Skook News Obituaries: March 6th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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John J. Mease, Sr., 96, a resident of Pottsville, passed away peacefully on March 3rd, 2025.John was born in Tremont on August 10, 1928, a son of the late John E. and Elizabeth (Schreffler) Mease.
After high school he enlisted in the United States Army, serving overseas in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return to civilian life, he took a job as a meat cutter with the Greater Atlantic and Pacific Company, retiring after a long time career with A&P Markets.
John was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Schuylkill Haven. He was also a member of the F&AM Lodge, the Lions Club and a former borough council member in Tremont. He was also a member of the Tremont Fire Company and the Tremont American Legion.
John is survived by his wife of 73 years, Anna (Trezise) Mease, and thier children, Robert Mease (Christine) of Myerstown; Patricia Hoff of Texas; John J. Mease, Jr. (Angela) of Elkridge, MD and Sandra Bergan (Robert) of Minersville. Eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren also survive.
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church, 420 Saylor St, Schuylkill Haven, at 11 AM, with Pastor Christopher Fisher presiding. Visitation with John's family will be from 10-11 AM prior to the service at the church. John will be laid to rest with military honors after the service at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville at 1:30 PM.
The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville is assisting John's family during their time of need.
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Bob was born in Shenandoah on March 8, 1937, a son of the late Charles and Helen (Maksimak) Parker. He was a graduate of the former West Mahanoy township High School, and attended business school. He served in the United States Army, and stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska.
He retired in 2007 as a manager for Service Electric Cable TV, being one of oldest surviving associates of the company, starting his career as a cable installer in their early years.
A member of the Divine Mercy Parish of Shenandoah, Bob was a member of the former St. Stanislaus Church. He belonged to the Shenandoah 500 Club, the Shenandoah Heights Fire Company and the Goodfellowship Club in Ashland. An avid walker and runner, Bob was the oldest finisher of the Coal Cracker 10K race last year, and had the distinction of participating in the most races since its inception.
Bob was also a private pilot, earning his certification in 1970, owning several different planes over the years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Raymond, "Danny" Parker; Charles "Cookie" Parker and Edward "Kenny" Parker, and by his wife Margaret "Margie" (Alexo) Parker in 2007.
He is survived by his daughter, Denise Parker of Ringtown and a son, Richard Parker and his wife Mary of Mt. Carmel. A sister, Helen Parker, wife of Fran Kosack of Allentown also survives as does nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 at 10 AM at the Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah, with Msgr. Ronald Bocian, officiating. Visitation with Bob's family will be held from 8:30am until the time of the mass at the church.
Bob will be laid to rest with military honors immediately following mass at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Shenandoah.
The Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is assisting Bob's family during their time of need.
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Ken was born in Lykens, May 17, 1951, a son of the late Dewey and Edna Wolfe Nelson.
He had a very strong work ethic, working as a young boy in George Tallman's fields and collecting trash for Lloyd Gibson's garbage business. He went on to work at Masorwear Factory and later spent 13 years at Fruehauf Trailer Corporation. Ken retired with the Kimmel's Coal Company, where he worked for 26 years as a welder and mechanic.
To say that Ken was a car enthusiast would be a huge understatement. He had a passion for old cars, especially his '29 Chevy. He enjoyed going to car shows and loved working in his garage. Ken could be often found watching cowboy westerns and would know what the show was by the number of gunshots in the opening. Above all else his family meant the world to him. There was nothing he would rather do than to spend the day with his wife and son.
He is survived by his wife, Martha Adams Nelson, with whom he would have celebrated 55 years of marriage with on May 16th; a son, Kenneth Jr.; a sister, Sandy Snyder; numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Ken's Life will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home with Pastor Joel McGarvey officiating. Visitation will be from 10-11. Immediately following the service, a luncheon, or as Ken would say a big party, will be held in the social hall of the Twin Valley Alliance Church.
Memorial donations can be made to the Twin Valley Alliance Church, 9781 US-209, Williamstown, PA 17098.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Tower City, is honored to serve Ken's family.
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Judith Ann Weihl, 61, of Walnut Street , Ashland, passed away March 3, 2025, at the Cedar Crest Hospital, Allentown. Born in Gordon, April 10, 1963, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Annise Wheller Klinger. She attended North Schuylkill High School, and was employed as a custodial worker at the North Schuylkill High School until her retirement. Judy was of the Lutheran faith, and a lover of dogs and cats.
Survivors:
Husband of 37 years: Timothy Weihl
Daughter: Jenielle Weihl, Ashland
Daughter: Sherrie Heiser, Shamokin
Son: Timothy Weihl, Ashland
A funeral service will be held at a later time.
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She was born on August 12, 1959, in Pottsville, and was the daughter of the late Anne Marie McSurdy and Thomas “Fritz” Kessler. A graduate of Minersville Area High School, Class of 1977, Dianne went on to work in the textile industry and at Minersville Elementary Center. However, it was her deep passion for helping others that led her to pursue a career as a Medical Assistant. Dianne attended Franklin Academy, and for nearly two decades, she made a lasting impact at Dr. Soli Travia’s practice in Minersville. Dianne’s most important role in life was that of a devoted mother who showed nothing but kindness and compassion. She was an unwavering source of love and pillar of support to her two children and was affectionately known as “Nana Punkin” to her beloved granddaughter.
In addition to her parents, Dianne was preceded in death by her sister, Deborah “Mac” Cherrybon.
She is survived by her daughter, Erica Cola, and her companion, Tim Steidle, of Pottsville; her son, Jordan L. Cola, and fiancé Lydia Macaluso, of East Stroudsburg; her granddaughter, Abrielle “Abby” Cola, of Boca Raton, FL. She is also survived by her aunt and uncle, Ellen "Lella" and Todd March, of Pottsville; nieces Lora Greco, of Lake Elsinore, CA, and Leeza Bartol, of Orwigsburg; great-niece Mia Parry; cousins David and Darren March; and many other loving family members.
A celebration of Dianne’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 12th, at Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to the Minersville Public Library in Dianne’s memory.
Arrangements are entrusted to Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
