Monday, December 18, 2017

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 12/17/2017



Schuylkill County Obituaries for 12/17/2017



---------------------------------------------------------

Don "Monk" Matalavage, 81, of Tamaqua, PA died on Friday, December 15, 2017 at home. Born in New Philadelphia, PA on June 15, 1936, he was the son of the late Andrew and Marie (nee Shaudis) Matalavage. 

A 1953 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Don attended Albright College and Mount Saint Mary's. In 1964 he started working for the Borough of Tamaqua as Supervisor of the sewer treatment plant. For 3 years he was the Public Works Director for the Tamaqua Borough. Twice he was the acting Borough Manager and then in 1975 was hired as the Borough Manager, a position he held for 25 years until his retirement. 

Don was a former member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He loved to hunt, fish, trap, and cook; was a great athlete and an amazing dart shooter; and was an avid gardener. Although Don didn't say much, he was very smart and a great father. 

Don is survived by daughter, Linda Toth and her husband Michael of West Penn Township, PA; sons, Brad Matalavage and his wife Kirsten of Nesquehoning, PA, Barry Matalavage of Tamaqua, and Bruce Matalavage of Tamaqua; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; former wife, Linda Matalavage of Tamaqua; companion, Anastasia Gibas of Tamaqua; sister, Elaine Trudich of Tamaqua; and nephew, Stephen Matalavage. 

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorials in Don's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 101 West Frack Street, Frackville, PA 17931. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA.

---------------------------------------------------------

Barbara M. Sekula, 82, a guest at the Shenandoah Senior Living Community, formerly a resident of Brandonville,was called home by her Lord on Saturday, December 16th, 2017.

Barbara was born in Shenandoah on September 6, 1935, a daughter of the late Ethel (Shirey) and John Wrubleski.

She was a graduate of the former JW Cooper High School, and moved with her husband to the Riverside, New Jersey area in 1961, where she worked for Gambles. Moving back to Brandonville in 1978, she worked for and was retired from the former Sears department store in Frackville.

Barbara put her heart into her church, being a devout member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Brandonville.

Having a strong sense of family, a kind heart and a green thumb, she understood a garden required patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them - the same concept that goes for family, and she nourished her family.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, John Sekula in 1995; two brothers, Albert and Jack Wrubleski and a sister Shirley Belzo.

Barbara is survived by two sons Robert Sekula, Sr., and his wife Patricia, of Brandonville; John Joseph Sekula, Jr. and his wife Linda, of North Carolina.

She was 'Grammy' to five grandchildren, Robert Sekula Jr.; Crystal Sekula; Anthony Sekula, Sr; Mary Sekula and Kelly Lattimore. Six great grandchildren survive, Destiny Sekula; Anthony Sekula, Jr.; Robert Sekula, III; Jeremiah Sekula; Rachael Sekula and Antonio Lattimore. Nieces and nephews also survive.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church in Brandonville, at 11 AM on Friday, December 22nd, 2017. Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing from 10-11 AM at the church prior to the service.

Barbara will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Brandonville Union Cemetery, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are asked be made to St. John's Lutheran Church c/o Barb Prosick, Ringtown, PA 17967.


---------------------------------------------------------



---------------------------------------------------------

Sponsored By