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Ruth E. (Thomas) Heffner, 70, of Mahanoy Elderly Apartments, Mahanoy City, formerly of Shenandoah, passed away unexpectedly Sunday at the home of her son, John, in Turkey Run, Shenandoah.
Born in Shenandoah, December 25, 1948, she was a daughter of the late Earl and Emily (Henninger) Thomas.
Prior to her retirement, she was employed as a nurse’s aide at Rest Haven Nursing Home, Schuylkill Haven, and was also employed at the former A&E Hanger, Ringtown.
Ruth was a member of the former First United Methodist Church, Shenandoah.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her son, David J. Hower, and her brother, Donald Thomas.
Surviving are two sons, John Michael Hower, of Turkey Run, Shenandoah, and Earl Heffner, of Shenandoah; five grandchildren, Ben, Lindsay, Cody, Alize and Shiann; two brothers, Roland “Ronnie” Thomas, of Shenandoah, and Kenneth Thomas and his wife, Mary Anne, of Ashland; one sister, Shirley Wright, of Freeland; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Religious services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. The Rev. Mindy Heppe will officiate. A viewing will be held from 9 until 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Graveside interment services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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Ralph R. "Sam" Reiner, 83, of Muir, passed away Monday, June 3rd at his home after a brief illness.
Born in Muir, May 30, 1936, a son of the late Ralph and Ida Bressler Reiner.
He was a 1954 graduate of Porter High School. Sam proudly served his country with the United States Army, where he was an intelligence analyst of the Special Troops Headquarters Co. in Heidelberg, Germany.
Sam was a retired machinist from the former AMP, Inc., Tower City.
He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, Muir; Muir Fire Company and the Tower City American Legion.
Sam spent many days at his family's camp, "Reiners Camp" which brought him great joy. He enjoyed taking his "Wild Life Rides" with his family throughout the valley. His greatest joy was his family, especially his grandchildren. He will be remembered for being their biggest fan and never missing a sporting event. You could always count on hearing Sam cheering from the stands.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Alfred Reiner and a sister Vera Hunter.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Catherine "Kay" Smyk Reiner; three daughters, Renita Hawk and her husband, John, Tower City; Renee Rodichok and her husband Dave, Williamstown and Rhonda Miller and her husband Jason, Muir; one sister, Anna Carl, Maryland; four grandchildren, Riley Rodichok; Rayanne Hawk, Brady and Brenna Miller.
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 7th at 11:00 am from the Grace United Methodist Church with Pastor Annette Shutt. Burial with military honors will be in the Methodist Cemetery, Muir; Visitation will be from 10-11 at the church. Memorial donations in Sam's name can be made to Grace U.M. Church, 101 E. Wiconisco Street, Muir PA 17957 or Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Lingelstown Road, Harrisburg PA 17110. The Dimon Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com
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