Skook News Obituaries: August 26th, 2020
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Joseph J. Morba, age 86, of Buck Mountain, died Wednesday morning at St. Luke's Hospice in Bethlehem.
Born at the former Locust Mountain Hospital he was the son of the late Frank & Anna (Kotch) Morba. He attended Mahanoy Township Schools and was a member of St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Mahanoy City and was a life member of the Good American Hose Company # 3 also of Mahanoy City He had worked for and retired as a truck driver from Jeddo Highland Coal Company. He enjoyed listening to big band music, watching classic movies and watching baseball and his favorite team the Mets.
He is survived by a sister Dolores Kozie of Buck Mountain as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Private services will be held from David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City with interment in St. Casimir's Cemetery in Mahanoy Township.
Contributions in Joe's name to the charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family. Please sign the guest book at www.jarrettfuneralhome.com.
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Sandra Jean Lombardo, 74, New Ringgold, passed away peacefully Wednesday at her residence.
Born in Pen Argyl she was a daughter of the late Oswald and Pearline Gable Fenner. She had been employed as a cashier for several local business and was presently a cashier at Walmart in Lehighton.
She will be fondly remembered for her specialty work as the owner of Sandy’s Stained Glass.
Sandy is survived by her son Joseph Lombardo and his fiancé Holly Hoff, Mountain Top, her daughter Lisa wife of Kevin Lobb, Bangor, her sister Linda wife of Steve Doviak, Port Orange, FL, her beloved grandchildren; Robert, Amy, Kevin, David, Cody and Kyle, her great-grandson Logan her niece Michelle and her spouse Debra Dech and will be sadly missed by her beloved cat Kiki also by nieces and nephews.
Services and interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
Thomas Sullivan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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Marian M. Stranko, 95, of Pottsville, passed away on Tuesday afternoon at Schuylkill Center, Pottsville, with her loving family by her side.
Born in Minersville, on May 17, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Roy and Florence (Smith) Heckman.
She was a graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School.
Marian was a member of St. Patrick R.C.C., Pottsville and the former Pottsville Club.
She worked at Met-Life Insurance Company and was an office manager for Stranko Accounting, retiring in 1994.
Marian most enjoyed spending time with her family, dining out with family and friends, and vacationing at the beach.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Stranko, in May 1991, and to whom she was married for 39 years; brothers, William, Donald, and Robert; and sisters: Alice, Jean, Betty, and Hazel.
Marian is survived by her daughter, Jill M. Hutt, wife of Steven, of Wilmington, DE; sons: John “Jack”, of Schuylkill Haven; and David, and his fiance, Karen Bush, of Schuylkill Haven; grandchildren: Jessica Moran, Kelly Hutt, Bradley and Scott Bush; great grandchildren: Riley, Brady, Brody, Jaxon, Aaliyah, and Drake; and many nieces and nephews, including Kim, who looked after and cared for Marian for several years.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 31st, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Msg. William Glosser. A viewing will be held on Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville and on Monday morning at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the procession will leave for church.
The family requests contributions in Marian’s memory be sent to St. Patrick R.C.C., 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA 17901 or the BrightFocus Foundation (Alzheimer’s Association), 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871
Interment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com
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Dawn Jean (Kleman) Reber, 77, of Minersville, passed at home with her loving family by her side after an 18-month battle with cancer.
Born on August 12, 1942 in Mt. Carbon, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Kleman and the late Olive Kleman. Dawn had four sisters, Sylvia Rizzuto, Sandra Goodman, Kathleen Bobbins and Janet Schumm along with one brother, Joseph Kleman who predeceased her. Dawn’s passion was riding and showing horses. For more than 30 years, she owned and trained Quarter horses. Dawn would regularly compete and win competitions in Berks, Lebanon and Lehigh Counties along with competitions in the State of Maryland. Dawn also enjoyed baking and would regularly bake for her family and events in the community. Dawn was a devoted member of the First Congregational Church in Minersville. She regularly donated her time at charitable events at the First Congregational Church along with the Goodwill Fire and Ambulance Company in Minersville.
Dawn is survived by her husband, Allen Reber, Sr. who was happily married to Dawn for 56 years, a son, Allen Reber, Jr., Pottsville, a son-in-law, Joseph M. Ladick, III, two grandchildren, Joseph A. Ladick and Cassandra Griffiths along with multiple nephews and nieces, Lori, Cindy, Todd, Christine, Douglas, Gary, Susan, Edward and Jay. Dawn is also survived by Katherine Harley who was always by her side as well as a close personal friend, Dutchie Ferraro. Dawn was tragically predeceased by her daughter Lynn Ladick who also fought a battle with cancer. The tragic loss of Lynn, who was the mother of Joseph A. Ladick and Cassandra Griffiths, had a devastating effect on the family but through it all Dawn had the strength and courage to guide and help raise her grandchildren.
The family will accept visitors starting at 9:00 AM, Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville. A Christian service will be celebrated at 10:30 am after which Dawn will be laid to rest in Fort Indiantown Gap.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Goodwill Ambulance Company in Minersville, Pennsylvania and the Janet Weiss Children’s Hospital of Geisinger in Danville in the name of Dawn J. Reber. Due to COVID-19, all recommended social distancing, mask requirements, and public safety guidelines will be followed. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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, 87, Low Rd., Cass Twp., passed away Tuesday Afternoon at Providence Place, Pottsville.
Born in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Anthony and Blanche Ganunis Kabana.
He was a graduate of the former Blythe Twp. High School. He was a retired welder. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of Holy Family Parish and St. Matthew’s Church, Minersville and was a member of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Minersville. He was a member of Minersville American Legion Post 544, the United Mine Workers Union and the South Cass Fire Co
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Cyril Kabana.
Paul is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Jean Plesnarski; a daughter, Marcie Cresswell, Schuylkill Haven; 2 grandchildren, Jennifer Jacobson and James Cresswell; a sister, Anna Mae Manzick, Hamburg; nieces and nephews.
Private services will be at the convenience of the family. Internment will be in St Stanislaus #2 Cemetery, Minersville.
Arrangements are by the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, Minersville. To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Paul’s memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com
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Daniel E. Kabana, 74, of Tamaqua, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2020, in his home. He was the husband of Melody (Arner) Kabana. They have been together for over 40 years. They were married on September 26, 1987 and celebrated 32 years of marriage. Prior to retiring, he was employed by the former Atlas Powder Co, and Copperhead Chemicals, Reynolds, as a laborer and pharmaceutical operator for 41 years. Born in Tuscarora, he was the son of the late John and Helen (Starry) Kabana. He was a member of First Congregational Church, Mahanoy City. Daniel was a proud Army veteran and served during the Vietnam Era. He was a member of the Tamaqua American Legion Post 173, the VFW Post 7234, Ocean View, DE, Moss Glen Rod and Gun Club, Tuscarora, and the NRA. Daniel loved to hunt, fish, read books and go to the beach. He was also a WWII enthusiast.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Larry, and a grandson, Zachary.
Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Jesse D. and his partner Frank Ohotnicky, of Scranton, another son, Larry P., of Hellertown; brother-in-law, Blaine Arner; sister-in-law, Nancy Kabana, both of Tamaqua; and two nephews.
Graveside service will be held at 10am, on Friday, August 28, at St. Peter’s Church Cemetery, 184 St. Peters Rd, Tamaqua, with the Rev. Robert Adams officiating. Military honors administered by the Lehighton UVO. Call at the funeral home on Thursday, August 27, from 6-8pm.
Contributions may be made in his name to St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold.
Online condolences may be made at www.hartmanfuneralhomeinc.com.
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, 68, of Fountain Springs, former Ashland resident, passed away Monday, August 24th, at the Mt. Carmel Nursing Center, Mt. Carmel. Born in Danville, June 9, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Merle and Caroline Hornberger Slotterback. She was a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School, class of 1969. After graduation she was employed at the former Yankee Plastics Company of Ringtown, and lastly for the Tri State Envelope Corporation, Ashland, retiring in 2014 after 35 years of service.
Donna was a member of the former St. Mauritius Roman Catholic Church, now St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish, Ashland. She was a social member of V.F.W. Post #7654, Ashland, and a social member of the Clover Hose Company, Mt. Carmel. Her love was playing bingo, casinos, and scratch off lottery tickets.
Preceding her in death was her first husband, John T. McDonald Jr., sisters, Nancy Mills, Jane Poplaski, and June Shutt, also two brothers, Merle and William Slotterback.
Survivors
Husband: William “Rocky” Owens, married 32 years
Brother: Lear Slotterback and his wife Barbara, Cogan Station, PA
Sister in law: Carol wife of Joseph Stofko, Locust Valley
Sister in law: Nancy J. Eisenhuth, Baltimore, MD
Sister in law: Karen Owens, Barnesville
Nieces, Nephews, Cousins
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside funeral service, Wednesday, September 2nd, at 10 AM, in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Fountain Springs. Officiating will be Rev. Francis Iroot, Parochial Vicar of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. A calling time will be held Tuesday evening, September 1st, beginning at 5 PM until 7 PM in the Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, 1323 Centre St., Ashland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hillside S.P.C.A., Hillside Road, Pottsville, PA 17901. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of arrangements.
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