Monday, June 18, 2018

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 06/17/18


Schuylkill County Obituaries for 06/17/18

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John “Jack” Spieles, 79, Frackville, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning at Shenandoah Senior Living Community.

Born in Mount Carmel, he was a son of the late Joseph and Mary McGrath Spieles. He was employed in the maintenance department for the former Schuylkill Mall until his retirement.

Jack was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Frackville and a member of the Fire Police for the Rangers Hose Company, Girardville.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Mary Ann Spieles and Barbara Zanuck.

Jack is survived by his wife of 29 years, Karen Dunleavy Spieles, Frackville; two sons: Tommy and his wife Maureen Pearce New City, NY and Christopher and his wife Danielle Pearce of Fountain Springs; grandchildren: Nicholas Tyler and Emily and by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday from the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville with Rev. David J. Davis as the officiant. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information, please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com

Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.

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Clayton J. Bercher, age 68, of Pottsville, PA passed away Friday, June 15th, 2018 at his home.

Born in Pottsville, PA on November 13, 1949, he was the son of the late Clayton and Josephine (Gerace) Bercher.

Clayton was a graduate of Nativity B.V.M High School. He worked as a self-employed contractor and then as a truck driver for Pioneer Pole Building until retiring.
Clayton is survived by uncles, aunts, cousins, best friends: Kraig Strouse, Jimi Hollywood, Bill Madrigal, Joe Cremia, and Rick Gardner and many other friends.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday June 20th at 7:30PM at the Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home, 208 Pike St. Port Carbon, with Deacon Jack Quirk officiating.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6pm till time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association P.O. Box 15829 Arlington, VA 22215.

Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com


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Steve Trubilla, 95, formerly of Coaldale, PA, died on Saturday, June 16, 2018, in Lehighton, PA 

He was married to the late Julia (nee Boretsky) Trubilla to whom he was married 57 years prior to her passing in 2004. Born October 25, 1922 in New Ringgold, PA, Steve was the son of the late John and Justine (nee Matz) Trubilla. 

Self employed as a welder for most of his working career, he later was employed by the International Union of Operating Engineers primarily as a large equipment welder. During WWII, Steve welded in the Narrows Point Shipyards, Maryland. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Lansford, PA. 

Steve is survived by his loving daughters, Judith Kisailus and her husband Edward of Buffalo, NY, Janice Winsko and her husband Robert of Royersford, PA, and Jacqueline Marie Trubilla of Coaldale; grandchildren, Bryan Winsko and his wife Kristen, Adam Kisailus and his wife Rebecca, and Adrienne Peer and her husband Matthew; great grandchildren, Blake Winsko, Will Kisailus, Sophia Kisailus, Joe Peer, Clare Peer, and Marie Peer; and sister, Teresa Nocero of Pennsylvania. 

The Office of Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, June 21 in St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Lansford with The Rev. Peter Honish officiating. Interment in the parish cemetery in Summit Hill, PA will follow the liturgy. Call 6-8 PM on Wednesday, June 20 and 8:30-9:30 AM on Thursday, June 21 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA. Parastas will be held at 7:30 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home. 

Memorials in Steve's name may be made to St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 116 East Bertsch Street, Lansford, PA 18232. 

Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.

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Elizabeth M. Coombe, 87, of West Penn Township, PA, died on Saturday, June 16, 2018 in Lehighton, PA. 

Born in Ryan Township, Schuylkill County, PA on January 14, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Jacob and Mabel (nee Achey) Hoffman. In 1960 Elizabeth married William E. Coombe and they moved to the Newark, Delaware area where she worked until William opened his own business, “Panther Valley Home Improvements” in Newark. Then Elizabeth began working as the bookkeeper for the business. Beginning a partial retirement, she and William moved to Reading, PA, and eventually settled in West Penn Township where they operated the Blue and White Restaurant. When they could, Elizabeth and Bill enjoyed traveling in the United States. Having attended Tamaqua High school, she graduated from a Home Decorating course while in Delaware. Prior to relocating to West Penn, Elizabeth had been a member of the United Church of Christ in Reading. 

In addition to her husband, William, she is survived by several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. 

Elizabeth was predeceased by sisters, Irene Boyer, Katherine Welsh, and Mildred Kern and by brothers, William Hoffman and John Hoffman. 

Services will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, June 20 from the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA followed by interment in Sky View Memorial Park, Hometown, PA. Call 9:30 - 11 AM on Wednesday at the funeral home. 

On line 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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Paul J. “Pelo” Thomas, 90, of St. Clair, died Saturday at Orwigsburg Center, Orwigsburg.

Born in St. Clair, October 13, 1927, He was a son of the late Paul and Mary (Adams) Thomas.

Paul graduated from St. Clair High School, Class of 1945 before serving in the U S Army during the Korean War.

Before retiring he worked as Produce Manager for A & P Food Stores in St. Clair, Pottsville and Minersville, Custodian at the First United Methodist Church, Pottsville, and Paul Thomas Monuments of St. Clair.

He was a lifelong member of St. Michael's Orthodox Church, St. Clair, St. Michael Citizens Club St. Michael’s Choir and the F.R.O.C. Also, The Byzantine Male Choir, former St. Clair Kiwanis Club and an avid Penn State Fan.

He was preceded in death by 2 sisters Mary Wabby and Helen Donlin.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Anna Gelesh Thomas, daughter Lynn Bucklar of St. Clair, son Dr. Paul Thomas of Hanover, niece Mary Ann Androshick, nephew Jack Wabby other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Panachida will be held at 9:45 AM Wednesday June 20, 2018 at the Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street St. Clair. The Rev. Jeff Zias will be officiating. Further Service will be celebrated at 10:30 AM at St. Michael's Orthodox Church 109 N. Nichols Street, St. Clair. Friends may call from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Tuesday and 9:00 AM till 9:45 AM Wednesday at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael's Building l Fund. Burial with military honors will be in St. Michael's Cemetery, East Norwegian Twp..

Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent to http://www.brucethartfuneralhome.com

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Roseann M. (Koval) Snyder, 82, of Shenandoah, passed away Friday at Shenandoah Senior Living Community.

Born in Shenandoah, August 8, 1935, she was a daughter of the late Stanley and Rose (Kowalski) Koval.

She was a 1953 graduate of the former Shenandoah Catholic High School.

Prior to her retirement, Roseann worked in the local garment industry.

Roseann was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah, and the former St. George’s Church. She was also a member of the ILGWU.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, William J. Snyder Sr., in 2005; her daughter, Joann M. Snyder, in 2012; and her sister, Joan Clarkson.

Surviving are her daughter, Marie Snyder, with whom she resided; her son, William J. Snyder Jr., with whom she resided, and his fiancee, Carol Zitka, Shenandoah; nieces, nephews, cousins and their families; and her faithful companion, her mixed German shepherd, Roy Roy.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Casimir Church, the sacred worship site of Divine Mercy Parish. Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family in Our Lady of Dawn Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah.

Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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Gladys Foose Schell, 82, a resident of the Shenandoah Senior Living Community, passed away Saturday, June 16th, 2018.

Gladys was born in Mt. Grove, on June 17, 1935, a daughter of the late Marion (Bennett) and Wesley Harvey.

She worked in the manufactured home industry, retiring as an assembler and cabinet maker at Pine Grove Manufactured Homes. She had previously worked for the former Broadmore Homes and Contempri Homes, as well as Yankee Plastics, all in Ringtown.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Ringtown where through the years she had been a member of the Senior Choir, former Dorcas Bible Class, and the Ladies Aid. She also spent many years as the cook on ROCK youth group and catechism retreats. She was a past president of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

An avid hunter and fisher woman, she also enjoyed gardening, crocheting, sewing, quilting, cooking, baking, camping with the Boy Scouts, and above all, being a mother to all.

Gladys was preceded in death by her first husband, Benjamin Foose in 1992 and by her second husband, Alvin Schell in 2012. She was also preceded in death by brothers Frank, John, Wesley, Eugene, and Joseph Harvey and by sisters, Belva Hess, Florence Lorah, Ida Corra, Pearl Foose, Ruth Hauze, Marguerite Mensinger and Floye Vanlinski. Stepsons, Alvin and David Schell, and by her son in-law, Andrew Chupasco.

Gladys is survived by her daughter Marion Chupasco, granddaughter Amy, wife of Rodney Updegrave, great grandson, Corey Updegrave, and his wife, Wendy and step-granddaughter Lora Schell. She is also survived by the Thompson Family along with brothers in-law, sisters in-law and nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church in Ringtown, at a date and time which will be announced.

The Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, Ringtown, is assisting Gladys's family during this time of need.

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Mary Lou Wolfe, 90, of Tower City, formerly of West Virginia, passed away Friday morning at her home.

Born in Marion County, West Virginia, October 1, 1927, a daughter of the late Roy and Hattie Faye (Kyle) Metz.

Mary Lou was retired from Company Store, No 9, Coal Mine, West Virginia and Westinghouse, Fairmount, West Virginia.

She was predeceased by her husband, Philip R. Wolfe, Sr; two sons, Philip R. Wolfe, Jr., and Thomas Guy Wolfe. 3 brothers and 1 sister.

Surviving are her daughter Cindy Lou Satterfield and companion, David LeBlond, Ohio; three grandchildren, Tina Marie Koons and her husband Steve, with whom Mary Lou resided; Thomas J. Satterfield, Ohio and Misty D. Satterfield, WV; Great grandchildren, Jackie D. Hashman, Tower City, Garrett Foreman, Ohio and Zachery Koons, Tower City; Step great grandchildren, Steve Koons III and his wife Elisabeth; Austin Koons and Tyrell Koons; Step great-great grandchildren, Steve Koons, IV and Lorelai Koons. Nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements. To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com

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