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James Joseph Knowles, 75, of Owl Creek, Tamaqua, PA died on Sunday, August 18, 2019 at home. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris (nee Robertshaw) Knowles in 1986 and his second wife, Georgeann (nee Boyle) Knowles in 2017. Born in Coaldale on May 31, 1944, Jim was a son of the late James J. and Emily “Skippy” (nee Ward) Knowles. A 1962 graduate of Marian High School, he served in the Navy from 1962-1966 during the Vietnam War. Jim worked for Air Products in Hometown for 42 years. He was a member of The Parish of St. John XXIII; served on Tamaqua Borough Council for four years; was a member of American Legion, C.H. Berry Post #173, Tamaqua and the Knights of Columbus; and was an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Jim was an avid Nascar fan. He is survived by son, Shawn Knowles and his wife, Nadine of Tamaqua; brothers, Bill Ward of Westfield, MA, Jerry Knowles and his wife Lorraine of Hometown, PA, and Donald Knowles of Center Valley, PA; sister, Ann Marie Price and her husband David of Tamaqua; and numerous nephews and nieces. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, August 22 in St. John XXIII Church, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua. Interment in St. Jerome Cemetery will follow services. Call 6-8 PM on Wednesday and 10-11 AM on Thursday at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad Street, Tamaqua. Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to The Parish of St. John XXIII, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Martha A. Steficek, 90, of Pottsville, passed away Saturday, Aug. 17, at Providence Place.
Born in Saint Clair, Jan. 13, 1929, she was a daughter of the late Sophia and Stefan Ciulkowski.
She was the widow of Michael T. Steficik.
She was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Church, Saint Clair, Frackville Elks and Saint Clair Old Timers.
Martha was employed by various local textile factories.
In addition to her husband, Martha was preceded in death by her brother, Edward, and sisters, Irene and Sophie.
Martha is survived by her daughter, Carol McDonald, wife of David, Pottsville; granddaughter, Laura Prego, wife of Brandon, Orefield; great-grandchildren, Aiden and Aubrey Prego; sisters, Helen and Jen; brother, Stephan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at St. Clare of Assisi Church, Saint Clair, with Monsignor William F. Glosser officiating. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Interment will be at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Saint Clair.
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Gary L. White, 68, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Saturday, Aug. 17, at his residence.
Born in Reading, Feb. 24, 1951, he was a son of the late Blanche (Ritz) Blair and Wilbur White.
He was the husband of Barbara A. (Clay) White.
He served in the Air Force for 13 years and was formerly employed by at Reading Sheet Metal in the maintenance department.
He was a member of the American Legion and loved being with family and friends. He enjoyed going fishing and selling toys at flea markets.
Gary was preceded in death by his siblings, Wilbur, Gloria, Carol, Sherwood, Jimmy, Barry and Karen.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Michelle Dierwechter, wife of Joe, Hamburg, and Linette Lackey, wife of Leonard, Albrightsville; grandchildren, Kayla McShaw, wife of Amber, Devin Dierwechter, Cody McShaw, Logan and Mia Lackey; great-grandson, Zaid McShaw; sisters, Doris Slonaker, Gladys Shearer and Rose White.
A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday in Berks County Memorial Gardens.
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Joseph W. Bauer, 58, of St Clair passed away Thursday, August 15, 2019 at his residence.
Born in Pottsville, on November 2, 1960, he was the son of the late William and Dorothea (McCool) Bauer.
Joseph was raised in the Catholic faith.
He was a St. Clair High School graduate of class of 1978. After high school he proudly served his country, serving in the United States Air Force as Sergeant.
He was employed by United Metal Receptacle for 25 years and then the Rubbermaid Corp., formerly located in Pottsville.
He had a true passion for cooking.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by son, Joseph Bauer, Jr. and brother, Paul Bauer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Brenda (Chattin) Bauer, St. Clair; daughter, Tanya Svrcek, wife of Marty, Frackville; six grandchildren, Marty Jr., Jacob, Alivia, Sabastion, Julianna, and Dylan. He is also survived by brother, William Bauer husband of Liz, New Jersey; sisters, Hazel Chescavage, Pottsville wife of Don; Dolores Jordan, St Clair; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held 1:30PM on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 W Market St., Pottsville. Family and friends may call from 11:30 until the time of the service at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Queen of the Universe Cemetery, Pottsville.
Please visit SchlitzerAllenPugh.com to leave a condolence for the Bauer family.
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John C. Smith, Sr., 75, of Minersville, passed away on Friday at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Schuylkill – East.
Born in Saint Clair, he was a son of the late William and Margaret Brennan. He had worked for the Quirin Foundry, Saint Clair, and the the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
He was preceded in death by a son, Edward, in 2017; three siblings, Betty Ann Sabol, Hannah Wassel and Robert Smith.
John is survived by his spouse, the former Mamie L. Newisinger; six children, John C. Smith, Jr., Pottsville, William Smith, Pottsville, Marie L. Smith, Minersville, Nancy L. Smith, Minersville, Charles L. Smith (spouse, Kimberly Foss), Pottsville, and Kelli A. Smith, Mahanoy City; eleven grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, Margaret Fox, Minersville, Helen Frantz, Saint Clair, and Anna Frantz, Pottsville; nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
A fire at the Tamaqua Salvation Army has been ruled arson.
