Skook News Obituaries: April 9th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Gladys Jean, daughter of George James and Gladys Lydia (nee Pomeroy of Brixham, England) Frantz passed away peacefully on April 7, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Affectionally known as Honey by many who knew her, Gladys was born in Pottsville and raised in Port Carbon. She was a proud life-long Port Carbon resident, having only moved once, and that was to a home across the street. She could readily tell you not only who most people in Port Carbon were, but she often also knew the names of their parents and grandparents. She graduated from Pottsville Area High School in 1967.
Honey worked for many years at ACME Market in Pottsville, and during that time she was proud to hold a second job as a bank teller at the Miners National Bank. She also worked for Meals on Wheels and later in her career she was a cafeteria aide at the John S. Clarke Elementary School in Pottsville. Honey thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the neighborhood kids in the cafeteria at JSC, and she loved Halloween time, when she brought in several of her Halloween decorations and dressed in costume. She fully committed one year to being Sponge Bob Square Pants, to kids’ delight.
She was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church in Port Carbon, where she and her husband Joe were married the day after Christmas 1976. She was an active church board member and worked as the church’s bookkeeper and custodian for many years. After the First United’s unfortunate closure, she and Joe actively attended the United Presbyterian Church in Pottsville, PA.
Honey never let the grass grow under her feet. She and her Joe made many routine trips, especially in their retirement, from Friday afternoons at Texas Roadhouse, Saturday mornings at Cracker Barrell, to Thursday bus trips to the casino. She often insisted on a regular table and became friendly with servers and staff, which meant that she would get to know about her server’s entire family and give them a gift at Christmas.
Honey was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan, as well as a Penn State football fan. She and Joe enjoyed many trips to see the Phillies play, including during spring training in Florida. Honey’s final day was spent listening to the Phillies beat the Dodgers.
Just as much as watching the Phillies play, Honey enjoyed flower arranging as a hobby, and those she loved were often gifted her beautiful flower arrangements on holidays and special occasions.
She was a devoted mother to her two children, Jillian and George, and an especially devoted nanny to her two grandchildren, Avery and Gavin. She thought nothing of making weekly drives to Virginia and then Maryland to help take care of Avery and Gavin, always with gifts in tow. She enjoyed being Aunt Hon to her sister Pamela’s children, Jerry, Todd, Brent and Severine, and to her brother’s son George. She adored her four-legged companions, including her dog Lucy, and grand-doggies Zoe, Gracie, and Quincy, who no doubt were there to greet her in heaven.
She was preceded in death by her parents George and Gladys, her sister Pamela Setlock, wife of Jerome Setlock (d), and her nephew and godchild Todd Setlock.
Honey is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Joseph Matz; her brother George of Schuylkill Haven; her daughter Jillian, wife of Darnell Alexander, both of Upperco, Maryland; granddaughter Avery; grandson Gavin; her son George of Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania; step-son Joseph Matz of Pottsville, father to Madeline (Pottsville) and Julia (Wilkes Barre); sister-in-law Helen Brennan (Matz) of Dauphin, Pennsylvania; many nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to attend visitation on Friday, April 25th, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church, Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, PA. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at the Church with internment to follow at the Schuylkill Memorial Cemetery in Schuylkill Haven.
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He was born in the former Ashland State Hospital on January 24, 1958.
Pete graduated from North Schuylkill High School, Class of 1975 with a passion for martial arts and kickboxing. He dedicated his life to the art and fought professionally for many years. He owned a martial arts studio where he trained hundreds in Okinawan Goju-Ryu and held the rank of Hachi-Dan.
In 2001, he married the love of his life, Tina M. Wagner. They resided in Pottsville since 2004.
He loved to ride his motorcycle, shoot pool, and enjoyed watching movies with his wife and friends. His unconditional love was constant in the many lives he touched. He had a deep love for animals and had a special bond with his little pooch, Ray, and sweet cat, Luca.
He is survived by his wife, Tina M. Olanich; sister, Susan Isabelle Holiday and her companion Bill Bender of St. Clair and her sons, Cory Holiday and Tyler Olanich of Pottsville; sister-in-law, Pamela Murray and her husband Sean and their daughter, Jillian; brother-in-law, Stephen Wagner and his daughters, Sierra and Lauren; mother-in-law, Dolores Wagner of Fountain Springs; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Stephanie Novotny, Melissa Olanich and Evelyn Madden; and father-in-law, Ken Wagner.
Divine Liturgy will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 10:00 am in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Centralia with Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Hutsko officiating. Following Divine Liturgy all are invited to attend a celebration of Pete’s life at the Fountain Springs Country Inn. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, 51 SPCA Road, Pottsville, PA 17901. Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 South Market Street, Mount Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, Supervisor has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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John H. Dillow Jr. of Pottsville, PA died on April 7th at the age of 94 in the Rosewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
John was born on January 22nd, 1931 in Pottsville a son of the late John H. Sr. and Anna E Smolinsky Dillow. He attended Pottsville High School and was drafted into the Army in 1952 where he served overseas in the 5th Infantry Division in Germany.
Immediately after returning from overseas service and being discharged from the military he married the love of his life Carol Francis Knittle. They lived and loved together for over forty years and raised five children until Carol passed in January of 1995.
Prior to retiring he was owner & operator of Dillow’s Garage, Pottsville
John was a member of 1st United Methodist Church and the former Evangelical United Methodist Church, and it’s Men’s Sunday School Group, Pottsville.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Elise M. Schreader and Anna E. Umbenhauer
John is survived by his five children; Donna Bilansky, Pagosa Springs CO, Dawn Kemmer, Orwigsburg, PA, Daniel Dillow, Chromo, CO, Darlene Yanosky, Shamokin PA. and Donald Dillow, Kirchardt, Germany; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
John will always be known as a kind hearted father, a wonderful husband and caring person who spent his entire life helping others. He truly lived the values of loyalty to friends, family and neighbors, honored his country and most of all – loved his family. He can now rest peacefully with Carol.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 16 at 10AM at James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Family and friends are invited to a viewing from 9AM until the time of services. Interment with military honors will immediately at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
John was born on January 22nd, 1931 in Pottsville a son of the late John H. Sr. and Anna E Smolinsky Dillow. He attended Pottsville High School and was drafted into the Army in 1952 where he served overseas in the 5th Infantry Division in Germany.
Immediately after returning from overseas service and being discharged from the military he married the love of his life Carol Francis Knittle. They lived and loved together for over forty years and raised five children until Carol passed in January of 1995.
Prior to retiring he was owner & operator of Dillow’s Garage, Pottsville
John was a member of 1st United Methodist Church and the former Evangelical United Methodist Church, and it’s Men’s Sunday School Group, Pottsville.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Elise M. Schreader and Anna E. Umbenhauer
John is survived by his five children; Donna Bilansky, Pagosa Springs CO, Dawn Kemmer, Orwigsburg, PA, Daniel Dillow, Chromo, CO, Darlene Yanosky, Shamokin PA. and Donald Dillow, Kirchardt, Germany; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
John will always be known as a kind hearted father, a wonderful husband and caring person who spent his entire life helping others. He truly lived the values of loyalty to friends, family and neighbors, honored his country and most of all – loved his family. He can now rest peacefully with Carol.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 16 at 10AM at James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Family and friends are invited to a viewing from 9AM until the time of services. Interment with military honors will immediately at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
