Skook News Obituaries: April 5th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Valeria, also known as Val or ‘Cookie’, was born in Arnot’s Addition in 1937, the daughter of the late Anthony and Victoria Bruss Marcavage. When she was in 6th grade, her family moved into St. Clair, where she lived for the rest of her life. She graduated from St. Clair High School and earned a B.S. in Education from Bloomsburg State Teachers’ College. In 1960 she began teaching 4th grade at St. Clair Elementary School and later became a reading specialist. She earned a Master’s in Education from Bloomsburg, and ran St. Clair’s federally funded reading program for 15 years. She was nominated as PA Teacher of the Year (1984) and later retired after 34 years of teaching.
Although her classroom duties ended, she continued to serve her community through a wide range of municipal and volunteer activities. In 1994, she became the first woman ever elected to the St. Clair Borough Council and she served on various committees including the Boone Park Committee, one of her passion projects. Developing the park allowed her to integrate her love of history with her desire to provide safe and welcoming spaces for children, families, and residents of the Borough. Her work on the park with Commander Steve Petroff, of the U.S. Navy, won her a standing ovation at the Pentagon when the Commander retired from his post. She was also a member of the PA State Education Association, the National Education Association, the St. Clair Area Education Association, the Lithuanian Women’s Club of Schuylkill County, the Frackville Ladies of the Elks, Delta Kappa Gamma (Women in Education Society), St. Clair Historical Society, the Rosary Altar Society of Immaculate Conception Church, and the Women’s Group of St. Clare of Assisi Church. She shared her pride in St. Clair while touring communities all over the world with her husband Earl. They visited Italy, Ireland, Wales, England, New Zealand, and other global destinations, as well as 49 U.S. state capitals.
Val was preceded in death by her sister Virginia (Marcavage) Hinkle, beloved daughter Lynn Davis Trier, and her devoted husband Earl Davis. They celebrated 62 years of marriage prior to Earl’s death in 2021. She is survived by her sisters Lucy Fox and Rita Postick of Pottsville; Sister-in-Law Sandy Jordan of Ashland ; Son-in-Law Paul Trier of Philadelphia; Godchildren Richard McElvaney of TX, Angela Jordan of Mt. Joy;, and Brenda Wabby Day of Chicago, IL — as well as many nieces and nephews and their children.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday April 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM in St. Clare of Assisi RC Church, 250 E. Hancock St., St. Clair, PA. Friends may call at the church Monday from 9 AM to 11AM. The Rev. Monsignor William Glosser will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Clare of Assisi Memorial Fund.
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Born Monday, July 28, 1941 in Coaldale Pennsylvania the daughter of the late George Clifford, and Ferne I. (Eberts) Hill. Sandra was also predeceased by; beloved husband, John T. "Jay" Webb; brother, Arlin G. Hill.
Surviving are; sister, Yvonne L. Mikruk and her husband Donald; nephew, Donald G. Mikruk and his wife Danielle; nieces, Denise L Dietrich wife of Scot, Jeanine N. Hill - Jacob wife of Merritt and their children.
A graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, Sandra earned her B.S. from the University of Maryland and operated with her husband a successful trucking firm throughout the Southern States for many years.
Private 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 of West Penn Twp. Church Cemetery, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.
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Robert was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 22, 1935, a son of the late Elizabeth (McGowan) and Robert W. Bendetti.
He was the widower of Catherine Constance (Crochunis) Bendetti. She died in 2018 after 61 years of marriage. They were married December 14th, 1957.
He was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church Schuylkill Haven, and he graduated from St. Leonard's Academy in Brooklyn NY in 1953 and attended NYU before joining the Army. He served in the Korean War. While at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in MD he met his future wife, Connie, who was a Schuylkill County girl.
Bob started his career working for Citgo Oil Company for many years. After moving from Brooklyn to Deer Lake in 1973 he worked in the insurance industry and sold new cars at a number of dealerships in the area. Bob finished his career as a finacial advisor and stock broker. For many years he , and his wife, Connie, owned a pool supply and pool installation business, called Haven Pools. They installed over 100 pools in the area during the 80s and 90s.
He was an avid member of the Orwigsburg Racquetball club, He played basketball and softball for many years in the Blue Mountain recreation Leagues. He very much enjoyed family gatherings around the house, especially around the pool.
Robert is survived by his daughter, Cathy, wife of Gregory Yutko, of Orwigsburg; Sons Robert , husband of Mary Bendetti, of Flowery Branch, GA; Douglas, husband of Cali Bendetti, of Tampa, FL; Kenneth Bendetti, of Orwigsburg, PA; and daughter Pam Koshar, of Michigan. daughter in law Dawn Bendetti and sister in law Dorothy Bendetti.
He is also survived by grandchildren: Gregg, Eric, Erika, David, Kevin, Rachel, Emily, Mikaylah, Doug, Jr., Kris & Danielle.
Great Grandchildren Harlow & Booker; Landon; Lane, Ara & Emmeline.
He was predeceased by his son Michael Bendetti, husband of Dawn, April 30th, 2024 and a brother Daniel Bendetti, husband of Dorothy, in 2004
An evening viewing will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, April 7th at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg,
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 8th at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Schuylkill Haven, with Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik officiating. A viewing will be held again from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM on Tuesday, at the church.
Interment will follow at St. Ambrose Cemetery Mausoleum Schuylkill Haven
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
