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Schuylkill County Obituaries for 12/26/16, a longtime Tamaqua Area School Educator, and Coach, died Thursday December 22, 2016 at Blue Mountain Health Systems - Gnaden Huetten Campus, Lehighton.
Survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Janice (Wetterau ) Zlock; daughters, Mrs. Janna Lynn Scheese and her husband David of Sinking Springs, Mrs. Allison Valentine and her husband Jim of Lehighton; his grandchildren whom he adored, Taylor, Mallory, and Makenna.
A 1953 graduate of Lansford High School, he participated in Football, Track & Field, and Basketball. His awards included being selected to the Carbon County All-Star Team in 1952 He was the District XI High Jump and Discus champion and participated in the State Track and Field Championships for 2 years. Frank captained the 1952-53 basketball team, and graduated as the Outstanding All Around Athlete.
After high school, Frank chose to bypass college opportunities to help his family, securing employment at Bethlehem Steel Corporation. While working, he continued to participate in athletics, playing basketball for the Lansford Hawks which had won a city championship with Frank as the leading point scorer averaging 20.9 per game. He also played for the Lake Harmony Lakers, Palmerton Red wings, Tamaqua Bombers, and Tamaqua National Guard.
Frank played baseball for the Valley All-Stars and was a legend for his three homeruns in a single game out over the car barn in Lansford, a feat his father was also was noted for. Frank was also an accomplished fast pitch soft-ball pitcher.
In 1958 Frank enlisted in the United States Army continuing his athletic career. As an honorably discharged veteran, Frank enrolled at East Stroudsburg Teachers College graduating in 1968 and receiving his Master’s in Education in 1972.
A longtime tenured Social Studies teacher in the Tamaqua High School from 1968 to 1998, Frank coached baseball for 18 years, basketball for 11 earning the SIAL Championship as boy's basketball coach in 1976. Upon his retirement the student body dedicated that years year book to him.
Frank was a longtime member of the Lansford Amvets, and in retirement traveled with his wife Janice, and spoiled his grandchildren.
Frank was a 2005 inductee into the Carbon County Sports Hall of Fame.
Born in Coaldale, the son of the late Paul, and Susan (Sabo) Zlock; he was also predeceased by; sister, Mrs. Dorothy J. Widger; brother, Robert P. Zlock.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday January 07, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. from the Funeral Home. Friends may call on the morning of from 9:00 A.M. until time of services.
Interment with Military Honors Odd fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to
Tamaqua High School Athletic Department
One Stadium Hill
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252
Online registry and condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Nelda W. Reinart, 93, a former resident of Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua, passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2016, at Maple Shade Senior Living Center in Nesquehoning, having lived a long prolific life.
Survived by; daughters, Mrs. Margie Holland and her husband Charles of Jim Thorpe, Mrs. Vicki Daniel wife of Gregory of Lititz; son, Darren Reinart of Jim Thorpe; eleven grandchildren and eighteen great great grandchildren; sister, Mrs. Miriam Kester of Tamaqua.
A 1941 Tamaqua High School graduate, Nelda served as captain of the Bugle Corps. She retired from the former Atlas Powder Company of Tamaqua after thirty-four years of services in 1986.
Nelda enjoyed working in her garden, cooking, fly fishing, and hunting. She was an accomplished artist, and member of the Maple Shade Peer Group.
Born Tuesday, December 18, 1923 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late William J. Weston, Jr., and Doris (Brewer) Weston. She was also predeceased by ; daughter, Mrs. Kathy Highland; son, Curtis Reinhart; sister, Mrs. Jean Billman.
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
A Memorial Service will be held at 2 o'clock PM on Saturday January 7, 2017 from the funeral home. Friends shall be received from 1:00 P.M. until time of services.
Interment Odd Fellows Cemetery, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the funeral home.
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Sophie Cooper Niedzwiecki, 96, lifelong resident of Frackville, passed away peacefully December 24, 2016 at Seton Manor Convalescent Center in Orwigsburg.
Born in Frackville, on February 18, 1920, she was a daughter of the late Mikolaj (Mike) and Anastasia Melnick Cooper. She worked as a housekeeper at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Frackville for over 40 years.
She was a devout member of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Frackville where she belonged to the Sacred Heart Society and was the moderator of the Girls’ Sodality of the BVM for over 30 years. Sophie also was a member of the Catholic Daughters and the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, Frackville.
She was an avid bowler. She enjoyed vacationing especially visiting the beach and Disney World. She enjoyed going on the rides and seeing new and different places.
She was preceded in death by her husband Chester S. Niedzwiecki in 1976, a son John in 2016, her great-granddaughter Gabriella Vogel in 2011, as well as her brother John Cooper and her four sisters: Anna Maskalick, Mary Cooper, Jene Cooper and Julia Narbut.
Sophie is survived by her five children: Chester Niedzwiecki and his spouse Doris, Orwigsburg, Ann Jean Shimko and her spouse George, Frackville, Mary Ann Miller, widow of Donald Miller, Morea, Barbara Schweitzer, widow of Joseph Schweitzer, Honesdale and Robert Niedzwiecki and his spouse Marie, Red Hill; her daughter in law, Susan Niedwiecki, widow of her son John, Dillsburg; 18 grandchildren: Dorothy Sterner and her spouse Steven, Deer Lake, Dr. John Niedzwiecki and his spouse Dr. Megan Streams, Nashville, TN, George Shimko and his spouse Donna, Frackville, Joseph Shimko and his spouse Kimberly, Tamaqua, Stephen Shimko and his spouse Lori, John Niedzwiecki and his spouse Stephanie, Burke, VA, Stacey Niedzwiecki, Dillsburg, Donald Miller and his spouse Michelle, Shenandoah, Richard Miller, Morea, Melissa Curnow and her spouse Kyle, Mahanoy City, Nicholas Miller, Morea, Donette Miller, Petersburg, VA, Colleen Miller, Mahanoy City, John Vogel and his spouse Carolynn, Ocean View, DE, Christina Tipton and her spouse Edwin, Tucson, AZ, Derek Vogel and his spouse Jessica, Minneola, FL, Elizabeth Stonewall and her spouse Patrick, Hereford, Sara Gillander and her spouse Christopher, Pottstown; 28 great-grandchildren: Emily, Mason, Devan, Hunter, Hannah, George, Monika, Melanie, Joshua, Samantha, Timothy, Isaac, Riley, Haley, Grace, Jacqueline, William, Ruby, Donovan, Madison, Kaitlyn, Alexander, Ethan, Cadence, Jayden, Corinne, Sebastian and Amelia; 2 great-great grandchildren: Kaeson and Jinn; a nephew Nicholas Maskalick, Pittsburgh.
Divine Liturgy will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Frackville with Rev. Petro Zvarych, pastor, celebrating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Englewood, Frackville. Friends may call at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville on Friday morning from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Parastas will be held at 9 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions be made, in Sophie’s name, to the memorial fund of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church at 243 S. Middle St. Frackville, PA 17931
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Julia I. Brennan, R.N. 91, of Minersville died Sunday at Schuylkill Center, Pottsville.
She was born August 5, 1925 in Minersville daughter of the late Patrick F. and Veronica Burns Murphy. She was a 1943 graduate of
Cass Twp High School and a 1946 graduate St. Joseph School of Nursing, Philadelphia.
Julia was employed as a nurse at the former Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville prior to retiring.
She also served 2 years in the Cadet Nurse Corp.
Julia was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
She was preceded in death by her husband Edward Brennan, in 1973; a son Michael J. Brennan, Sr.; a brother, Harold Murphy; and 2 sisters, Bernice Bird and Joanne Bennett: Surviving are a daughter, Sharon Piccioni, and her husband Robert, Pottsville; 3 grandchildren, Michael Brennan, Jr., Jarrad Brennan, and Marina Refi: 3 great-grandchildren; a brother, Joseph Murphy, Doylestown: Nieces and Nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the convenience of the family from St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions made to St. Michael the Archangel Memorial Fund 538 Sunbury St. Minersville, PA 17954 or St. Patrick Memorial Fund, 319 Mahantongo St. Pottsville PA, 17901. Interment will be private at St. Kieran No. 2 Cemetery, Llewellyn. James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville is in charge of arrangements.
Please share your memories and condolences with the Julia’s family by signing the guest book at
www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com--------------------------------------------------------
Thomas J. Gower, 76, Girardville, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday evening after a long battle with renal disease.
Born in the former Locust Mountain Hospital, Shenandoah, he was a son to the late Thomas J. and Jean Marquardt Gower. He started his career for PPL Electric in the 1960s as a ground hand and retired as a field supervisor in 1996.
He was a member of the former St. Joseph’s Church, Girardville, now St. Charles Borromeo Parish. He served as a lector, Eucharistic minister and CCD instructor for many years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fr. Sheridan Council 748, Girardville, the Knights of Columbus Schuylkill Assembly 4th degree, served honorably in the Army Reserves and served as an assistant coach for the Ashland Girls Softball from 1997 to 2000. He enjoyed shooting darts, golfing and was a "rabid" Washington Redskins fan.
Tom was preceded in death by his granddaughter Tomee Leigh Gower on August 9, 2000, who he helped raise and his nephew Patrick Yackera on April 15, 2007.
Tom is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joni (Boxer) Gower, Girardville; Three daughters: Sherie and her husband Rick Boyer, Mt. Carmel, Sharon and her husband Rick White, Ashland and Erin Gower of Pottsville; Three brothers: James and his wife Barbara Gower, Florida, Bill Gower, Girardville and John Gower of Frackville; Two sisters: Jeanne Joyce, Girardville, Carolyn and her husband Joe Yackera, Girardville; Four grandchildren: Gwen Boyer and her companion Jack Yost, Coal Twp., Christopher and his wife Amy Boyer, Milton, DE, Madison Munley, Pottsville and London White, Ashland; Four great grandchildren: Shain Lily “Bean” and Roudy Yost and Olivia Boyer; his godson, John Fallon Gower, Frackville and numerous nieces/nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, Girardville, Worship Center of St. Charles Borromeo Parish with Fr. Edmund Brennan. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Ft. Springs. Friends may call at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 7:30 p.m. with Fr. Paul Rothermel officiating and on Wednesday morning at the funeral home from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made, in Tom’s name, to the National Kidney Foundation at 30 East 33rd St. New York, NY 10016 or online at
https://www.kidney.org/support
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Guy A. Zartman, 82, of Pitman, a resident of Broad Manor Nursing Home since March passed away Sunday, December 4th, at Lehigh Valley Health Network-Schuylkill East.
Guy was born in Dornsife, Rd, on December 24, 1933, a son of the late Gertie (Kieffer) and Charles R Zartman.
He was preceded in death by his wife Velma G. (Jones) Zartman who passed away in 2006.
He attended school in Leck Kill and worked as a farmer and saw mill operator.
He was a member of the Woodmen of the World Camp #433 of Pitman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and pizza.
Guy is survived by a son,Randy D Zartman; two sisters, Ruthanna Fetterolf and Esther Lehman two brothers, Earl Paul Zartman,Lee Ernest Zartman; two grandchildren Joshua and Amber Zartman; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter Tina Zartman; and two sisters Edith Irene Paul, Arlene Lizzie Wetzel
Private Graveside Services will be held at Salem Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Broad Mountain Nursing Home, 500 W Laurel St, Frackville, PA 17931.
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, 84, of Pine Grove, passed away Saturday, December 24th, at home.
David was born in Palo Alto, PA on June 8, 1932, a son of the late Martha (Graham) Somers and David L. Somers Sr..
He was the widower of Ethel "Midge" (Griffiths) Somers. who died May 13, 2013
He served in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserves for over 30 years.
He retired from Washington Township also was a former Washington Township Supervisor.
Dave was a Past Master and Life member of Cressona Lodge #222 F&AM, Life Member of Goodwill Hose Co. Cressona, Past President and Life Member of Cressona Gun Club Lycoming County, Life Member of Cressona American Legion, Life Member of Friedensburg Fish & Game and a member of Strausstown Gun Club, Pine Grove VFW.
Davie is survived by three daughters, Mildred Somers, of Pine Grove;
Joan, wife of Chet Sattizahn, of Schuylkill Haven; Nancy, wife of James Chudnovsky, of Mohnton; four sons David III, husband of Lori Somers, of Tremont; Howard, husband of Debra Somers, of Petersburg VA; Roger, husband of Kim Somers, of Pine Grove; Robert Somers, of Minersville; he is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren
Also survived by three sisters, Ruthann Fritz, of Allegan Michigan; Joan Moyer, of Schuylkill Haven; Jane Weiss, of Morristown Florida.
A service of remembrance will be held on at Ebling-Stabingas Funeral Home , Cressona, PA, at 9 am on Thursday, December 29th.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday 6 - 8 pm. at Ebling-Stabingas Funeral Home .
Family request donations to PA Wounded Warriors Inc. 1117 Country Club Road Camp Hill , PA 17011.
Interment at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
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Russell L. Peiffer, 90, of Summit Station, passed away Saturday, December 24th, at his residence.
Russell was born in Summit Station, PA on July 19, 1926, a son of the late Annie (Schaeffer) and William Peiffer.
He was the husband of Florence "Mae" (Edwards) Peiffer.
He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ Summer Hill Auburn, PA 17922.
He served in the U.S. Navy.
He retired from Walkin Shoe Factory
Russell was a member of St. Pauls UCC, Cressona Lodge #222 F&AM and Summit Station Amvets.
Russell is survived by two daughters, Ruthann, wife of Kenneth Freeman, of Texas; Janet, wife of Nicholas Rodnick, of Summit Station, two sons Richard, husband of Annette Peiffer, of Elkton MD; David Peiffer, of Summit Station; also survived by 14 grandchildren and 20 great grand children. Russell was preceded in death by a son Brian who died March 1, 2015 and a grand son DJ Peiffer who died in 2007 and 3 brothers Carl, William and Paul.
Religious Service at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc. , Schuylkill Haven, PA, at 10:30 am on Friday, December 30th, with Rev. Mark Dewald officiating.
A viewing will be held Thursday 6 - 8 pm. and Friday 9:30. till time of service at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc.
Family request donations to St. Paul's United Church of Christ Living Memorial Fund Auburn, PA 17922.
Interment at Summerhill Cemetery Wayne Twp..
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Gail M. Ebert, 70, of Port Carbon, passed away Saturday, December 24th, at Lehigh Valley Medical Center, Allentown, Lehigh County.
Gail was born in Pottsville, PA on March 22, 1946, a daughter of the late Mabel and Anthony M. Wallace.
She was the wife of Theodore R. Ebert. to whom she was married 42 years.
She was a member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church Schuylkill Haven, PA .
Gail is survived by two sisters, Barbara, wife of Bernard Troutman, of Schuylkill Haven; Beverly, wife of David Gutshall, of Cressona and nieces and nephews.
Gail was preceded in death by a son Anthony "Chickie" Ebert who died March 22, 2012
Religious Service at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc. , Schuylkill Haven, PA, at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, December 28th, with Rev. Ted Rathman officiating.
A viewing will be held Wednesday 1:30 - 2:30 pm. at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc. .
Interment at Schuylkill Memorial Park Schuylkill Haven, PA.
