Skook News Obituaries: October 12th, 2020
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Lester A. Wright Jr., 69, of Frackville, died Friday October 9, 2020 at his home.
Born in Washington DC, October 27, 1950, He was a son of the late Lester A. Sr. and Loma (Castle) Wright
Lester Served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War.
He was a retired Case Worker Income Maintenance at PA Department of Public Welfare, Pottsville.
He was a member of Frackville American Legion Post 398, and Frackville Elks Lodge 1533.
He was preceded in death by son Travis Wright in 2016; sister Jeanne Pelachick
Surviving are his wife of 47 years Chom (Che) ”Sunny” Wright; daughter Loren Wright of Frackville 2 brothers John P. Wright and his wife Paula of St. Clair; Joseph T. Wright and his wife Ann of Atlanta GA, beloved grandson Christian “Bubba” Zeigler, Nephews Anthony, Cory and Tyler Wright; Niece Kelsy Wright.
Private Graveside Services with military honors will be held at from Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Annville, for both Lester and his son Travis. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Schuylkill County Women in Crisis P.O. Box 96 Pottsville, PA 17901.
Nice Hart Funeral Home Inc., Frackville, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be sent to www.nicehartfuneralhome.com.
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Val “Butch” Mentzer, 67, of Mar Lin, Norwegian Township, passed away on Friday at St. Luke's University Hospital - Bethlehem Campus.
Born in Lebanon, he was the son of the late Albert and Arlene Mohn Mentzer. He was a 1971 graduate of Conrad Weiser High School, and attended Albright College. His career in the telecommunications industry began with GTE and continued after their merger with Verizon, from which he retired in 2017.
He was a member and former union representative for the Communication Workers of America. He was also a member of the Mar Lin Citizen's Hose Company and a former Emergency Medical Technician with Pottsville EMS. He was also active in youth sports as a coach for Pottsville Midget Football, and as an umpire for Little League.
He enjoyed woodworking.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, the former Magdalena Goetz; two sons, Gergory Mentzer (spouse, Tara), Lavelle, Butler Township, and Corey Mentzer (spouse, Tricia), Mar Lin; two grandsons, Gavin and Owen Mentzer; a sister, Carolyn “Dolly” Correll (spouse, Charles), Wernersville.
The family prefers donations to the Kawasaki Disease Foundation, 9 Cape Ann Circle, Ipswich, MA 01938 (
www.kdfoundation.org) or to the Joe & Caroline’s Fund, Hillside SPCA, P. O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901 (
www.hillsidespca.com).
Arrangements are incomplete.
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Pamela A. Clark, 60, Frackville passed away on Friday October 9th at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born in Cheverly, MD, she was a daughter of the late Curtis and Patricia Brotherton Dodson.
Pam was a Nascar fan and enjoyed cheering for Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Keith Dodson.
Pam is survived by her two sons: Michael and Mathew Clark, Frackville; her daughter Tammy Dodson, Maryland; her sister Karen Tucker, Frackville; her brother Kevin Dodson, Hazleton; her 10 loving grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews.
Private funeral service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., is in charge of the arrangements.
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Leonard J. Sumoski, age 88, of Pottsville, PA passed away on Saturday, October 10th, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown, after his children were blessed to spend precious time with him.
Born in Minersville, PA on September 23, 1932, he was the son of the late Alexander and Josephine (Wentz) Sumoski.
Leonard attended Minersville High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was employed as an inspector in quality control at Tarkett Flooring Company.
Leonard was a member of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Pottsville, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Pottsville AmVets. He was a youth sports coach for over 30 years, coaching baseball, basketball, and wrestling. He loved watching sports, especially his favorite Philadelphia teams. Leonard was an avid fisherman, gardener, baseball card collector, and reader and was a member of the Pottsville Free Public Library. He was an advocate of Pottsville Area High School basketball and attended all of their games.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Roberta Marian (Shoener) Sumoski on November 7, 2012.
Leonard is survived by five children: Denise Miller and her husband David, Donna Webb and her husband Robert, Diane Sumoski and her husband Kenneth Wise, David Sumoski and his wife Jennifer, and Doreen Hancock and her husband Glenn; six grandchildren: Brian Miller and his wife Jill, Marc Jones and his wife Haili, Dylan Rasbridge, and Alexander, David, and Rachel Sumoski; three great grandchildren: Charles and Cody Bedford and Logan Jones; a sister Rose Marie Skibiel; and nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Pottsville at 10AM on Monday, October 19th, 2020.
Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing on Sunday evening from 6-8PM and Monday morning from 8:30-9:30AM at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home in Port Carbon.
Interment with Military Honors will be held in the Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery in Pottsville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Pottsville Free Public Library 215 West Market Street, Pottsville, PA 17901 or the St. Patrick's Church Memorial Fund, 319 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com
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Richard P. Thomas, 72, of Port Carbon, Pennsylvania passed away on October 10th at home peacefully surrounded by family and friends.
He was born and raised in Port Carbon residing his entire life there.
He was the son of the late John E. (Boots) Thomas and Verle E. (Major) Thomas.
He graduated from Pottsville Area High School in June 1966. He was also a graduate of Ford School of Business, Pottsville.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Port Carbon and also attended Holy Apostle Episcopal in St. Clair.
He held various positions of employment, with the most recent being Wegmans, where he was employed for 13 years until retiring.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were brothers John C. Thomas and William L. Thomas.
He was a loving uncle to his nephews and nieces.
Surviving are the following nephews, James D.Thomas and his wife Traci, Cass Township. Jason E. Thomas and wife Jennifer of Port Carbon. Jonathan M. Thomas of San Francisco, CA. Jodi L. Thomas of Cleveland, OH. Erica L. Thomas of Vancouver, B.C. Canada. Also, great nieces Kameron E. Thomas and Madison O. Thomas. Great nephew Jacob J. Thomas. Many cousins and aunt Dorothy(Bensinger) Major of Providence Place, Pottsville. Brother James Thomas.
As per his wishes interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements. Please send condolences to
www.robertaevansjrfh.com
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Kathleen E. Geiger, age 78, of St. Clair, PA passed away Saturday, October 10th, 2020 at LVHN, Schuylkill.
Born in Saint Clair, PA on April 7, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Andrew M. and Helen E. (Kline) Kovitch.
A 1960 graduate of St. Clair High, she went on to graduate from the Pottsville School of Nursing. She was employed as a LPN for many years at the former Pottsville Hospital until retiring.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister Nancy and two brothers: Junior and Bob.
Surviving are sons Tony (wife Lynn), Todd (wife Karen), her caregivers with whom she resided with, and Tim; grandchildren: A.J., Crystal, Adelen, Jarritt, Alyssa, Devon, Cierra,and Chase; her brother Richard Kovitch; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services are private at the convenience of the family. The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements. Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com
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June Rosalie Reedy, age 84, of Palo Alto, PA passed away Sunday, October 11th, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Schuylkill.
Born in Port Treverton, PA on November 27, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Sadie (Aumiller) Kerstetter.
June was a graduate of Selinsgrove High School, Class of 1852 and a former member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Port Carbon. She loved gardening, sewing, and shopping on QVC.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, William G. Reedy on April 23, 2017 and a brother Larry Kerstetter.
June is survived by two daughters: June Shirey and her husband David, Pottsville and Vicki Hesse and her husband Scott, Palo Alto; seven grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; a brother Lawrence Kerstetter and his wife Shirley, Port Treverton; and nieces and nephews.
A Religious Service will be held at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home in Port Carbon at 10:30AM on Thursday, October 15th, with Regnal Leibensperger, SALM officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing Wednesday evening from 7-9PM and Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30AM at the Funeral Home.
Interment will be held in the Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery in Pottsville.
Please send condolences to
www.robertaevansjrfh.com
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, 81 years of age, of 201 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2020, at St. Luke's Hospital Orwigsburg Campus.
Born Monday, October 24, 1938 in Allentown, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late Paul and Edith (Drolp) Schlosser. She was also predeceased by; husband, Jack Delano, Sr.; daughter, Cindy Delano; brother, Paul Schlosser, Jr.
Surviving are; daughter, Judy Barnes and her companion John Spence of New Ringgold; son, Raymond Reinert of Tamaqua; brother, Robert Schlosser of Red Hill; sister, Kay Butchko of Hellertown; 7 grand children; 18 great grandchildren; step-son, Jack J. Delano, Jr.; step-daughter, Vinnie Delano.
A member of St. Peter's Church of Mantzville, Kathryn was a homemaker. Kathryn loved spending time with family and friends.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884
Funeral Service will be at 11 o'clock A.M. on Friday October 16, 2020 from the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. Friends may call from 9:30 A.M. until time of services.
Interment will be in St. Peters Church Cemetery, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
online condolences may be sent by visiting
www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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, 29 years of age of Barnesville, Pennsylvania died on Sunday, October 11, 2020, upon arrival St. Luke's Hospital Lehighton Campus.
Born in Camp Hill she is the daughter of Van K., and Dierdre (Morrison) Garrett. Also surviving are; son, Aiden R. Miller, daughter, Renne R. Miller, sisters, Desiree Gephardt and Amber Garrett; maternal grandfather, Bill Morrison and his companion Gloria Gerhard; step-maternal grandfather Peter M. Yasenchak; nieces, Alayna, Angelica; nephews, Larry and Kenny.
Lauren was a graduate of Red Hill High School.
Private arrangements 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
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Renee L. Sassaman, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, 64 years of age of Pine Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 11, 2020, at home.
Born Wednesday, April 4, 1956 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late Russell and Joyce (Miller) Murphy. She was also predeceased by; sisters Karen Terry, Rochelle Murphy; brothers, Michael J. Murphy who passed away on October 4, 2020, Russell Murphy, Jr., and Ronald Murphy.
Surviving are; her husband of 45 years, Edward R. Sassaman; daughter, Kathy L. Sassaman of Tamaqua; brothers, Craig Murphy and his wife Betsy of Jim Thorpe, Richard Murphy and his wife Anne of Coaldale; sisters, Joyce Nalesnik of Lansford, Doris Arsenault of Coaldale, Patricia Swartz and her companion Smokey of Nesquehoning, Palma Michlovsky wife of Leonard of Nesquehoning, Kimberly Betz wife of Francis of Tamaqua, grand children whom she adored, Edward Moore, and Skyler Moore and his fiancée Emily Hartzell.
Renee was a 1974 graduate of Panther Valley High School. She was an active member of the Tamaqua American Legion Auxiliary having served for many years in the Honor Guard, where she marched in local parades and assisted in the presentation of colors for deceased veterans. Renee loved her family. She will be missed by all.
Private 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
Memorials in her name to the Tamaqua American Legion 206 West Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252
Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
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Allen M. Lucas, 67, of Deep Creek Road, Ashland, passed away at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, Allentown. Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, will announce funeral arrangements.
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Five people were displaced early Sunday after a fire destroyed a home in Port Carbon.
