Saturday, December 10, 2016

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 12/10/16



Schuylkill County Obituaries for 12/10/16

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Judy M. Gross, 72 went to join her parents and her brother in heaven Thursday, December 8,2016. Judy resided in Mt. Carmel Nursing 7 Rehabilitation Center, mt. Carmel. Judy suffered from numerous health issues including dementia and essential tremors. She was born January 14,1944 in Lavelle and the daughter of the late Lamar F. Gross Sr and Jean (Schaeffer) Gross. She was preceded in death by her brother Lamar (Red) Gross Jr. She graduated from Butler Twp. High School class of 1962 and worked for the Department of Treasury, Harrisburg as a Clerk Typist for 20 years until retirement. She loved collecting dolls, and was once told to sit on her couch instead of using it as a shrine for her many dolls. She loved to talk on the telephone. Surviving are a sister Shirley Ann wife of William Reed, Lavelle; nieces and nephews: Joanne Vaughn, Ashland; Robert Gross, Girardville, Cheryl Klinger of Klingerstown; Barb Krise of Ashland, Chris Reed , Locustdale and Keri Reed of Ashland. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016 at 11:00 AM from the Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home, Ashland. rev. Rose Marquardt officiating.
Interment in Citizens Cemetery, Lavelle. Viewing Tuesday 9:30-11:00 AM from the Funeral Home. Donations can be made to Hillside SPCA,Joe's Fund, PO Box233, Pottsville,PA 17921. Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Ashland is in charge.

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Eleanor “Helen” Evans, 79, of Mahanoy City, PA, passed away Friday, December 9th, at Lehigh Valley East Norwegian, Pottsville.

Eleanor was born in Yatesville, PA on March 23, 1937, a daughter of the late Agnes (Clark) and George Schlemmer.

Helen had graduated from Mahanoy Township High School Class of 1955.

Eleanor is survived by two sons Joseph, husband of Catherine Evans, of Frackville; George, husband of Diana Evans, of Harrisburg, and 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons.

Services are private at the convenience of family.

Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and send sympathy cards.

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Paul I Schwalm, age 81, of Valley View, passed away Friday, December 9, 2016 at Lehigh Valley Hospital - E Norwegian, Pottsville.

He was born on Monday, March 4, 1935, in Lykens Twp, a son of the late Ira Schwalm and the late Mildred Rothermel Schwalm.

He was a graduate of the former Hubley Twp High School.

Paul served in the US Army Reserve.

He was a tire technician for Klinger & Stehr, Valley View, until his retirement; after retiring he worked for several years for Jesse Zerbe Refuse, Valley View, and for the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home.

He was a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Valley View; where her served as a church trustee, choir member, and communion steward.

He was also a member of the Valley View Gun Club and the Hegins Valley Fire Rescue.

Paul enjoyed hunting, spending time in the outdoors, and attending his grandchildren's sporting events.

Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were his first wife, Nancy Harner Schwalm, and a step grandson, Chase Witmer.

He is survived by his wife Lorraine M Kessler Schwalm, to whom he was married for twenty-two years.

He is also survived by four sons, Scott Schwalm and his companion Gretchen Lentes of Dauphin, Dennis Schwalm and his wife Christine of Hegins, Terry Schwalm and his wife Amy of Hegins, and Jason Schwalm and his wife Amanda of Hegins; three step sons, David Witmer and his wife Julie of Yorktown, VA, Robert Witmer and his wife DeLana of Bedford, NH, and Ronald Wiest and his wife Kimberly of Midlothian, VA; a step daughter, Michele Pigott and her husband Jeffery of Harrisburg; seven grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; two brothers, Mark Schwalm of Spring Glen, and Roy Schwalm of New York; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Valley View, on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Duane Bardo officiating.

A viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Wednesday at the church.

Burial will be made in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Valley View.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 221, Valley View, PA 17983.

Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.

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Ralph J. Farber, 73, of Newkirk, PA died Friday, December 9, 2016 at the home of his sister Theresa. The youngest of 11 children, he was born in Newkirk on August 9, 1942 to the late Francis W. and Anna M. (nee Harkins) Farber. Ralph was a 1962 graduate of Marian High School. Prior to his retirement, he had been employed for 23 years as the cutting room supervisor for the former John E. Morgan Knitting Mills plant in Hometown, PA. Ralph was a member of The Parish of St. John XXIII, Tamaqua, PA and the Father Henry Baker Council, Knights of Columbus, Tamaqua. He is survived by son, Michael R. Farber and his wife Tonya of Tamaqua; daughters, Marie Farber of Quakake, PA and Gina Neumann and her husband George of Lehighton, PA; 6 grandchildren; brother, Russell Farber of Mobile, Alabama; sisters, Dorothy Vadyak of Summit Hill, PA and Theresa "Tessie" Englert of Newkirk; and numerous nephews and nieces. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, 7 brothers, and a sister. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 16th at 11:00 AM in St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 266 West Broad Street, Tamaqua followed by interment in St. Jerome Cemetery, Lombard Street, Tamaqua. Memorials in his name may be made to The Parish of St. John XXII, 266 West Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua.

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Junior L. "Patch" Bettinger, 94, of Tower City, passed away Friday afternoon at his home.

Born in Orwin, August 24, 1922, a son of the late Irvin and Nora Adams Bettinger.

He was a World War II Army Veteran.

Patch was a life long coal miner, retiring from Bush Coal Company.

He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Reinerton.

Patch will be remembered for his strong work ethic and his love for his family.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a brother Kenneth.

Surviving are his wife of 70 years, Alma M. Leininger Bettinger; three children, Sue Ann Corl (Paul), Texas; Hedy Spencer (Rick), Florida and Rodney Bettinger, Tower City; five grandchildren, Steven Rodichok (Renee); Joseph Rodichok; Gwen Parson (George), Angela Lentz (Steve) and Tyler Bettinger (Angela); one great grandson, Alex Rodichok; two brothers, Gary Bettinger (Barbara), Tower City and Ronald Bettinger (Carol), Harrisburg.

Memorial services will be held Friday, December 16th at 11:00 am from St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Reinerton. Burial with military honors will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Orwin. Visitation will be from 10-11 at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial donations should be made to Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg PA 17110.
Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements. To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com