Obituaries for Schuylkill County and the surrounding areas.
---------------------------------------------------
Denise L. (Moran) Kennedy, 59, of Deer Lake, passed away Saturday at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem.
Born in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Catherine Reichert Moran.
Denise was a 1979 graduate of Minersville Area High School. She was of the Catholic faith. She was an avid Disney and NASCAR fan. She worked for many years as a cook in local nursing homes. Denise was dedicated to volunteerism and serving her community. She was a First Responder and driver for Orwigsburg and Auburn Ambulance Associations. She was a volunteer with the Schuylkill County 4H Therapeutic Riding Program, CYO, the Special Olympics and she was a Cub Scout leader. She was the Administrative Director of the Schuylkill County Fair Association. She was a proud member of the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs, the Pennsylvania State Showman’s Association and was also a judge for competitive exhibits at numerous fairs. Her most coveted title earned during her volunteerism was “Swamp Mom.”
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother Michael Moran.
Denise is survived by her husband and fishing buddy of 42 years, Paul Kennedy; 2 sons, Paul (Rebecca), Branch Twp and Tyler, Allentown; granddaughter Kollins and grandson Bryce; 2 brothers, Thomas Moran Jr., Hamburg and Patrick Moran, Pottsville; a sister Bridget Moran Shay, Lebanon; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and her faithful companion, Beau Duke. Hopefully, she is survived by someone willing to enter all these damn cows. They aren’t going to enter themselves. Denise also leaves behind an extensive Faire and Fair family.
In her final act of giving and selflessness, Denise offered herself as an organ donor and has given at least 6 recipients a new chance at life. The family would like to extend their gratitude to all the First Responders, doctors, and staff that attended to Denise. Your attentiveness and compassion will forever be remembered.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11AM in St. Michael the Archangel Church, 539 Sunbury St., Minersville. Relatives and friends may call at the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, 328 Sunbury St., Minersville on Friday evening from 5 PM to 9 PM and on Saturday morning from 7 AM to 10:30 AM. Internment will be in St Barbara’s Cemetery, Llewellyn.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions to the Denise Louise Kennedy Memorial Foundation, c/o 328 Sunbury St., Minersville. Contributions will be accepted at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Denise’s memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com
---------------------------------------------------
Lynn J. (Merchant) Pielacha, 74, of Minersville, passed away Sunday, July 12, 2020, at her residence.
Born January 7, 1946, in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Thomas G. and Joyce (Brennan) Merchant.
She attended Holy Family Church, Minersville, and was a member of the former St Vincent De Paul Parish.
Lynn loved cats, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family, especially her grandsons.
Lynn graduated from Minersville Area High School and upon graduation started working at I. Krop and Sons Steel (which became Kane Steel Co. of PA) for 47 years until they closed their doors in 2010. She also attended Penn State University, Harrisburg Campus to study Accounting.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Feline Companion, Precious Frisky; siblings John J. and Ursula Merchant; brother-in-law, Joseph E. Lipsett; nieces, Jacquelyn Atherton, Melissa Merchant, and Amy L. Craig
She is survived by her husband, John J. “Jake” Pielacha; daughters, Susan L. wife of Scott Purcell and JaimeLynn wife of Adam Zimerofsky; grandchildren, Ryan, Adam, Hunter Purcell, Chase, and Cadan Zimerofsky; great-grandson, Elliott Purcell; brother, Thomas G. “Todd” Merchant husband of Wendy; sisters, Kathleen I. Matthews, Cecile M. Lipsett, and Coreen wife of Michael Spece; nieces, nephews and her extended family the Allar's.
A Graveside Service will be held 10:30 AM on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at St. Mary Star of the Sea, Minersville. Family and friends may call 6 PM until 8 PM, Thursday, July 16, 2020, at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 W. Market St., Pottsville.
Charles A. Beneck, 87, of Orwigsburg, passed away Sunday, July 12th, at his residence.
Charles was born in New Ringgold PA on February 1, 1933, a son of the late Susan (Michalka) and Arvel Beneck. He was the husband of Joyce E. (Shiffert) Beneck, they were married 63 years.
Charlie was a graduate of Tamaqua High School and served in the US Army. He was employed at AT&T as an electronic technician during his lifetime. He enjoyed going to Phillies games and collecting coins.
Charles is survived by a daughter, Lori Lego, wife of Joseph, of Mechanicsburg, granddaughters Amber Callahan and Chiara Caparella.
He was predeceased by his son Charles E. Beneck as well as siblings Susan Heath, Anna Gruver, Joseph Beneck, and Albert Beneck.
A Religious Service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, July 18th at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg, PA with Rev. Michael Petresky officiating. A public visitation will be held from 10AM until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica CA 90401 or your favorite charity.
--------------------------------------
Surviving are her husband of 44 years, Joseph M. Truskolasky; three sons, John Van Horn and his wife, Sherry, Joseph Van Horn and Frank Van Horn and his wife, Krissy; one daughter, Patty Jo Hornberger; one brother, John Ashfield; six grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mom Mom enjoyed the staff, food and company of friends at Park Restaurant, Shenandoah, where she went daily. But above all else, attending her grandchildren's activities was of utmost importance to her.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah, is in charge of the arrangements.
--------------------------------------
Lois M. (Gibson) Alcaraz, 81, of 113 W. Coal St, Shenandoah was welcomed to heaven on December 30th, 2019.
Lois was born in Shenandoah on May 30th, 1938 and was the daughter of Charles J. and Myrtle I. Gibson. Lois worked in Philadelphia as a telephone operator, later at Kresge’s and Woolworth’s stores in Shenandoah, and most recently, she was an office receptionist at Deebel Chiropractic in Shenandoah.
She was a lifelong member of the Bethel Primitive Methodist Church and a member of the Ladies Aid Society.
She was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School class of 1956. She was a Committee member for the Pennsylvania Anthracite Memorial at Girard Park, an AARP member, and a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens.
Preceding her in death was a sister Lorraine in infancy, her brother, Charles R. and her parents.
Surviving her are husband, John Alcaraz, Shenandoah, 2 sons, John of Midlothian, VA and David of Pittston, PA, a daughter, Lori Ann of Brandonville, PA, a grandson Alex with his wife Samantha of Tacoma, WA, and a granddaughter Alyssa of Midlothian, VA, along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 18th from 1:30 to 2:30pm at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah, Pa.
To offer condolences, please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com
--------------------------------------
Born January 7, 1946, in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Thomas G. and Joyce (Brennan) Merchant.
She attended Holy Family Church, Minersville, and was a member of the former St Vincent De Paul Parish.
Lynn loved cats, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family, especially her grandsons.
Lynn graduated from Minersville Area High School and upon graduation started working at I. Krop and Sons Steel (which became Kane Steel Co. of PA) for 47 years until they closed their doors in 2010. She also attended Penn State University, Harrisburg Campus to study Accounting.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Feline Companion, Precious Frisky; siblings John J. and Ursula Merchant; brother-in-law, Joseph E. Lipsett; nieces, Jacquelyn Atherton, Melissa Merchant, and Amy L. Craig
She is survived by her husband, John J. “Jake” Pielacha; daughters, Susan L. wife of Scott Purcell and JaimeLynn wife of Adam Zimerofsky; grandchildren, Ryan, Adam, Hunter Purcell, Chase, and Cadan Zimerofsky; great-grandson, Elliott Purcell; brother, Thomas G. “Todd” Merchant husband of Wendy; sisters, Kathleen I. Matthews, Cecile M. Lipsett, and Coreen wife of Michael Spece; nieces, nephews and her extended family the Allar's.
A Graveside Service will be held 10:30 AM on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at St. Mary Star of the Sea, Minersville. Family and friends may call 6 PM until 8 PM, Thursday, July 16, 2020, at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 W. Market St., Pottsville.
--------------------------------------
Charles A. Beneck, 87, of Orwigsburg, passed away Sunday, July 12th, at his residence.
Charles was born in New Ringgold PA on February 1, 1933, a son of the late Susan (Michalka) and Arvel Beneck. He was the husband of Joyce E. (Shiffert) Beneck, they were married 63 years.
Charlie was a graduate of Tamaqua High School and served in the US Army. He was employed at AT&T as an electronic technician during his lifetime. He enjoyed going to Phillies games and collecting coins.
Charles is survived by a daughter, Lori Lego, wife of Joseph, of Mechanicsburg, granddaughters Amber Callahan and Chiara Caparella.
He was predeceased by his son Charles E. Beneck as well as siblings Susan Heath, Anna Gruver, Joseph Beneck, and Albert Beneck.
A Religious Service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, July 18th at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg, PA with Rev. Michael Petresky officiating. A public visitation will be held from 10AM until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica CA 90401 or your favorite charity.
--------------------------------------
Regina C. Truskolasky, 79, of Park Place Road, Mahanoy City, affectionately known as "Mom Mom" or "Jeanie Van Horn," passed away peacefully Saturday, July 11, 2020, at her residence.
Jeanie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters.Surviving are her husband of 44 years, Joseph M. Truskolasky; three sons, John Van Horn and his wife, Sherry, Joseph Van Horn and Frank Van Horn and his wife, Krissy; one daughter, Patty Jo Hornberger; one brother, John Ashfield; six grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mom Mom enjoyed the staff, food and company of friends at Park Restaurant, Shenandoah, where she went daily. But above all else, attending her grandchildren's activities was of utmost importance to her.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah, is in charge of the arrangements.
--------------------------------------
Lois was born in Shenandoah on May 30th, 1938 and was the daughter of Charles J. and Myrtle I. Gibson. Lois worked in Philadelphia as a telephone operator, later at Kresge’s and Woolworth’s stores in Shenandoah, and most recently, she was an office receptionist at Deebel Chiropractic in Shenandoah.
She was a lifelong member of the Bethel Primitive Methodist Church and a member of the Ladies Aid Society.
She was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School class of 1956. She was a Committee member for the Pennsylvania Anthracite Memorial at Girard Park, an AARP member, and a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens.
Preceding her in death was a sister Lorraine in infancy, her brother, Charles R. and her parents.
Surviving her are husband, John Alcaraz, Shenandoah, 2 sons, John of Midlothian, VA and David of Pittston, PA, a daughter, Lori Ann of Brandonville, PA, a grandson Alex with his wife Samantha of Tacoma, WA, and a granddaughter Alyssa of Midlothian, VA, along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 18th from 1:30 to 2:30pm at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah, Pa.
To offer condolences, please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com
--------------------------------------
Walter H. Kneipp, 89, Frackville passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving wife.
Born in Newark, NJ, he was a son of the late John and Florence Stumpf Kneipp. Walt worked as forklift driver for General Motors for 43 years before his retirement.
Walt was a United States Marine Corp. Veteran having served during the Korean War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart.
He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Geraldine “Terry” Kneipp, Frackville; two sons, a daughter and several grandchildren.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Sign the guest book, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., is in charge of the arrangements.
These Obituaries are brought to you by
Born in Newark, NJ, he was a son of the late John and Florence Stumpf Kneipp. Walt worked as forklift driver for General Motors for 43 years before his retirement.
Walt was a United States Marine Corp. Veteran having served during the Korean War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart.
He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Geraldine “Terry” Kneipp, Frackville; two sons, a daughter and several grandchildren.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Sign the guest book, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., is in charge of the arrangements.
--------------------------------------
These Obituaries are brought to you by