Monday, October 28, 2019

Schuylkill County Obituaries for 10/28/19


Schuylkill County Obituaries for 10/28/19

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Leo N. “Chief” Kowalsky, 69, of Shenandoah, passed away on Sunday morning, October 27, 2019, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

Born in Shenandoah, April 12, 1950, he was the son of the late Leo and Margaret (Weikel) Kowalsky.

He was a 1968 graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah, and the South Vo-Tech School, Mar Lin, where he received his machinist training.

Earlier, Leo was employed at the former Purolator Products, Pattersonville, and prior to his retirement, he was a bus driver for R&J Tours, Cressona. He was also a self-employed auto mechanic.

Chief was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Brandonville, the Rescue Hook and Ladder Fire Company, Shenandoah, and the Shenandoah Archery Club, Phineyville.

Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, were two sisters, Mary Teter and Margaret Kowalsky.

Surviving are his wife, the former Sharon H. Evans, to whom he was married 48 years; one son, Leo J. Kowalsky, of Shenandoah; three sisters, Geraldine Moore, of Gordon, Beverly Krieger, of Ringtown, and his twin sister, Leona Reigel and her husband, Alvin, of Hazleton; nieces, nephews, cousins; many friends.

Religious services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah, with the Rev. Jay Serafin officiating. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

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

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On October 24, 2019 at the age of 101, Nellie Mae Leaman (nee Runkle) passed away at Oak Crest Retirement Community where she was a long time resident

Nellie was born on 8/2/1918 in Pottsville, Pa to Charles & Rae Runkle. She attended Pottsville High School where she participated in chorus and graduated in 1937. She worked to support her family until 1942 when she moved to Baltimore and married John (Jack) Leaman. They lived in Middle River where they raised their son, Bruce and twins, Carolyn and David. She worked as a payroll clerk until the children were grown and then moved with her husband to New Bern NC. where Nellie was an avid gardener, joined social groups, played the piano, took up water color and enjoyed “life in the South”.

Sadly, their time in New Bern was short lived. In 1976 Jack passed away and Nellie returned to the Baltimore area to be closer to family. Gardening, crocheting, baby and pet sitting as well as painting treasured greeting cards for those dearest to her occupied much of her time. The last 20 years were spent as a resident of Oak Crest Retirement Community where walking around the campus, playing cards, and completing puzzles were simple pleasures she enjoyed but she was happiest when with family. And, it was with family and the fortunate few that she shared her remarkable life stories. Nellie’s memory was amazing, her stories mesmerizing. She took the past and weaved it into the present. Relatives of years past became real, places you never saw could be imagined. She’d take you on a Nellie journey and then smile...a smile that will always be treasured!

She is survived by her children: Bruce Leaman (Eileen), Carolyn McNabney (Jack) and David Leaman (Barbara); her grandchildren: Keith Leaman (Cathy), Kirsten McNabney, Michelle Dunkin (Jordan), Thomas Leaman (Jennifer); and, great grandchildren: Zachary Leaman , Benjamin Leaman (Samantha Gray), Hannah Leaman (Zachary Worthy), Scotlyn Leaman, Isabella Dunkin, Noelle Leaman and a number of nieces and nephews and their children. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack; Brothers, David Warren, Dick, Frank, sister Grace Evelyn: and, great great granddaughter Annabella

A “Celebration of Nellie’s Life” will be held on November 8th from 1:00 to 4:00 in the Garden Room at Oak Crest Village, 8832 Walther Blvd, Parkville Md. Interment will be at 12:00 on Saturday, November 9 at the Charles Baber Cemetery in Pottsville, Pa.

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Anne M. Newton, 56, of Minersville, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday at her home.

Born on June 10, 1963, she was a daughter of the late William H. Newton, Sr. and the late Germaine Miller Newton. She was a 1981 graduate of Minersville Area High School. She was employed by Compass Rose Care Ltd.

Anne, known as “Annie” to her family and friends, was routinely the “life of the party” wherever she went. Her presence was guaranteed to lighten the mood of any event, especially when she would entertain others with funny stories and jokes that were often accompanied by colorful four-letter words. Anne’s carefree spirit and ability to make even the darkest days a little brighter won’t be forgotten. If you were fortunate to call Anne your family member or friend, without a doubt you knew she had your back and would defend you, no matter the circumstances. Anne’s love for her children, her affinity for animals, her pleasure of cooking for others, and her sense of humor will be cherished by those who will remember her.

She was a member of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church, Minersville.

She was preceded in death by a nephew, Travis Newton.

Anne is survived by three sons, Quentin Newton, Minersville, Nathan Newton, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Patrick Schuster, Minersville; three siblings, Gerard Newton (spouse, Nancy), Pottsville, Bernadette Davenport (spouse, Earl), Norwegian Township, and William H. Newton, Jr. (spouse, Cheryl), Minersville; her companion, James Quandel, Branch Township; nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Thursday from 6:00 A.M. until 9:15 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 A.M. in St. Matthew the Evangelist Church, 139 Spruce Street, Minersville. Interment will be private.

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John T. Mudrey Jr., 90, of Providence Place, Pottsville passed away on Sunday, October 27th at his residence. Born in Shenandoah on December 24th, 1928 he was the son of the late John and Stella “Smithra” Mudrey.

He graduated as valedictorian from the former J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah. After school, John served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He then was employed by the Miners National Bank in Shenandoah for 32 years. He was a member of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Shenandoah.

Besides his parents, John was preceded in death by a sister, Eleanor Previti.

Surviving are a niece, Joan Natalani of Orlando, FL and a nephew, John Previti of Paoli, PA

A visitation will take place on Monday, November 4th from 10 to 11:30am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Panachida services will be conducted at 10:30am at the funeral home by Msrg. Myron Grabowsky. Burial will full military honors will follow services at 1pm in Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa.

Contributions in John’s memory may be made to the St. Michael’s Church Memorial Fund of the Shenandoah Area Free Public Library.


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These Obituaries are brought to you by

Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory INC.