Skook News Obituaries: April 17th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Joe was a proud graduate of Mahanoy Area High School. Throughout his life, he was actively involved in his community as a member of the Good American Fire Company, Moss Glen Gun Club, Mahanoy City Social Club, and Athletic Club. His career spanned several respected positions, including roles at Kaczmarczyk Beer Distributor, Jack Ryan and Sons, Kovatch Motors, and the PA Turnpike Commission. Joe had a passion for hunting and fishing, which he enjoyed immensely.
He is survived by his sister, Anna Rodriguez. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Joanne Rodriguez.
A funeral service will be held at Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Mahanoy City, PA, at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 22nd, with Deacon Dave Henninger officiating. Friends and family are invited to call on Tuesday from 9 to 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Mahanoy City, PA.
Arrangements are under the care of Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Please visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and send sympathy cards.
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LeeAnn Bitting, 66, formerly of Branchdale, passed away Tuesday April 16, 2025 at Broad Mountain Nursing and Rehab, Frackville.
Born in Philadelphia March 14, 1959 she was a daughter of the late Harold E. and Patricia M. (Yohey) Bitting.
She worked at C.P. Lighting for many years in many different capacities and was also the produce manager at Radziewicz Markets. Her most rewarding job was providing childcare to her grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was a former member of St. Vincent Roman Catholic Church.
LeeAnn was preceded in death by 3 Brothers Kevin Bitting; Wayne Bitting and Brian Bitting; a Sister Patricia Meza; Nephew Joshua Bitting; Niece Lauren Murphy.
Surviving are her son Corey Renninger and his wife Jolene of St. Clair; Grandchildren Payton and Cole Renninger; 2 sisters Janine Sapp and her husband Michael of Schuylkill Haven; Erin Murphy and her husband Kenneth of Llewellyn; Nieces and Nephews Brian Bitting; Kieth Bitting; Megan Clauson; Caleb bitting; Emma Bitting; Brielle Bitting; Devon Meza Rushanan; Michael Sapp; Matthew Sapp; Meredith “Rosie” Sapp; Zachary Bitting; Ian Bitting; Kailee Lubrano; Luke Murphy.
Services will be announced at a later date.
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William B. Thompson, Jr., 62, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Sunday, April 13th, at St. Luke's University Hospital - Bethlehem Campus.
Born in Pottsville on June 12, 1962, he was the son of William B. Thompson, Sr., of Schuylkill Haven, and the late Kathryn (Tracy) Thompson. He was proud to call his stepmother, Janice (Renninger) Thompson his second mom.
Bill was the husband of Rhonda (Johnson) Thompson whom he met while stationed in Gulfport, MS. They were married for 29 years.
Bill “Bink” was a 1980 Pottsville Area High School graduate.
Bill served in the U.S. Navy Seabees as a Steelworker (SW) for over 21 years. He was fortunate to live and travel across the world. After retiring from the Seabees, he came back to Schuylkill County to settle down and begin his final career as a Boilermaker out of Boilermakers Local 13, Philadelphia.
In addition to his wife, father, and stepmother, Bill is survived by children: Kathryn Thompson, of Lucedale, MS; Stuart Jones (Frankie), of Vancleave, MS; and Stacey Jones-Laughlin (Kyle), of Orwigsburg. He is also survived by grandchildren: Lenon, Kaylee, Cason, Carter, Crimson, Peyton, Channing, Kiya, and Tanner.
In addition to his mother, Bill is preceded in death by his sister, Tama James.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 24th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A viewing will be held at 9:30 AM until the time of the service. Interment with military honors will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
Born in Pottsville on June 12, 1962, he was the son of William B. Thompson, Sr., of Schuylkill Haven, and the late Kathryn (Tracy) Thompson. He was proud to call his stepmother, Janice (Renninger) Thompson his second mom.
Bill was the husband of Rhonda (Johnson) Thompson whom he met while stationed in Gulfport, MS. They were married for 29 years.
Bill “Bink” was a 1980 Pottsville Area High School graduate.
Bill served in the U.S. Navy Seabees as a Steelworker (SW) for over 21 years. He was fortunate to live and travel across the world. After retiring from the Seabees, he came back to Schuylkill County to settle down and begin his final career as a Boilermaker out of Boilermakers Local 13, Philadelphia.
In addition to his wife, father, and stepmother, Bill is survived by children: Kathryn Thompson, of Lucedale, MS; Stuart Jones (Frankie), of Vancleave, MS; and Stacey Jones-Laughlin (Kyle), of Orwigsburg. He is also survived by grandchildren: Lenon, Kaylee, Cason, Carter, Crimson, Peyton, Channing, Kiya, and Tanner.
In addition to his mother, Bill is preceded in death by his sister, Tama James.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 24th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A viewing will be held at 9:30 AM until the time of the service. Interment with military honors will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
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Born in Pottsville, PA on October 31, 1969, he was the son of the late Warren Walter Thomas and Judith Ann (Renninger) Thomas, who survives him in Pottsville.
Shawn was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Class of 1991. He worked at Avenues in Pottsville for 29 years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pottsville and the Mechanicsville Game and Fish. Shawn loved music, reading, and doing crossword puzzles.
In addition to his mother, Shawn is survived by a brother Jason Thomas and his wife Karen and two nephews: Zachary and Alexander.
A Religious Service will be held at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon at 11AM on Tuesday, April 22nd, with Rev. Chris Rothharpt officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing on Tuesday morning from 9-11AM at the Funeral Home.
Interment will be held in the St. Pauls Lutheran Cemetery, Port Carbon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 West Arch Street, Pottsville, PA 17901 or to The Avenues, 2 Park Street, Pottsville, PA 17901; www.avenuesofpa.org.
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Geronimo Rafter, 85, a former resident of Shenandoah, passed away peacfeully on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
Geronimo was born on December 1, 1939 in Shenandoah, a son of John and Bertha Rafter. He worked in sales and as a driver prior to retirement.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated by Msgr. Ronald Bocian at 10 AM on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 at the Divine Mercy Church, West Cherry Street, Shenandoah. Geronimo will be laid to rest in the Annunciation BVM Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights, following the service.
The Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is honored to serve the family and friends of Geronimo during their time of need.
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Theresa Fytte, 57, of W. Centre St., Ashland, passed away Tuesday, April15, 2025, at her residence. 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
