Skook News Obituaries: April 28th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in East Brunswick Township on January 30, 1936, she was a daughter of the late Harry & Dorothy (Guers) Zettlemoyer.
Ruth was the widow of Leroy Schwenk. She is also preceded in death by three children: Judy Johnson, Donna Schwenk, & Glen Schwenk, and sister, Dolores Brensinger.
She was last employed by Argo Mills in Cressona.
Ruth belonged to Faith United Church of Christ, Landingville where she was an active member of the Ladies of Faith. She also belonged to the Orwigsburg Senior Citizens.
She enjoyed spending her free time with her grandchildren, quilting, completing puzzles, and watching classic TV shows.
Ruth is survived by her sons: Terry, husband of Alretta Schwenk, of Auburn, & Dale, husband of Kaye Schwenk, of Schuylkill Haven; her daughter-in-law, Elaine Schwenk, Auburn; and son-in-law, Larry Johnson. “Nana” is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Jeremy, Denise, Joy, Christal, Amanda, Wesley, Kelsey, & Keith; twelve great-grandchildren and one on the way; and two siblings: Raymond Zettlemoyer, husband of Joan, & Beryl Ayello, Auburn.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 2nd at Faith United Church of Christ, Landingville. A viewing will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service.
Interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be forwarded to Faith Reformed UCC, 8 Church St., Landingville, PA 17972.
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Born in Huntington, NY, he was a son of Steven Egil Melsom of Mesa, AZ and the late Elizabeth Monks. Steven worked as a carpenter for Pleasant Valley Homes, Pine Grove.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his wife, Kristine Jo Melsom-Frindt and a son Thomas E. Melsom.
Steve enjoyed playing the guitar, listening to music and loved to go fishing with his best friend, Dan. He was an amazing carpenter and handyman that could fix anything. He had a fun, comedic-like personality. He had a great love for his children and grandchildren.
Steve is survived by his father, Steven Egil Melsom; his daughter, Nicole Melsom, Ashland; his two sons: Steven R. Melsom, Shenandoah and Christopher Frindt, Hegins; his grandchildren: Juliet, Penelope, Mackenzie and Francis; he is also survived by aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, May 4th from 11 am to 12 noon at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, 403 W. Main Street, Girardville.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Girardville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born Thursday, May 25, 1944 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Roland and Helen (Zutelis) Matalavage. Dennis was predeceased by his brother, Larry "The Beaver" Matalavage; and sister, Delores Cerami.
Surviving are his beloved wife of 55 years, Mildred E. "Joyce" (Morton) Matalavage; son, Dennis, and daughters Jennifer Larrea, wife of Paul, and Aimee Walter, wife of Kevin; and his grandchildren, Nathan, Jack, and Bryce.
A 1962 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Dennis served honorably in the United States Army with the 1st Air Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War where he received both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star Medal. It was stateside at Fort Bragg where Dennis met an Army brat and California girl named Joyce over the intercom, courting her and eventually marrying her and bringing her back to Dutch Hill where she cherished being part of the Matalavage family. Dennis worked for Mack Trucks for many years, and retired from the former Lehigh Asphalt of Tamaqua, where he worked as a driver.
An avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, Dennis also looked forward to bear hunting season each year and joining "The Soley's Gang" at their cabin in Promised Land. Dennis's love of fishing was nourished by his many summer afternoons spent at his parents' home in Lake Hauto. He was an ardent fan of all Philadelphia sports teams, and he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, enjoying the companionship of his cats, and he always had treats available for the neighborhood dogs. Dennis worshiped at St. John XXIII R.C.C. of Tamaqua, and was a member of the Holy Name Society.
An accomplished drummer, Dennis's band, the “E-Z Street” band, will be fondly remembered as the house band of the former AMVETs in Lansford, having played many weddings and social events there throughout the 1970's and early 1980's. Dennis previously played with the Mustangs, and later with Stardust.
Throughout his life, he showed a sincere interest in everyone he met, always remembering their families and stories. We take comfort in knowing that in heaven, his spirit of care and kindness lives on, still watching over us all.
Pending arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Interment with Military Honors will be bestowed at a private service at St. Peter & Paul R.C.C. Cemetery Owl Creek Tamaqua Pennsylvania 18252
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Born Sunday, February 23, 1958 in Kittanning, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late Bernard E. Sr., and Delores Jean (Curren) Kammerdiener.
Surviving are son, Jeffrey Whitley; sisters, Debra Stein wife of Joseph, Melissa S. Walter wife of Lynn Jr., Tammi Ickhoff; brothers, Bernard E. Kamerdiener, Jr., Robert E. Kammerdiener and his wife Lori, Jon Kammerdiener and his wife Karen,; 3 grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews also survive Barbara.
A 1976 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, Barbara was a charge nurse at the former Rest Haven Nursing Home in Schuylkill Haven from 1977 to 1994. Resilient and resourceful, Barb was a devoted animal lover who enjoyed the companionship of her cats.
Pending arrangements entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884
Interment will be in Zion Stone Church Cemetery New Ringgold Pennsylvania.
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Bill was born on June 28, 1943 in Queens, NY and was the son of the late Leonard and Nancy (David) Caruso.
Bill owned and operated his own business, North American Drilling in NY until he retired to his favorite area, Schuylkill County.
It was in NY where Bill met and fell in love with the “love of his life”, Mary. They met when she was sixteen and were married for 53 years until she passed away in 2016. A part of Bill died that day with her.
Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing and especially trap shooting. He enjoyed being part of and helping with youth trap shooting events, he helped organize the first youth team "The Minersville Young Guns" which his grandson participated in. He was once part owner of the Ashland Gun Club and was a member of many gun clubs throughout the surrounding counties. He also supported his local fire company, the American Legion, and was a 40-year member of the Frackville Elks.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Mary, Bill was preceded in death by his grandson, Eric Sawchak.
He is survived by his daughter, Catherine (Caruso) Sawchak and her husband Michael; his son, William Caruso and his wife Melissa; two grandchildren, Erin Sawchak and Domenic Caruso.
Religious services will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 10:45 am at the Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 South Market St., Mount Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, Supervisor. Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko will officiate. Interment will follow in Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Englewood, Frackville. A viewing will be held on Saturday morning from 8:30 am until 10:45 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the North Schuylkill Trap Team, 203 East Frack Street, Frackville, PA 17931, please write “Bill Caruso” in the memo line.
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Kathleen Ann Dowling, age 97, of Port Carbon, PA passed away Friday, April 25th, 2025 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest in Allentown.
Born in Eagle Hill, PA on December 27, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Joseph M. and Helen M. (Yakubonis) Walsh.
Kathleen was a graduate of St. Stephen Catholic High School, Class of 1945. She worked as an operator at Bell Telephone in Pottsville. She was a member of the former St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church in Port Carbon and the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in New Philadelphia.
Kathleen was an amazing mother and nan, who always cared about her family and others first. Nothing was ever too much for her. She will be deeply missed by her family, but her legend is truly embedded in our lives forever.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, being preceded in death by her parents, a son Patrick Dowling; sisters: Helen Bitterlich and Marie Goss and brothers: Jack, Vincent, William, and Joseph Walsh.
Kathleen is survived by her husband of 74 years,Joseph James Dowling, Sr., Port Carbon; a daughter Karen Zawada and her husband Tony, Tuscarora;a son Joseph J. Dowling, Jr. and his wife Jennifer, MA; four grandsons Thomas Rowan, Christopher Rowan, Zachary Zawada, and Shane Dowling; eight great grandchildren: Reilly, Liam, Callan, Finn, Harper, Summer, Francis, and Waylon ; and nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Stephen's Chapel, Port Carbon at 1PM on Friday, May 2nd, with Rev. Edward Connolly officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday from 12-1PM at St. Stephen's Chapel.
Interment will be held private
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Stephens.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
