Skook News Obituaries for 05/18/2020

Skook News Obituaries for 05/18/2020

Obituaries for Schuylkill County and the surrounding areas.

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Charles D. "Birdie" Keefer, 85, of Birds Hill Rd., Pine Grove, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at home.

Born on July 12, 1934 in Pine Grove, he was a son of the late Charles and Sarah Barr Keefer.

He was a 1952 graduate of Pine Grove High School and a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove.

He was in the Navy serving during the Korean War.

Charles was a maintenance worker and electrician at Guilford Mills from 1952 until 1997.
He was Past President and lifetime member of North End Fire Co., manager of the North End Fire Co. Softball team, Past President of Little Dutchman Midget Football, member of Never Inn Hunting Club, and Pine Grove Jaycees. He was instrumental in bringing Kauffman's Bar B-Q chicken to the area for fundraising and making subs for fundraisers. 

He was a die hard Phillies and Eagles fan. 

Charles was never one to mince his words. He told you what was on his mind. He truly loved his granddaughters and great grandsons. He will be missed by many who had the opportunity to know him.
Preceding him in death were a daughter Marie; two grandchildren, Jennifer and Jessica Keefer; a brother Ralph "Ronnie" Keefer; and a sister Dorothy Bretz.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Bessie Ney Keefer; a daughter, Tina Keefer of Pine Grove; two sons, Charles Jr. and wife Deb Keefer of Pine Grove, Brian Keefer and companion Karen Leymeister of Schuylkill Haven; five granddaughters, Renee and husband Matthew Huff, Katie Keefer, both of Pine Grove, Jena and husband Craig Tarson of Frackville, Alyson and Liz Tooher of Philadelphia; seven great grandsons, Osric Smith, Dryden, Caius and Gideon Huff, Eli Keefer, Alek Davis, Maddox Tarson; a brother Robert Keefer of Parker, CO; several nieces and nephews.

All Services will be held at a later date. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either St. Peter's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 312 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 or the Pinegrove Historical Society, specify for the Stanhope School, P.O. Box 65 Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 in his memory.

The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc, Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com

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Sandra C. Davis, age 80, of Mechanicsville, PA , passed away on Sunday, May 17th, 2020 at Schuylkill Center in Pottsville.

 Born in Pottsville, PA on May 26, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Garfield and Catherine (Olenginski) Evans. Sandra worked at the M&T Bank in Pottsville and she was a former member of First United Methodist Church in Pottsville.

Sandra is survived by her two children: daughter Debra Witmer and son Robert Swartz and his wife Denise, all of Mechanicsville; her grandson Thomas F. WitmerJr. and great grandson Brandon T. Witmer, both of Llewellyn. Services and interment will be held private.

The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements. Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com

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Donald Michael Lubinsky Sr. of Pine Grove passed away May 17th, 2020 in his residence after a long and courageous battle with cancer with his loving and caring family by his side.

 Born in Cumbola, Pa on February 14th, 1951, he was the son of the late Albert W and Viola (Tobin) Lubinsky. He was a 1968 graduate of Nativity B.V.M. High School. 

Don was a member of St. Ambrose Church, Schuylkill Haven. He served 22 years in the Army Reserves retiring as a Master Sargent. He spent 42 years on the railroad. He started his career in 1969 as clerk with the Reading Railroad and worked to become the youngest regional Sales Manager in Reading history. Reading merged with Conrail and he became Manager of Fleet Operations and also Safety Manager. Conrail then merged with CSX and he went to Jacksonville, Florida to work as the Director of Public Safety. Next, he worked in Indiana as a Rail Section Chief with INDOT, ultimately retiring from Amtrak in Delaware as Director of Fleet Operations. He was a member of the A.O.H. JFK Division Pottsville, 4th Degree member of Knights of Columbus, American Legion Pine Grove, and Catholic War Vets, New Philadelphia. 

His greatest joy was spending time with his son Donny Jr., his daughter in-law Candace, & especially his Granddaughter Keyley. He enjoyed playing golf with his son every weekend. Don enjoyed spending his retirement with his wife Theresa. Whether it was just going for walks, holding hands on the back deck, going to Atlantic City, walking the beaches, going on cruises, or traveling, they enjoyed all of life’s little adventures together. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Edward. 

Don is survived by his loving wife Theresa M. (Petrishko) to whom he was married for 47 years, his son Donald M., husband of Candace, and Granddaughter Keyley Bristol, Cumbola. His loving Mother-In-Law Bertha Petrishko. Two brothers: Joseph Lubinsky and wife Geraldine, New Philadelphia; Albert Lubinsky Sr. and wife Maureen, Cumbola. Four Sisters-In-Law: Mary Ann Lubinsky, Pottsville; Carol Hamera and husband Leonard, Reading; Barbara Stepenosky and husband David, Reading; and Joann Schultz and husband Mark, Llewellyn; 10 nephews & 6 nieces. 

A viewing will be held on Friday, May 22nd following CDC guidelines at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home in Port Carbon. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday, May 23rd followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Schuylkill Haven with Monsignor Edward Zemanick officiating. Internment with Military Honors will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville on Tuesday, May 26th. Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to St. Ambrose Parish, 201 Randel Street, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972. 

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David J. Morasky, 67, a resident of Cass Twp. passed away late Saturday evening at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest in Allentown.

David was a son of the late Andrew and Anna Marchick Morasky.

He attended the former St. Stanislaus grade school and was a 1971 graduate of Minersville Area High School. He was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Church, Minersville. He worked at the former United Metal Manufacturing, Pottsville for 35 years. He was a lifetime member of the South Cass Fire Co. and was a member of the International Molders and Allied Workers Union. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan since childhood. He was also a fan of Minersville Girls Softball teams attending games for many years.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by 2 brothers Edward Morasky and Joseph Morasky..

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, the former Diane Delaney; cousins; a sister-in-law and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, services will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, Minersville. To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Dave’s memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com

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Joseph. J. Conway Sr., 87, joined his Lord in heaven on Sunday, May 17.

Born in Pottsville on July 2, 1932, a son of the late John M. and Agnes J. Miller Conway.

He was a graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School.

Joe served in the United States Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Vulcan, AR-5 as a Machinist Mate, 3rd Class.

Joe worked as a millwright at ALCOA Aluminum in the Cressona and Lebanon plants, and was a member of the ALCOA 25 Year Club. Once retired, he enjoyed taking his grandchildren fishing, tinkering around his home and garden, exploring local flea markets, and enjoying near and far travel adventures with his wife, who was his Pottsville Catholic High School sweetheart and best friend.

He was a faithful member of St. Patrick's Church and could always be found at Saturday's 4:15 mass. He was also a lifetime member of the Humane Volunteer Fire Company, a member of the A.O.H., J.F.K. Division #2, Catholic War Veterans Post 1051, and the American Legion Post 67.

He was a true family man who found great pleasure in hosting Irish style "Hooleys" at his home where food, beer, and laughter prevailed. Joe was very proud of his Irish heritage and fancied the Irish brogue. He returned home from his second trip to Ireland with it as his official accent and used it often when sharing his numerous stories and jokes.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Eileen Goodwin; and a brother, John Conway.

He will be missed dearly by his loving wife, family, and friends. Joe and his wife, who survives him, Dorothy Bauer Conway, enjoyed 65 years of marriage and raised 10 beautiful children; 9 who survive him, Joseph J. Conway, Jr, and his wife, Lucy; Kathleen Brennan, widow of Bob; Michael Conway and his wife, Karen; Aggie Messner and her husband, Jack, Mary Lopez and her husband, Joe; Dorothy A. Conway; Patricia Dolan and her husband, Kenneth; Brad Goodwin, husband of Eileen; John Conway and his wife, Ann Pat; Rose Straebel and her husband, Rob. Joe was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

May God bless Joe for a job well done!

Mass of Christian Burial will be private event at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville. Following COVID 19/CDC guidelines, relatives and friends are invited to a viewing Friday from 8:30AM to 10:30AM at James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions to St. Patrick Memorial Fund 319 Mahantongo St. Pottsville, PA 17901 or the Humane Fire Company, 200 Humane Ave, Pottsville, PA 17901. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.

Please share your memories and condolences with Joe's family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com 

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These Obituaries are brought to you by

Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory INC.