Skook News Obituaries: April 18th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born Sunday, December 3, 1944 in New Ringgold, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Castor (Todd) Titus and Ruth E. (Deibert) Arndt. Merrill was also predeceased by his beloved wife of 52 years, Dolores Joy "Lori" Arndt on Sept. 30, 2018; brother, Kean Arndt.
Surviving are his son, Jeffrey S. Arndt and his wife Sherry; daughter, Jennifer S. Cross wife of Michael; and brother, Kenneth Arndt and his wife Elaine; grandchildren, Emily wife of Owen Miller, Calvin A., Cassandra, and Owen; 2 great grandchildren.
Merrill was a 1963 graduate of Blue Mountain High School and earned his associate’s degree from Penn State University. Merrill, served as a police officer for the city of Reading for over 22 years, retiring as a lieutenant. Upon his retirement he formed 4-Star Electronic Security which he operated and retired from in 2012. A member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Perry Township, Merrill was an avid outdoorsman who tagged many Elk, Caribou, Bear, Antelope and Deer. Merrill and Lori enjoyed leisurely rides in their Mustang.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884
A Funeral service will be held at 11 o'clock A.M. from the funeral home on Thursday April 24, 2025. Friends may call from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services.
Interment will be in Frieden’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.
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Ralph E. Hager, 73, of Tower City, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, April 17, 2025.
Born in Uniontown, on Thursday, April 26, 1951, a son of the late Earl Jr. and Hazel Rexroad Hage
Ralph was a proud United States Army veteran.
He retired from the local quarry industry.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Donald, Sharon, and David Hager.
Ralph is survived by his companion of 39 years, Pauline "Susie" Hylton; four sisters, Faye Glisan, Shirley Vanbreman, Elaine Miller, and Brenda Williams; numerous nieces and nephews.
Following Ralphs wishes, there will be no services.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Tower City, is honored to serve Ralph's family.
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Denise Marie Miller, 61, of Orwigsburg, passed away Thursday, April 17th, at Seton Manor, Orwigsburg.
Born in Pottsville on June 28, 1963, she was the daughter of the late Edward & Annetta (Koch) Zemencik. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Randy Morgan.
Denise was a 1981 graduate of Blue Mountain High School.
She was employed as a certified medical assistant, certified nurses aid and provided in-home care as well as care at Schuylkill Center, Pottsville.
Denise was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ of Summer Hill.
She is survived by two daughters: Hollie E., wife of Austin Dietrich, of Orwigsburg; & Heather S. Fox, significant other of Carl Miller, of St. Clair; three grandchildren: Alexys & Kaylin Dietrich, & Mackenzie Miller, her companion of 20 years, Leon A. Weaver, and her brother, Rev. Curtis, husband of Rebecca Zemencik, of Sacramento, PA.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, April 23rd at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A Viewing will be held from 1 PM until the time of service.
The family prefers remembrances in the form of contributions to Hillside SPCA PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901.
Born in Pottsville on June 28, 1963, she was the daughter of the late Edward & Annetta (Koch) Zemencik. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Randy Morgan.
Denise was a 1981 graduate of Blue Mountain High School.
She was employed as a certified medical assistant, certified nurses aid and provided in-home care as well as care at Schuylkill Center, Pottsville.
Denise was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ of Summer Hill.
She is survived by two daughters: Hollie E., wife of Austin Dietrich, of Orwigsburg; & Heather S. Fox, significant other of Carl Miller, of St. Clair; three grandchildren: Alexys & Kaylin Dietrich, & Mackenzie Miller, her companion of 20 years, Leon A. Weaver, and her brother, Rev. Curtis, husband of Rebecca Zemencik, of Sacramento, PA.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, April 23rd at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A Viewing will be held from 1 PM until the time of service.
The family prefers remembrances in the form of contributions to Hillside SPCA PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901.
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Born in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Anna (Burnick) Gavalis.
Annette was a graduate of Minersville Area High School Class of 1958.
Annette spent several years working for Schoenaman Beauty Supply, Pottsville, and Alcoa, Cressona, until she became a secretary for Millers Plumbing and Heating where she retired. In her spare time Annette loved spending weeks Wildwood Crest beach with her husband along with going to South Bend to attend Notre Dame games. She was also a member of St Patrick's Church.
In addition to her parents, she is proceeded in death by her beloved husband, Richard G. "Dick" "Dickie" Mathews. She is survived by her son Mark Quinn, Pottsville, and his companion, Cornelia "Connie" Black.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home. Online condloences can be left at SchlitzerAllenPugh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the hillside SPCA, PO box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
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Philip J. Leibensperger, 63, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Thursday, April 17th, at his residence. .
Philip was born in Pottsville on August 28, 1961, a son of the late Theresa E. (Heim) and Samuel G. Leibensperger.
He graduated from Blue Mountain High School in 1980, after which time he served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He worked as a welder and was a great pool player and avid hunter.
Philip is also survived by his sister, Susan, wife of John Riley, of Orwigsburg; two brothers, Glenn, husband of Mary Lou Leibensperger, of Orwigsburg and Gary, husband of Linda Leibensperger, of Cressona; four nephews - Steven, Matthew, Casey and Jamie as well as great nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, April 23rd at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg. The public is invited to call from 10 AM until the time of service.
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Born Tuesday, October 25, 1955 in Warminster, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late James and Louise (Shick) Waltz. Linda was also predeceased in death by; beloved husband, John J. Umstead Sr.; brother, Robert "Bobby" Waltz.
Surviving are; daughter, Heather Levengood wife of Michael of Maiden, NC; son, John J. Umstead, Jr. and his wife Lisa of Coaldale, PA; with whom she resided; brothers, Edward Waltz, James Waltz, Earl Waltz; sisters, Betty Waltz, Kerrie Waltz, Louise Conover wife of William Conover, Deborah Finch wife of Steve Finch; grandchildren, Christian Levengood, Jerry Harrison, Keneth Levengood, MacKenzie, and Brantley Umstead. She is also survived by multiple nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces and great great nephews. Plus all of her extended friends and family.
A Warminster High School graduate and homemaker, Linda was a devoted nanny who enjoyed doing word searches, and puzzles while watching TV with her grandchildren while crocheting. She loved playing cards with her son and grandson, day trips to Knoebels Amusement Resort where she especially enjoyed the pool with her children and grandchildren. Linda also looked forward to trips to Hershey's Chocolate world with her children, grand child and extended family.
Private 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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Born in Tremont, October 27, 1929, a daughter of the late Harry and Laura Klinger Kissinger. Phyllis was a graduate of Porter Township High School.
She was of the Lutheran faith. Phyllis could often be found reading and enjoyed sewing in her younger years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl E. Adams, 2007, and a son, Daryl Adams, 2015. Phyllis was the last surviving member of her immediate family, being preceded in death by all her brothers and sisters. She was also preceded in death by a niece, Dolly Mae Rebuck, 2022, with whom she was very close to.
Surviving are her son, Randy Adams and his wife Veronica, Warrington, Virginia; three grandchildren, Thomas Adams (Donna), Michael Adams (Courtney), and Beth Adams-Medina (Julio); five great grandchildren, Noah, Gideon, Elliott, Subina and Gracie; numerous nieces and nephews, including Wendi Sweigert and her family who always was there for Phyllis.
Family and friends are invited to services on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 11:00 am from Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., is honored to serve the Adams family.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
