Monday, June 3, 2019

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 06/03/19


Schuylkill County Obituaries for 06/03/19
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Florina F. Martin 87 years of age of Washington Street Tamaqua passed away suddenly 0n Sunday June 2, 2019 as a guest of Heritage Hills Senior Living Ctr. Weatherly, Pennsylvania.

Born in Tamaqua the daughter of the late Emidio and Antoinetta ( Tredicine) Falasca she was also predeceased by; her husband, Howard W. Martin in 1989; sisters, Bessie Paslawsky, Rose Hechinger; brothers, Joseph Falasca, and Anthony Falasca.

Survived by her; daughter, Joann Confer of Wernersville; sons, Howard W. Martin II and his wife Cathleen of Easton, John P. Martin and his wife Susan of Tamaqua; grandchildren; Lauren, Jessica, Eric, Amy; great grandchildren, Tesha, Damion, Sean, Emily, Riley, William, Zachary, Haven; sisters, Anna Rohrbach of Washington D.C., Jean McLaughlin of Reading, Amelia Stack of Ballston Lake, NY;

A 1949 graduate of Tamaqua High School, A former telephone operator in Tamaqua, Florina retired from AAA of Tamaqua having worked as secretary for many years.

Florina was a member of St. John XXIII R.C.C., and Senior Citizens both of Tamaqua. She also
belonged to the Rush/Ryan Senior Citizens.

Funeral 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

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday June 8, 2019 at 11:30 A.M. from St. John XXIII R.C.C> 301 Pine Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.

Friends may call on Saturday morning June 8, 2019 at the funeral home from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.

Interment St. Jerome R.C.C. Cemetery, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania

Memorials in Florina's name to St. John XXIII R.C.C.

Expressions of sympathy or a fond memory of Florina can be made by visiting, www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com

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Karen F. Wink, 71, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Sunday, June 2nd, at Seton Manor, Orwigsburg.

Born in Pottsville on July 8, 1947, she was a daughter of the late Norman Bensinger, and Ellen (Yohe) Bensinger Fessler.

She shared 52 years of marriage with her husband, Ernest V. Wink.

Karen was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School, Class of 1965.

She worked as a teller at Schuylkill Haven Trust Company

Karen was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Schuylkill Haven.

In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by two brothers, Ronald, & William Bensinger, and sister, Kay Sidella.

In addition to her husband, Karen is also survived by a daughter, Adrienne Wink, Schuylkill Haven, a son, Matthew Wink, partner of Brandon Hufnagle, Glen Rock, PA, grandson, Cody Wink, a sister, Shirley McCord, Schuylkill Haven, a brother, Norm Bensinger, Mt. Dora, FL, and nieces & nephews.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted at St. John's United Church of Christ, Schuylkill Haven, at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 7th, with Rev. Janet Lewis officiating.

A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 4 p.m. until the time of service at the church.

Interment will be privately held at the family's convenience.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Karen's memory to St. John's United Church of Christ Memorial Fund 121 East Main Street Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.

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Joan D. (Seroka) Brutto, 85, of Shenandoah, passed away Saturday evening at Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Shenandoah Heights.

Born in Shenandoah, September 15, 1933, she was a daughter of late Leo and Evelyn (Dunlap) Seroka.

Joan was a 1951 graduate of J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.

Prior to her retirement, she was employed in the Treasurer’s Office and the Voter Registration Office at the Schuylkill County Courthouse, Pottsville.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were three brothers, Edward, Leonard and Mark Seroka. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Surviving are her husband, Michael W. Brutto; one son, Todd Brutto and his wife, Maryanne, of Warrington; three grandchildren, Bryan and his wife, Welsley, Heather and her husband, Nick, and Matthew; three great-grandchildren, Parker, Hannah and Jack; special cousins, Dwain and Maryann Barlow; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Private services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family.

Walukiewcz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.

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Edward Joseph Sekula. Jr., 81, passed away in the comfort and care of his son and daughter-in-law’s home in Chambersburg PA on June 1, 2019.

Edward was born on September 2, 1937 to Edward and Dorothy (Fritz) Sekula in the village of Brandonville PA. He grew up with a fishing pole in his hand and was an avid fisherman all his life. He graduated from Penn State University and was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and a member of ROTC. After graduation, he joined the Army as a member of the Finance Corps. His last station was at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, where he met the love of his life, Carol Lee Helton, who he married in July of 1963. They had a son David who was born in September of 1966. Edward then obtained his CPA and started his career as an accountant at Pete Marwick and Mitchell in New York City. The family moved to Netcong NJ in 1973, and that is where Edward set down roots. He became a founding member of Abiding Peace Lutheran Church in Budd Lake, NJ, and joined as a Volunteer Firefighter for Netcong Company #1. During his 46 years in Netcong, Edward also worked at Mount Sinai Medical Center NY, Visiting Nurse Services of NY, Wallkill Valley Regional Hospital NJ, and retired from NewBridge Services NJ.

He was also very active in the community as a dedicated Cub Master for Pack 186 and an Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster for Troop 186 of Netcong, and then later worked as District Chairman for Sussex District as well as the Finance Committee of Patriots’ Path Council. Edward was awarded the District Award of Merit as well as the Silver Beaver for his work with the Boy Scouts. He was also an active member of the Wallkill Valley Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Edward also served as a member of the Musconetcong Watershed Commission, the Lake Musconetcong Planning Board, and was a member of the Local Trout Unlimited Club. He loved being a fishing guide on Lake Hopatcong with his 17ft Bass boat. Edward was also quite the Civil War buff as well as a budding author. He enjoyed his yearly trips to Maine for fishing and to Florida for relaxing.

Edward was preceded in death by his Father, Edward, his Mother, Dorothy, his Wife, Carol Lee, and his sister-in-law Elizabeth Wood. He is survived by his son David Sekula and his wife Gina, Grandson’s Nicholas and his wife Jessica and Tyler and his wife Kelsey, his great grandkids Miles, Noah, and Charlotte, his brother-in-law Kenneth Wood, Nieces Debbie Drake and husband Steve, Lisa Rogers, and Kara Stutz and husband Paul, as well as many great nieces and nephews.

A Viewing will be held at St. John’s-Brandonville Lutheran Church, 99 West Park Avenue, Ringtonw, PA Saturday June 8,2019 from 9 – 11 am, followed by the a funeral service and burial in the Brandonville Union Cemetery.

The family would like to thank SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care & Hospice in Chambersburg, PA for their love, support and care of not just Edward, but our entire family.

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Christopher K. Phelan Sr., 59, of Washington Street, Frackville, passed away Sunday, June 2nd, at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Born in Levittown, PA, October 30, 1959, he was the son of the late William and Margaret Ginaldi Phelan. He attended Levittown Schools and later became an automobile mechanic, working for the Expert Tire Company, Pottsville, until his retirement. Christopher was of the Roman Catholic faith.

Preceding him in death were brothers, Steven and William, and also a sister Lophra Sleek.

Survivors

Wife: Debbie Barber Phelan, married 39 years

Daughter: Amy wife of Brian Lorah, Frackville

Son: Christopher Jr. and his wife Patricia, South Carolina

Son: Keven, Pottsville

Brother: Michael Phelan and his wife Doris, Locustdale

Seven Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial funeral service, Saturday, June 22nd at 11 AM in the Aurand Memorial United Methodist Church, 217 W. Main St., Ringtown. Officiating will be Rev. Barbara Welsh, Pastor. Visitation will begin at 9AM until service.

Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of arrangements.