-----------------------------------------------------
Richard J. “Rick” Sosna, 65, of Girardville passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 in Ringtown, at the home of his daughter. He was born in Shenandoah on November 23rd, 1953 to the late Leo and Dorothy Sosna.
Rick was a 1971 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School and worked at Alcoa in Cressona for many years. He was an avid fan of the North Schuylkill Spartan football program and followed them closely. He was a devout Christian and was very active in the recovery community. Rick was an active member of AA and volunteered his time at the local hospital helping people overcome addiction.
Surviving are 1 daughter, Heidi Quinn (Warren) – Ringtown, and 1 step-daughter, Leilani Chesonis (Derrick), 2 sisters, Betsi White (George) – Vermont, and Janet Dagilus (Bobby) – Shenandoah, 2 grandchildren, Tanner and Evan Quinn, and several nieces and nephews.
Scripture services will be held on Monday, June 24th at 7:30pm at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah and will be conducted by his son-in-law, Warren Quinn. A visitation for family and friends will be held prior to services from 5 to 7:30pm at the funeral home. Burial will be private.
For further information and to leave a kind word of condolence please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com
Rick was a 1971 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School and worked at Alcoa in Cressona for many years. He was an avid fan of the North Schuylkill Spartan football program and followed them closely. He was a devout Christian and was very active in the recovery community. Rick was an active member of AA and volunteered his time at the local hospital helping people overcome addiction.
Surviving are 1 daughter, Heidi Quinn (Warren) – Ringtown, and 1 step-daughter, Leilani Chesonis (Derrick), 2 sisters, Betsi White (George) – Vermont, and Janet Dagilus (Bobby) – Shenandoah, 2 grandchildren, Tanner and Evan Quinn, and several nieces and nephews.
Scripture services will be held on Monday, June 24th at 7:30pm at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah and will be conducted by his son-in-law, Warren Quinn. A visitation for family and friends will be held prior to services from 5 to 7:30pm at the funeral home. Burial will be private.
For further information and to leave a kind word of condolence please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com
-------------------------------------------------
Albert Percy Mertz, 70 of McAdoo, Pennsylvania died on Monday, June 17, 2019, at Wilkes-Barre Veteran's Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Born Friday, October 22, 1948 in Hazleton son of the late Percy and Madeline Mertz.
Surviving are daughter, Kimberly Ann Semmel wife of Michael of Palmerton; grand children, Brittany, Daniel and his wife Kayla and one great grandchild; sister, Tammy Solt.
Albert served honorably in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Graduating from the University of Scranton with a degree in Business Adminnistration, Albert owned and operated More Mobility of McAdoo. Catholic by faith, Albert was active in Operation Overcome.
Graveside Military honors will be bestowed on Friday June 28, 2019 at 1 o'clock P.M., Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Annville Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to:
Disabled American Veterans
Gino Meril Veterans Center
401 Penn Ave.
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503
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
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
Born Friday, October 22, 1948 in Hazleton son of the late Percy and Madeline Mertz.
Surviving are daughter, Kimberly Ann Semmel wife of Michael of Palmerton; grand children, Brittany, Daniel and his wife Kayla and one great grandchild; sister, Tammy Solt.
Albert served honorably in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Graduating from the University of Scranton with a degree in Business Adminnistration, Albert owned and operated More Mobility of McAdoo. Catholic by faith, Albert was active in Operation Overcome.
Graveside Military honors will be bestowed on Friday June 28, 2019 at 1 o'clock P.M., Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Annville Pennsylvania.
Memorials in his name to:
Disabled American Veterans
Gino Meril Veterans Center
401 Penn Ave.
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503
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
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
------------------------------------------------------
Whitney Maleeca Lyn Boyer, 25, of Pittsburgh, PA, formerly of Cressona, passed away Monday, June 17th, in East Pittsburgh, PA.
Born in Lancaster, PA on November 4, 1993, she was a daughter of Larry M. Boyer, Sr. and Linda C. (Fisher) Boyer, of Cressona.
Whitney graduated from Hazleton High School in 2012; and Penn State University in 2018.
She excelled in track and field; having participated in States in 2009, and 2012, and was the District 1 champion in high jump in 2012.
Whitney also participated in gymnastics for many years.
She loved music, dancing, and especially fashion.
Whitney is preceded in death by her brother, Michael Boyer.
In addition to her parents, she is also survived by two sisters, Jamie Lewis & husband, Kyle, Mechanicsburg, & Brook Neilson & husband, Ryan, Richlandtown, and two brothers, Larry Boyer, II & wife, Morgan, Pine Grove, & Richard Boyer & wife, Kacie, Orwigsburg, and nieces & nephews: Stephanie, Derrick, Ryan, & Dawson Boyer, Michael & Allison Neilson, and Isaiah Lewis.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted at Ebling-Stabingas Funeral Home, Cressona, PA, at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25th, with Reverend Ethan Levengood officiating.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Interment will be privately held.
Born in Lancaster, PA on November 4, 1993, she was a daughter of Larry M. Boyer, Sr. and Linda C. (Fisher) Boyer, of Cressona.
Whitney graduated from Hazleton High School in 2012; and Penn State University in 2018.
She excelled in track and field; having participated in States in 2009, and 2012, and was the District 1 champion in high jump in 2012.
Whitney also participated in gymnastics for many years.
She loved music, dancing, and especially fashion.
Whitney is preceded in death by her brother, Michael Boyer.
In addition to her parents, she is also survived by two sisters, Jamie Lewis & husband, Kyle, Mechanicsburg, & Brook Neilson & husband, Ryan, Richlandtown, and two brothers, Larry Boyer, II & wife, Morgan, Pine Grove, & Richard Boyer & wife, Kacie, Orwigsburg, and nieces & nephews: Stephanie, Derrick, Ryan, & Dawson Boyer, Michael & Allison Neilson, and Isaiah Lewis.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted at Ebling-Stabingas Funeral Home, Cressona, PA, at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25th, with Reverend Ethan Levengood officiating.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Interment will be privately held.
------------------------------------------------------
Craig R. "Booger" Krause, 63, of Rock Rd., Pine Grove, passed away on Monday, June 17, 2019 at home.
Born on May 1, 1956 in Pottsville, he was a son of Fern Clauser Krause of Pottsville and Herbert and Marion Krause of Pine Grove.
He was a 1974 graduate of Pine Grove High School. He attended Hetzel's UCC, Pine Grove
Craig worked for 43 years at Moen in Pine Grove.
Craig worked for 43 years at Moen in Pine Grove.
He was a member of the Rock Lodge Hunting Camp. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. He started playing softball when he was 12 and coached Teener League baseball from 1995-1997 and was an assistant coach for the Pine Grove High School Baseball Team from 1999-2014. He played for various modified softball leagues. He was a Yankees, Steelers and Phillies fan.
His son and grandson were his best friends.
His son and grandson were his best friends.
Surviving, in addition to his parents and step mother, are a son Craig R. Krause, Jr. of Ashland; grandson, Jedd Krause; brother, Richard and wife Rose Krause; sister Cindy Krause, both of Schuylkill Haven, nieces and nephew.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Noon from the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove with Pastor Barry Spatz officiating. There will be a viewing on Saturday, June 22, 2019, from 9:00 am until Noon at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to a trust fund for his grandson Jedd Krause in Craig's memory. Information will be available at the Funeral Home.
You may send condolences to the family online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
------------------------------------------------------
Casandra C. “Sandy” (Marasco) Grutza, 70, of Ringtown, formerly of Shenandoah Heights, passed away peacefully after suffering from a lengthy illness Monday night at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
She was born January 22, 1949, in Shenandoah, but was raised and educated in Fairless Hills. She was the daughter of the late Carmen and Catherine (Lazuk) Marasco.
Sandy was a 1966 graduate of Pennsbury High School. She then received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bloomsburg State College in 1970. Upon completion of her college education, she returned to Shenandoah and began a 35 year teaching career at the Shenandoah Valley Elementary School. During her early teaching years, she resided with her beloved grandmother in Shenandoah, the late Rose (Levitsky) Lazuk. Sandy also received her master’s degree from Bloomsburg State College, as well as a reading specialists degree. In addition to teaching at Shenandoah Valley, she taught reading courses at the State Correctional Institution, SCI/Frackville for the Reading Area Community College; it was a unique teaching experience, which she enjoyed and found rewarding.
In 1973, she married Ronald D. Grutza, who taught at the North Schuylkill High School, Fountain Springs. They would have celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary on Sept. 29. Though they were not blessed with children, Sandy found special love for the students she taught and cared for throughout her career.
Sandy was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah, formerly St. Stanislaus Church. She served as the vice president of the board of directors of the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society and also as a past president of the Shenandoah Valley Education Association.
Sandy’s greatest interest was singing. She sang in the former St. Stanislaus Church Choir and the Schuylkill County Chorus. She often sang at wedding ceremonies of family and friends. During her free time, Sandy was an avid traveler, having made many trips out of the country, as well as to numerous states. Her favorite travel experience was a vacation in Italy and Greece. She enjoyed going to Broadway Shows and saw many throughout her life. Among her greatest pastimes was shopping, especially for bargains. Sandy also enjoyed gardening. She loved both cats and dogs and volunteered with the Animal Resource Center in Bloomsburg.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her maternal grandparents, Kosten and Rose (Levitsky) Lazuk; her paternal grandparents, Phillip and Caroline (Fabian) Marasco; her uncle, Peter J. Marasco; and her niece, Melissa Ann Benyaker.
Surviving in addition to her husband of 46 years, Ronald D. Grutza, are her sister-in-law, Roseann Benyaker and her husband, Jack, of Norristown; her nephew, Jeff Benyaker, of Norristown; colleagues and dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home. 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. A Mass of Christian Burial will then be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in Divine Mercy Church, 232 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah, with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, pastor, as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Holy Ghost Polish National Catholic Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held from 8 until 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 327, Shenandoah, PA 17976, or the Ringtown Area Library, P.O. Box 120, Ringtown, PA 17967 or at www.ringtownlibrary.org.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah, is in charge of the arrangements.
-----------------------------------------------------
Caroline (Roscoe) Sharon, 97, of West West Terrace, passed away early Tuesday morning at the Rosewood Rehabilitation Center, Schuylkill Haven.
Born in Buck Run, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Nebeshinski) Postic.
She was a member of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Minersville and a member of St. Matthew the Evangelist Church, Minersville. She was educated in the Duncott schools. She was a retired seamstress in the local garment industry. Caroline enjoyed polka dancing, and spending time with her family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her 2 husbands, Del Sharon and Michael Roscoe; 2 brothers Joseph Postic and Steve Postic; 4 sisters, Anna Vudrick, Kate Smitreski, Helen McKendry and Mary Billas; and a son-in-law Francis Condrack.
She is survived by 2 sons, Francis Roscoe and his wife Vincenza, West West Terrace and Gary Roscoe and his wife Lorraine, Manheim, Pa.; 1 daughter, Marilyn Condrack, Seltzer; 6 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Matthew the Evangelist Church 139 Spruce St, Minersville on Friday at 10:30AM. Relatives and friends can call at the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, 328 Sunbury St., Minersville on Friday morning from 8 AM to 10AM.
The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Caroline to the St. Matthew the Evangelist Church memorial Fund. Contributions will be accepted at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Caroline’s memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com
These Obituaries are brought to you by
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory INC.
Mid Penn Bank for $100,000.00 at 2% retroactive to May 29, 2019. 