Sunday, September 13, 2020

Skook News Obituaries: September 12th, 2020

 Skook News Obituaries: September 12th, 2020


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Joseph G. “Apple” Brennan, 89, of Heckscherville, Cass Township, passed away on Saturday morning at Schuylkill Center.

Born on April 5, 1931 in Heckscherville, he was a son of the late John and Frances Callaghan Brennan. He attended St. Kieran School and was a 1949 graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School. He served two tours in Korea as a Corporal with the Army’s Second Infantry Division. He was employed by the former Reading Railroad, then by Conrail until retiring.

He was a member of the former St. Kieran R.C. Church, Heckscherville, and a current member of Holy Family Parish, Minersville.

The last of thirteen children, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Girard, John, James, Charles and Leroy Brennan; seven sisters, Margaret Spieles, Elizabeth Razzi, Mary A. Brennan, Frances Walsh, Veronica Brennan, Anna Hubler and Theresa O’Connor.

He is survived by nieces and nephews, including Monsignor Edward J. O’Connor, Pottsville, Annette Peron, Branch Township, and Patricia Walsh, Eileen Greenaway and Brian Brennan, all of Port Carbon.

The family will accept visitors at St. Patrick Church, 319 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, on Friday from 10:00 A.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor O’Connor at 11:00 A.M. Interment with military honors will be in St. Kieran #2 Cemetery, Branch Township. Visitors and attendees are expected to follow CDC guidelines.

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Vincent A. Gargano
, age 83, of Saint Clair passed away Thursday, September 10th, 2020 at Stone Ridge Town Center in Myerstown, PA. 

Born in Saint Clair, PA on June 19, 1937, he was the son of the late Pantaleo and Theresa (Brigandi) Gargano. Vince was a graduate of Saint Clair High School, Class of 1956. He served in the U.S. Air Force 1956-1960. Vince was a mail sorter and machine operator for the United States Postal Service in Pottsville for over 40 years until retiring in 2001. Over his lifetime, Vince was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in St. Clair, UNICO National, the American Son's of Italy in Palo Alto, Saint Clair Fish and Game Club, and the Saint Clair AmVets. He was a lifetime member of Citizen's Fire Company in Palo Alto. Vince enjoyed all sports, music, and the company of his family and friends. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 11 years, Lois C. (Troilo) Gargano on September 20, 1977 and two sisters: Mary Theresa Stock and Carmella Yesavage. Vince is survived by his daughter Regina (Gargano) Fredericks and her husband Edward, Pottsville; four grandchildren: Jordan Hedemann, Pottsville, Angela Hedemann, Philadelphia, Megan Hahner, North Carolina, and Miranda Hahner, Saint Clair; two great grandchildren Allegra and Charlotte; his faithful and loving companion Alice Straub, Valley View; and nieces, nephews and great nephews. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Saint Clair at 11:30AM on Thursday, September 17th, with Msgn William Glosser officiating. Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing Thursday morning from 9-11AM at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home in Port Carbon. Interment with Military Honors will be held in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Pottsville. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter, Attn: Schuylkill County, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to the Disabled American's Veteran's Local Chapter at www.dav.org. Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com

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Jean A. Templin
, age 93, of Port Carbon, PA passed away Thursday, September 10th, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Allentown. 

Born in Pottsville, PA on January 11, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Catherine (Haley) Weismiller. Jean was the former co-owner of Diamond Jim's Bar in Schoentown. She was a member of the former St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church in Port Carbon. 

Jean was the last surviving member of her immediate family, being preceded in death by her parents, her twin brother, John Weismiller and three sisters: Dorothy Azbell, Rita Szelegia, and Mary Markowski. Jean is survived by her husband of 55 years, James A. Templin, Port Carbon; two daughters: Mary Ann Sekelic Camarda, Schuylkill Haven and Rita Nein, Mrytle Beach, SC; a son Andrew Sekelic and his wife Linda, Wolmelsdorf; 6 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in St. Clair at 11:30AM on Wednesday, September 16th, with Msgr. William Glosser officiating. Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing Wednesday morning from 9-11AM at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home in Port Carbon. Interment will be held in the Schuylkill Memorial Park Cemetery in Schuylkill Haven. Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com

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Dolores M. Dixon, age 85, of Pottsville, PA passed away Friday, September 11th, 2020 at Schuylkill Center in Pottsville. 

Born in Pottsville, PA on July 25, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Carrie (Morgan) Long. Dolores was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School. She was a LPN graduate of the Hamburg State Hospital and worked at the Good Samaritan Hospital for 10 years. She was also a waitress at Federal Lunch in Pottsville. Dolores was a member of The Salvation Army in Pottsville, past 10 year President of Pottsville F.O.E. and past holder of all other offices. Past officer of the Pottsville Order of Moose. Member of the Salvation Army, she was a sunbeam leader and member of the Women's Home League, and past secretary and treasurer for 10 years at the Pottsville SCOOP. 

She was the last surviving member of immediate family, being preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles L. Dixon, son Kenneth W. Chaney, brothers: William, Leonard, Reyonld, and Kenneth, sister Betty Baker Dolores is survived by daughters: Dorine Foreman and her husband Ronald, Ashland; Donna Garber and her husband Ronald, Jim Thorpe; Charlene Freeze and her husband Michael, Port Carbon; and Kimberly Tobias, Pottsville; a son Joseph Chaney, Florida; 20 grandchildren, and 37 great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews A Religious Service will be held at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon at 1PM on Tuesday, September 15th, . Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing Tuesday from 11-1PM at the Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Charles Baber Cemetery Pottsville. In Lieu of flowers please send donations to either the Salvation Army at 200 Sanderson Street, Pottsville, PA 17901 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please send condolences to www.robertaevansjrfh.com.

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Marie E. Lehotta, a longtime resident of Tamaqua Pennsylvania, and 4 year resident of Heritage Hills Sr. Living Ctr. in Weatherly, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 11, 2020, at Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest at 91 years of age.

Born Friday, August 2, 1929 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late Harry and Margaret (McCall) Scheitrumpf. Marie was also predeceased by; her husband, Edgar J. Lehotta in 1987; daughter, Joan Ann Wheaton in 2017; sister, Nancy Jamieson who passed in 2005.

Surviving are daughter, Donna Wilson and her husband Stephen of Saratoga Springs, NY.; a warm and loving grandmother to, Timothy Wilson and his wife Melissa of Hopkinton MA,, Alison Johnson wife of the late William Johnson who passed away in 2012 of Saratoga Springs, NY,, Christopher Wilson and his wife Shannon McCarthy of Saratoga Springs, NY.; beloved great grandmother (GG) to, Olivia, and Stephen Johnson of Saratoga Springs, NY., Emma, and Ryan Wilson of Hopkinton, MA.; son-in-law Dan Wheaton of Hometown; loving aunt to several nieces and nephews.

A graduate of the former St. Jerome High School, Marie was a member of St. John XXIII R.C.C. of Tamaqua. Marie worked for the former J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills and retired in 1993. Upon retirement, Marie moved to Frankford Delaware residing there until 2016.

Marie will be missed by all for there are so many wonderful cherished memories.

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

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

Memorials in her name to:

Lehigh Valley Hospice 2024 Lehigh Street, Suite 100 Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103
or
Heritage Hill Senior Community 800 Sixth Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255

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



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David K Koppenhaver, age 65, of Minersville, formerly of Hegins, passed away Friday, September 11, 2020 at his residence.

He was born on Thursday, December 2, 1954, in Pottsville, a son of the late Guy K Koppenhaver and the late Shirley A Miller Koppenhaver.

He was a 1972 graduate of Tri-Valley High School.

David retired from Hydo Extrusions, Cressona in January 2020 after 35 years of employment.

He was a member of Friedens Lutheran Church, Hegins.

He was also a member of FAandM Valley Lodge, Valley View and the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

David was an avid bird watcher, enjoyed running, ball room dancing, traveling, and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife Barbara M Connolly Koppenhaver, to whom he was married for 2 years.

He is also survived by a daughter, Bethany M Storms of Minersville; a son, Daniel G Koppenhaver of Erdman; four grandchildren, Eleanor, Grayson, Ava Lynn, and Connor; a sister, Mary Jane Allvord and her husband Roger of Hegins; three nephews; and his beloved pets Missy, Weenie, Oliver, and Brice.

Masonic services will be held at the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, at 9:30 am, on Thursday, September 17, 2020.

A viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday at the funeral home.

Due to the current COVID restrictions, private services, with Rev Mark Swanson officiating, will follow the public viewing.

Private burial will be made in Fountain Community Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, 18 Wertz Dr, Pine Grove, PA 17963.

Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of David K. Koppenhaver please visit our Sympathy Store.


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