Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Skook News Obituaries: November 24th, 2020


Skook News Obituaries: November 24th, 2020

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John Stanley Bernadyn Jr.
of Frackville, Pennsylvania joined our Lord on Tuesday, November 23, 2020, at the age of 72. John died peacefully with his beloved and faithful wife of 47 years, Mary Therese K. Bernadyn, by his side.

Born on June 8, 1948 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania to John S. Bernadyn Sr. and Mildred A. (Waak) Bernadyn, he was the oldest of two sons. John is a 1966 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School and a 1970 graduate of Bloomsburg University (BSEd). He returned to his high school alma mater where he dedicated 30 years to teaching in the elementary and intermediate schools.

Following his retirement from teaching in 1999 John and Mary Therese enjoyed traveling throughout the country to spend time with their daughter. John always had a passion for music, he had a great talent for the accordion and organ and had a wonderful voice. He also enjoyed bowling and playing cards.

In addition to his wife Mary Therese and daughter Angela, John is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Robert and Linda Bernadyn; nephews Robert and David Bernadyn; son-in-law Matthew Estrada; grandsons Zane and Drake Estrada; brothers-in-law Bill and George Kern and his life partner Peggy; sister-in-law Denise Kern.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 20 W. Pine St., Mahanoy City, PA 17948 on Tuesday December 1st at 11:00 am. Friends may call from 9 to 11 In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Hillside SPCA at https://www.hillsidespca.com/donate/ or by mail to: Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.

Family prefers donations in John’s name be made to Endowment fund, at St. Paul’s UCC Mahanoy City or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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

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W. Thomas Boussum
, 83, passed away Tuesday, November 17th, at Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Shenandoah.

Wayne was born in Schuylkill Haven, PA on July 19, 1937, a son of the late Velma (Deibler) and Luther Boussum.

He was a Christ Servant Minister Emeritus of the United Methodist Church, and was a member of the Salem United Methodist Church, Orwigsburg.

He attended Albright College and was a United States Navy Veteran. He drove cab for his family Cab Company in Schuylkill Haven and was also a reporter/editor for the Pottsville Republican and a computer technical writer for the US government.

He loved God, family, math, science, history, genealogy, jazz, computers, old cars, fishing in Canada and astronomy.

He is survived by a son Thomas S. Boussum of Shenandoah, and a daughter Christel Liptok of Pottsville, grandchildren Ashely Cordova, Nicholas J. Liptok, Thomas Jr, and Jason Boussum, all of Pottsville and John J. Liptok of Gordon.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia A. Seitz and a grandson Brian. M Liptok.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

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

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Thomas J. “Buddy” Bachike
, 86 of Frackville formerly of Shenandoah passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street, Pottsville.

Born in Shenandoah on June 4, 1934 he was the son of the late Nadine (Oliver) Smith.

Buddy was a 1954 graduate of the former J.W. Copper High School, Shenandoah.

He was employed as a frozen food manager, first at the former Genetti’s Supermarket, Shenandoah, then for the former Anthony’s Supermarket, Frackville and then its successor, the former TJ Bart’s Supermarket, Frackville from which he retired.

Mr. Bachike served his country in the Army.

On April 30, 1961 in the former Saint Stephen’s Church, Shenandoah, he married the former Mary Lou Lazor who survives.

He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah formerly Saint Stephen’s Church. He was an avid fan of the Washington Redskins and enjoyed listening to country music. But above all, Buddy will be remembered as being kind, big-hearted, gentle and a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Preceding him in death in addition to his mother, Nadine (Oliver) Smith was his daughter, Christina M. “Tina” Sass on November 25, 2017.

Surviving are his wife of fifty-nine years, Mary Lou Bachike of Frackville; his step-father, Ronald R. Smith of Frackville; his grandson, Joseph J. “JJ” Sass and his wife Cristina of Miami, Florida; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 10:00 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry St., Shenandoah with Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will follow in Saint Stephen’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A viewing will be held in the church on Monday morning from 9:00 am until 10:00 am. All state and federal COVID-19 guidelines and regulations will be observed; masks and social distancing will be required.

Buddy’s family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to the staff of both Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Shenandoah Heights and Schuylkill Medical Center, East Norwegian Street, Pottsville for the care they provided him.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to Divine Mercy Parish Memorial Fund, c/o 108 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah, PA 17976.

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

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Ricky Lee Reinert, 63 of Shenandoah passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey.

He was the son of the late Lewis and Arlene (Romig) Reinert.

Ricky was a graduate of Brandywine High School, Mertztown.

Surviving are his wife Beth Reinert of Shenandoah; two step-daughters, Inge Collins and her husband James of Harrisburg and Kat Walker of Los Angeles, California; three grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be private 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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Joseph W. Collucci, 85, of Silver Creek, New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 17th, 2020 at his residence.

Born Jan. 1, 1935, in Silver Creek, he was a son of the late Joseph and Anna Ziler Collucci.

Joe was a member of Holy Cross Church, New Philadelphia.

He was drafted into the Army in 1957 serving with CoB 31st Transportation Battalion as a specialist 4 in Germany until he was honorably discharged in 1959. Before retiring in 1997, Joe worked for Nava Solutions, as a foreman for 28 1/2 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and was always known to offer a helping hand.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Theresa Gately Colucci, on Nov. 27, 2015; baby girl, Collucci, stillborn in 1966; sister, Joan Harkins; four stepsisters, Elizabeth, Elenore, Katherine and Levina.

Joseph is survived by a son, Chris Collucci, of Cumbola; two grandchildren, Joshua and Madison Collicci, of New Philadelphia; sister, Deloris Sabisky, of Norfolk, Va.

Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family under the care of Thomas J. Bartashus Funeral Home, New Philadelphia.

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Theresa A. Collucci
, 79, of Silver Creek, New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully Friday evening at the Schuylkill Center, Orwigsburg.

Born in Saint Clair, Feb. 6, 1936, she was a daughter of the late John and Margrete Maley Gately.

She was a graduate of St. Stephen's High School, Port Carbon, and was a member of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, New Philadelphia. Before retiring, Theresa was employed as a seamstress in the local garment industry.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, at birth in 1966; brothers, Leo, Edward, Francis and George.

Theresa is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Joseph Collucci, Silver Creek; son, Chris Collucci, Cumbola; grandson, Joshua; granddaughter, Madison; brother, Vincent Gately, Port Carbon; and sister, Margrete Fritz, North Carolina.

The funeral will be private and at the convenience of the family. Thomas J. Bartashus Funeral Home, New Philadelphia, has charge of arrangements

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Beverly A. Savakinas, 72, of Shenandoah, passed away on Friday, November 20th in Pottsville, Pa.

Born in Shenandoah on November 22nd, 1947, she was the daughter of the late John and Helen Savakinas.

She was a 1965 graduate of the former Shenandoah Catholic High School. Beverly worked as a beautician and then as a secretary for Betty Ann Bugden’s Total Image Salon in Shenandoah and previously as a secretary for Dr. Curry in Pottsville. She enjoyed listening to the oldies, especially Elvis, and she liked to play bingo.

Besides her parents, she was preceded by 3 brothers, John, Ralph, and George Savakinas.

Surviving are her brother, Ronald Savakinas with his wife Nancy – Ringtown, a sister-in-law, Helen Savakinas – Gordon, and nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will take place on Wednesday, December 2nd at 10am in the Our Lady of Dawn Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.

Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah are entrusted with the arrangements.

To offer condolences, please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com

Due to Covid-19, all social distancing and mask requirements will be followed.

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