Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Skook News Obituaries: August 4th, 2020


Skook News Obituaries:  August 4th, 2020

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Wayne Roy Clark
, 40, of Barnesville, PA, passed away Sunday, August 2nd, in Scranton.

Wayne was born in San Antonio, Tx on April 22, 1980, a son of Deborah (Shipp) and Donald Clark of Scranton.

He worked as a truck driver for Denison Landscaping in Fort Washington MD.

Wayne loved spending time with his wife and children, gardening and riding his brand new Harley Davidson Motorcycle.

He was the husband of Dorettah (Klinger) Clark.

Wayne is also survived by two daughters, Claudia Clark, of Barnesville; Karin Scalamonti, of Barnesville; a son, Colton Clark, of Barnesville; and by two sisters, Kayla Clark, of Scranton; Karissa Clark, of Scranton; two brothers, Jason Clark, of Scranton; Kamryn Clark, of Scranton; two step sisters, Dawn Hill, of Scranton; Bridget, wife of Jason Knoch, of Scranton, a step brother, William Miller, of Missouri.

Friends and family may call Friday August 7th, from 4 to 8 PM at the Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc.

Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book, view Video Tribute and send sympathy cards.

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Theodore Franklin Clemson, Sr.
, 84, of Tamaqua, PA died on Monday, August 3, 2020 in Lehighton, PA. 

He was the husband of Maryann (nee Gilfert) Clemson to whom he was married 23 years. 

Ted was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara D. (nee Fethers) Clemson in 1984. 

Born in Tamaqua, PA on December 9, 1935, he was a son of the late Henry Franklin and Sadie E. (nee Hughes) Clemson. 

A 1954 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Ted was employed at Atlas/ICI where he was the watchman at the main gate for 33½ years. He was a member of the Atlas 25 Year Club; Trinity United Church of Christ, Tamaqua; and the Tamaqua Rifle and Pistol Club. An avid woodworker, hunter, and fisherman, Ted took many trips to the west to hunt and fish. He will be remembered for being the neighborhood Santa Claus during the 1980’s. 

In addition to his wife, Maryann, he is survived by sons, Theodore “Boomer” Clemson, Jr. and his wife, Susan of Tamaqua, Richard M. Clemson of Hometown, PA, and David S. Clemson and his wife, Terry of Tamaqua; daughters, Susan Follmer and her husband Randy of Tamaqua and Diane B. Johnson of Tamaqua; step children, Chris Ann Rossi, Todd Wagner, and Sherry Stefiniak; grandchildren, Mark, Brian, Ricky, Brandon, Stephanie, Matthew, Daniel, Nicholas, Jeremy, and Jessica; step grandchildren, Stacey, John Michael, Jasmin, Alyssa, and Jonathan; 8 great grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. 

Ted was predeceased by brother, Marlin Clemson and sister, Nira Sylvia Hagadish. 

Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, August 7, 2020 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad Street, Tamaqua with The Rev. Kevin Duffy-Guy officiating. Interment in Sky View Memorial Park, Hometown, PA will follow the services. Call 9-11 AM on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials in Ted’s name may be made to Trinity United Church of Christ, 22 Lafayette Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. 

Attendees are reminded of the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines and are kindly reminded to wear a mask and observe physical distancing. 

Online 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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Elizabeth Filer, 95, formerly St. Clair, passed away Sunday August 2, 2020 at Seton Manor Nursing Home, Orwigsburg PA.

Born in St. Clair, December 5, 1924, she was a daughter of the late George and Helen (Prokopetz) Stefonick.

She was a member of St. Clair of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, St. Clair.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband Stanley Filer in 1987, 3 brothers Michael, George and John Stefonick, 4 sisters Margaret Rowan, Mary Cromyak, Barbara Guerra and Juleanne Gregitis.

Surviving are her daughter Helena Blischok, and her husband Ken of Brockton, her son Anthony Filer, and his wife Kathleen of Bangor, ME and four grandchildren Jason, Rachel, Joe and Collette Filer.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Friday from Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street St. Clair. Rev. Msgr. William F. Glosser will be officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Friday the Funeral Home.

Burial will be in St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, St. Clair.

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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Aaron J. Mattern
, 39 years of age, of Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania died on Sunday, August 2, 2020, in Pottsville

Born Monday, September 29, 1980 in Coaldale, Pennsylvania, the son of Dawn (Spink) Mattern of Lansford, and Aaron L. Mattern of Tamaqua. He is also survived by; his wife, Bobbi Lynn (Schaeffer) Mattern of Schuylkill Haven; son, Landon J. Mattern of Schuylkill Haven; sisters, Amanda M Lehman wife of Jae of Summit Hill, Kimberly A. Mattern of Lansford; maternal grandmother, Patricia Swanger of Summit Hill; nieces nephews; great niece and nephew.

He was predeceased by sister, Jennifer Lynn Mattern on March 3, 1997.

Aaron attended Panther Valley Schools. He was a talented welder working for Keystone 4X4 of Hamburg. Aaron and his son enjoyed working on their Jeeps and cars together. Aaron was an avid outdoorsman.

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 graveside service will be held on Thursday August 6, 2020 at 12:30 P.M. from Sky View Memorial Park, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.

The family is seeking help to defer expenses. Please go to remembrance of AJ Mattern organized by Jae Lehman.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com

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Gary L. Nothstein, Jr.
, 37 years old, of Eagles View Drive in New Ringgold, passed away tragically on Sunday, August 2, 2020, on his family's farm in West Penn Township from injuries sustained in an ATV accident.

Born Thursday, February 17, 1983 in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, he is survived by: his parents Gary L. Nothstein, Sr. and Patricia Jo (Swirsky) Nothstein of New Ringgold; his beloved wife of 10 years, Kelly (Cara) Nothstein; his son, Logan Gary Nothstein, whom he adored; brother, David J. Nothstein and his wife Kelly of Saylorsburg; nieces, Brooke and Josephine Nothstein; maternal grandmother, Josephine (Nahas) Swirsky of New Ringgold; in-laws, Tom and Linda Cara of Tamaqua and countless other friends and relatives, who all love and miss him dearly.

A 2001 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, Gary earned his B.A. from Penn State University in Communications with a concentration in Film and Video. He attended Montclair State University in New Jersey and received a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Science. During his graduate studies at Montclair, Gary led a research study and co-authored a research paper that was published in Perspectives in Public Health. Gary worked for International Flavors & Fragrances in Dayton, New Jersey where he was Supervisor of Customer Quality & Operations North America Quality Administration. His strong work ethic and calm, personable nature made him highly valued and respected by his coworkers and peers.

His love of science and learning resulted in his continuous pursuit of knowledge. He was especially drawn to outer space, astrophysics, and all things pertaining to the cosmos. Gary always kept up with news and current events, especially when it came to history and statistics. He took on the role of family historian after his late grandfather, Lawrence Nothstein, and in that role helped preserve a long, rich family history dating back to 1750.

Gary loved movies and collecting movie posters. He enjoyed photography, being outdoors, and roaming his family's multi-generational farm that he and Kelly's home overlooks. Many would say he was an “old soul”. He was sensitive to others’ circumstances and had a great appreciation for and understanding of things that may be overlooked by someone else his age.

He meticulously tended to finances and to the care of his family. He tinkered in the garage with his dad and brother, which they recently constructed. No detail was overlooked, and when it came to technology, he was always on top of the latest products and innovations. You could always rely on Gary for a good product recommendation.

Gary was a wealth of knowledge with a kind and gentle soul, a quit wit, and a great sense of humor; He had so many wonderful qualities but most of all he was smart, kind, and easygoing. He loved his family with all of his heart, especially his son Logan, who had a certain laugh that only his daddy could provoke.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550

A Public Calling will be held on Friday evening August 7, 2020 at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Masks will be required and occupancy limits will be maintained.

A Private Funeral Service will be held, Father Gene Ritz to officiate.

An educational fund will be established for his son, Logan. Please make all donations payable to Kelly Nothstein, 24 Eagles View Drive, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960.

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Shelley May “Barbara” Solan, 70 of Hazleton passed away early Monday morning, August 3, 2020 at The Pavilion at Saint Luke Village, Hazleton.

Born in Mahanoy City on October 31, 1949 she was a daughter of the late William and Helen (Simko) Solan.

She attended schools in Mahanoy City.

Barbara was last employed as a nurse’s aide.

She was of the Protestant faith.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Surviving are her cousin and caregiver, Karen A. Schropp and her husband John of Shenandoah Heights; cousin, James J. Smith, III and his wife Johanna of Bethlehem; and her uncle, Ronald R. Smith of Frackville.

Private funeral services with interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights 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.

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Donald E. “Don” Wishing
, 83 of Shenandoah Heights passed away peacefully on Sunday evening.

Born in Mahanoy City on August 27, 1936 he was the son of the late Edward and Theresa (Besitka) Wishing.

He was a graduate of the former McAdoo High School.

Mr. Wishing served his country in the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Regular Army when he was called to active duty for the Berlin Crisis in 1961.

Don was a produce manager and clerk for various grocery stores, first for Genetti’s Supermarkets in Hazleton and later in Shenandoah and its successors, Victory, ACME and BI-LO Markets.

On January 26, 1963 in Saint Casimir’s Church, Shenandoah he married the former Joann B. Ptaszkowski Paskey.

Don was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah formerly Saint Casimir’s Church and Saint George’s Church. He was a life member of the Shenandoah Heights Fire Company and the UFCW Union. He was a member of the former Shenandoah Amvets Post and was a former member of the Shenandoah and Frackville Elks. Don was a fan of all Philadelphia Sports teams especially basketball and football. He enjoyed the many trips he took to the casinos.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 57 years, Joann B. Wishing are cousins and many friends.

Private services and interment with military honors will be held in Saint Casimir’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.

Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.

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