoted Lutheran member of Christ United Lutheran Church, Airport Road, Gordon. She served on various committees, teaching Sunday School and volunteering. She praised and loved her church family.
Family was everything to Cheryl, she continued attending family reunions, the third Saturday in July, every year, so we know the same date. She loved her cousins like they were sisters and brothers.
Survivors:
Husband: Mark, Gordon
Son: Russell McAndrew, Harrisburg
Son: Joseph B. McAndrew, Gordon
Grandson: Joey Micheal McAndrew, Gordon
Granddaughter: Bianca Zeoca McAndrew, Gordon
Step-Daughter: Gwendolyn Lion, Las Vagas
Step-Daughter: Ashey (Ty) Koontz Las Vagas
Step-Son: Alan (Marina) Shuman, Reading
Step-Son Kerry (Monica Lou) Shuman, Reading
Grandchildren: Kayla, AJ, Natalie, Sydney, Jordan, Cameron, Caleb, and Chole
Cheryl loved and adored deeply her children, grandchildren and her step-children, step-grandchildren, and also, her family cousins from Lititz, Middleport, and Maryland.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Cheryl’s Life, Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 11 AM, in Christ’s United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road, Ashland, PA., 17921. Officiating will be Rev. Brian Beissel, Pastor. Visitation with family and friends will begin
Thursday morning, in the church, 9:30 AM until service time. Internment will take place at a later date in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
The family requests contributions be made to Christ United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road, Ashland, PA. 17921.
The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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Shirley (Harviletz) Milyo, 79, of Frackville, passed away Saturday March 29, 2025 at Shenandoah Senior Living Community.Born in Shenandoah, January 3, 1946, She was a daughter of the late George and Alberta (Katilas) Harviletz.
She was a 1964 graduate of Frackville High School, going on to work at the Rabin’s and Model Garment Factory.
She was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Frackville.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard Milyo Sr. in 2013;
Surviving are 3 sisters, Sandra Neiswender of Frackville; Karen Spengler and her husband Robert of Palmyra; Christine Moyer and her husband Gerald of Apache Junction, AZ; Step-son Bernard Milyo Jr.; Step-daughter Brenda Wessner husband Ed of Cressona; Nieces and Nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Friday from St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 49 N Line St. Frackville, PA 17931. Msgr. William Glosser will be officiating. Friends may call from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday and 9:30-10:30 Friday at Nice- Hart Funeral Home, Inc. 9 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville, PA 17931. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901. Burial will be in Annunciation BVM Cemetery, Frackville.
Nice Hart Funeral Home Inc., Frackville, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to www.nicehartfuneralhome.com.
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Ernest Bowman, 81, of Frackville, formerly of Shenandoah , passed away Wednesday March 19, 2025 at Ridgeview Nursing & Rehab, Shenandoah.
Born in Pottsville, February 17, 1944, He was a son of the late Grace Konsler Bowman.
He worked as a laborer for many companies before retiring as a bus driver for North Schuylkill School District
He was preceded in death by 2 daughters Sherry Bowman April Bowman,.
Surviving are 3 daughters Sheral Rutledge of Ashland; Catherine Tkach of Danville; Ernestine Waizenegger and her husband Pat of Mt. Carmel.
Graveside Service will be held at 11:00AM Satuday April 6, 2025 from Sky- View Memorial Park, 108 Lafayette Avenue Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Nice Hart Funeral Home Inc., Frackville, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to www.nicehartfuneralhome.com.
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David M. Motto, 74, of Port Carbon, passed away Saturday March 29, 2025, at home surrounded by his family.
Born in St. Clair, January 5, 1951, He was a son of the late Martin and Kathryn (Butscunas) Motto
A 1969 graduate of St. Clair High School, where he also attended Vo-Tech, David went on to work as a Maintenance Supervisor for Gould’s Pumps in Ashland before retiring as an Electrician from IBEW # 743, Reading. He also worked as an electrical inspector and taught nights at the Vo-tech.
He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, St. Clair.
He was preceded in death by brother Martin “Moose” Motto; 2 sisters Bernice Ferraro and Theresa Lavonis.
Surviving are his wife Tina (Charowsky) Motto; a son Christopher Motto and his wife Lisa, Buckport, ME; daughter Larissa Tobias and her husband Michael of Port Carbon,; son David Motto of Hamburg; daughter Tara Nuer of Shoemakersville; Grandchildren Cordelia Tobias and Sophia Tobias; Ireland and Daregan Motto; Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday from Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street St. Clair, PA 17970. Msgr. William F. Glosser will be officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Thursday at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, St. Clair.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to Compassus Hopsice for the greatest care. Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent to http://www.brucethartfuneralhome.com
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Ada F. Wehry, 97, of Ashland passed away Friday morning March 28th at Green Valley Skilled Nursing in Pottsville.
Born on November 10, 1927 in Ashland she was the daughter of the late Emma (Snyder) and Clarence Lesher.
She was the wife of the late Joseph M. Wehry who passed away in 2006.
Ada last worked at Mitchell’s Bakery as a cake decorator and cleaned houses in addition to raising her children on the family farm.
She was of the Protestant faith.
Ada enjoyed baking, sewing, flowers, gardening and butchering.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by; brother Ralph Shoup; brother Roy Shoup; sister Betty Geist; sister Sarah Hornberger; brother Robert Lesher.
Ada is survived by; son Carl Wehry (Edie), Ashland; son Paul Wehry (Joan), Ashland; brother Guy Lesher (Esther), Hegins; 7 grandchildren Lisa, Carl, Amy, Paula, Susan, Jill & Michael; 6 great grandchildren Matthew, Emily, Isabella, Josalyn, Luke & Lily; many nieces & nephews.
A viewing for family and friends will be held on Thursday morning April 3rd from 9:30-11:00 AM at the funeral home. Services will begin at 11:00 AM at the funeral home with Rev Benjamin Scholl officiating. Burial will follow services at Zions E.C. Cemetery in Pitman.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc, 901 Centre St, Ashland PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements. To extend online condolences or for more information, visit www.kullfuneral.com.
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He was born at the former Locust Mountain Hospital and was a 1959 graduate of Mahanoy Township High School. He had been employed by and retired from Lehigh Coal and Navigation where he worked as an equipment operator. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Mahanoy City, Operating Engineers Local 542 and the Tamaqua/Mahanoy Lodge No. 238 F&AM.
He was preceded in death by his wife the former Patricia Layton and a daughter Holli A. Gontz, a sister Kay Andrews and a brother George Gontz.
Survivors include 2 sons James W. Gontz and his wife Cindy of Barnesville, David Gontz of North Carolina, 3 grandchildren Courtney Long and Gregory and Anthony Gontz, 2 great grandchildren Jensen and Stella Long as well as nieces and nephews.
Services will be private. Contributions in his name to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901 would be appreciated by the family.
David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements.
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Gloria D. Hummel, 92, passed away Sunday, March 30th, at Providence Place Senior Living, Pottsville, where she had been a resident.
Born in Washington Township on April 25, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Charles & Rebecca Brown.
She was the widow of Joseph A. Hummel, who passed away January 16, 1993.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is also preceded in death by her companion, Daniel Levengood, grandson, David Hummel, and siblings: Lewis Brown, Anna Hummel, & Fern Roeder.
Gloria had been employed as a seamstress by Alpha Mills.
A member of St. John’s Reformed Church, Friedensburg, Gloria was active in the Praying Hands and Willing Works groups.
She was a life member of the Friedensburg Fire Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary. Gloria also belonged to the Schuylkill Promenades, and the Hickory Run Arounds.
Gloria was the loving mother of four sons: Randall, husband of Sandy Hummel, of Stevens, PA, Glenn, husband of Yvonne Hummel, of Pine Grove; Rodney, husband of Faye Hummel, of Schuylkill Haven; & Charles, husband of Cynthia Hummel, of Pottsville; and one daughter, Lesa, wife of Randy Frederick, of Friedensburg. She was affectionately known as “Mem” by her 12 grandchildren: Mark, Rebecca, Valerie, Stacey, Corey, Jay, Robin, Charles Jr., Pamela, Dana, Nicole, & Corrine, 27 great-grandchildren, & 3 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by nieces & nephews.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, April 4th at St. John's Reformed Church, Friedensburg, with Rev. Matt Kenitzer and Rev. Brian Reading co-officiating. A Viewing will be held at the church from 10 AM until the time of service.
Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
The family prefers remembrances in the form of contributions to St. John’s Reformed Church Cemetery, PO Box 58, Friedensburg PA 17933 or National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, PO Drawer 498, Emmitsburg MD 21727 in memory of Joseph Hummel.
Gloria D. Hummel, 92, passed away Sunday, March 30th, at Providence Place Senior Living, Pottsville, where she had been a resident.
Born in Washington Township on April 25, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Charles & Rebecca Brown.
She was the widow of Joseph A. Hummel, who passed away January 16, 1993.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is also preceded in death by her companion, Daniel Levengood, grandson, David Hummel, and siblings: Lewis Brown, Anna Hummel, & Fern Roeder.
Gloria had been employed as a seamstress by Alpha Mills.
A member of St. John’s Reformed Church, Friedensburg, Gloria was active in the Praying Hands and Willing Works groups.
She was a life member of the Friedensburg Fire Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary. Gloria also belonged to the Schuylkill Promenades, and the Hickory Run Arounds.
Gloria was the loving mother of four sons: Randall, husband of Sandy Hummel, of Stevens, PA, Glenn, husband of Yvonne Hummel, of Pine Grove; Rodney, husband of Faye Hummel, of Schuylkill Haven; & Charles, husband of Cynthia Hummel, of Pottsville; and one daughter, Lesa, wife of Randy Frederick, of Friedensburg. She was affectionately known as “Mem” by her 12 grandchildren: Mark, Rebecca, Valerie, Stacey, Corey, Jay, Robin, Charles Jr., Pamela, Dana, Nicole, & Corrine, 27 great-grandchildren, & 3 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by nieces & nephews.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, April 4th at St. John's Reformed Church, Friedensburg, with Rev. Matt Kenitzer and Rev. Brian Reading co-officiating. A Viewing will be held at the church from 10 AM until the time of service.
Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
The family prefers remembrances in the form of contributions to St. John’s Reformed Church Cemetery, PO Box 58, Friedensburg PA 17933 or National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, PO Drawer 498, Emmitsburg MD 21727 in memory of Joseph Hummel.
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Mardelle was born in Orwigsburg on January 15, 1925, a daughter of the late Mary Christiana (Shoener) and Bright Augustus Berger. She was the widow of Frederick Deibert. They were married September 10, 1949.
Mardelle graduated from Orwigsburg High School, class of 1942 and was also a graduate from the Reading Business School.
She was a faithful member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Orwigsburg, where she was a former member of the consistory and also a Sunday school teacher for over 50 years. She was a former Brownie leader and PTA President and enjoyed singing with the Golden Girls. She worked as a secretary her entire life. She was an avid reader and loved to travel. Mardelle enjoyed many years of playing pinochle with her card club.
Mardelle is survived by two daughters, Susanne Hartman, wife of Ricci and Diane Schlegel, widow of Brooke, as well as a sister, Mary Ann, wife of Gale Sterner
She is also survived by grandchildren Alison Bauer, wife of Mark, Denver, CO Rebecca Bachert, wife of Jared, Orwigsburg, Sarah Renninger, wife of Michael, Eustis, FL.; great grandchildren Ryan Bauer, husband of Marcela, Missoula, MT; Aden Bauer, Denver, CO, Corporal John Bachert, husband of Mallory, Camp Pendleton, CA, Jared Bachert, Orwigsburg and Hartlee Renninger, Eustis, FL. Great great grandson Riley John Bachert, CA.
She was preceded in death by her brothers Gerald Berger, husband of Peg, Jay Berger, widower of Ruby and Willis Berger, husband of Barbara.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, April 12 at 11:30 AM at St. John's United Church of Christ, 236 E. Market Street, Orwigsburg with Rev. Jeff Johnson officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 10:30 AM until the time of service.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John's United Church at the address above. Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements.
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James H. Houser Sr., 81, of Brown Lane, Ashland, passed away March 30, 2025, at the Lehigh Valley Medical Center, Cedar Crest, Allentown. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, will announce funeral arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
