Skook News Obituaries: April 22nd, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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She was the daughter of the late Ralph and Anna (Zawatsky) Chiplonia.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her ex-husband Robert L. Kauffman, a brother Julian Chiplonia, and a sister Mary Hess.
Rose is survived by her daughter Lisa Kauffman; granddaughters: Ashley Nicastro and Kelsey Kabes and her husband Tyler; a great grandson: Oaka Robert Kabes; brothers: Frank and Thomas Chiplonia; and nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday April 24th at 10 am at the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Pottsville.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday morning from 8:30-9:30AM at the Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon.
Interment will follow her Mass at the Schuylkill Memorial Park Cemetery in Schuylkill Haven.
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Born in Philadelphia to Edward Aloysius and Mary Rose (McPhillips) Sweeney on June 10th, 1935, Margaret was a 1953 graduate of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School. Upon graduating, she moved to Schuylkill Haven, where she raised her family. She was a long-time employee of Boyer’s Food Market and an active member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church. Margaret will be remembered fondly for her laughter, food, and love of family.
Margaret is survived by her seven children, Susan A. Nagle-Schwartz and husband, Marvin, of Whitehall; Patricia A. Sutherland and husband, Dale, of Vienna, VA; Mary A. Stramara and husband, Michael, of Schuylkill Haven; Sandra A. Albertini of Minersville; Roy I. Nagle, III and partner, Rita Kocher, of Schuylkill Haven; stepson, Lee R. Fidler, of St. Clair; and Scott C. Fidler and wife, Stephanie, of Harrisburg. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Jane Haney, Louise Lapp, and Betty Haegele.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 29th at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik officiating. Interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park. The family thanks Providence Place Senior Living of Pine Grove and Compassus Hospice Care for their kind and loving care during Margaret’s final weeks.
In remembrance of Margaret, donations may be directed to St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
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Ferne Estella Dietrich of Hegins, born December 28, 1932, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Ferne was a loving mother and grandmother, and a longtime member and volunteer at St. Paul's U.C.C. She had a keen interest in the lives of her family, and was a consistent source of encouragement by prayer and self-sacrifice.
She was preceded in death by her husband Daniel Dietrich Sr.; mother Catherine Klouser; father Albert Klouser; brothers Elwood and James Klouser; sisters Elsie Lohr and Jeannette Morgan.
She is survived by sons Lynn (Joyce) Dietrich, Forrest (Kathy) Dietrich, Daniel (Rebecca) Dietrich Jr., Edwin (Andrea) Dietrich, Mark (Diane) Dietrich, and daughter Amy (Russ) Ney, 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with a Celebration of Life Memorial service at 11 a.m. on Monday April 21, 2025 at St. Paul's U.C.C. Sacramento, PA, with Rev. Raymond Holland III officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul's cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul's U.C.C., 2300 Main St., Sacramento, PA, 17968.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home Inc., Valley View, PA, is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Coaldale, Ralph was a son of the late Franklin Derr and Sophie (Raskoskey) Derr-Davis. A 1958 graduate of Tamaqua High School, he worked for many years as a supervisor of distribution for the second shift at Kraft Foods and, later, as a custodian at Tamaqua Area High School. He had previously held a position as manager of Genetti’s at both the Hazleton and Tamaqua stores.
Ralph was a devout member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua, where he participated in many church activities, including the former Men’s Chorus, the church bowling league, the culinary group, and the thrift store. He was also a very active member of the South Ward Fire Co., where he could often be found preparing food for company events.
Ralph was a passionate supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles, but his true love was his grandchildren and the family dogs.
Surviving are three sons, Jeff A. Derr and his wife, Kathleen, of Tamaqua; David A. Derr and his companion, Judy Reed, of Tamaqua; and Corey A. Derr and his wife, Courtney, of Hackettstown, NJ. Also surviving are two daughters, Melinda Boyer of Schuylkill Haven, and Maria Derr and her companion, Mark Bower, of Tamaqua; four grandchildren, Briann Derr, Justin Boyer, Kyle Boyer, and Crystal Boyer; and great-grandchildren, Gigi Flexer, Nikko Flexer, Scarlette Heiter, Delilah Heiter, and one on the way.
He was predeceased by a brother, Michael Derr.
Services will be held at 10 AM on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 101 North Greenwood Street, Tamaqua, with The Rev. Cindy White officiating. Interment in Sky View Memorial Park, Hometown, will follow.
Call 6–8 PM, Thursday, April 24, at the Zizelmann-Roche Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, and 9–10 AM, Friday, April 25, at the church.
Memorials in his name may be made to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 101 North Greenwood Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252, or the South Ward Fire Company, 325 Van Gelder Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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David J. Hoenich, 70, of Minersville, died Monday at his residence.
All Services are private. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville