Monday, July 12, 2021

Skook News Obituaries: July 11th, 2021

                                                                                                                                                                         

Skook News Obituaries:  July 11th, 2021

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Linda Mae Waranavage
, 73, of Hometown, PA died on Friday, July 9, 2021, at home. She was the wife of Frederick William Waranavage to whom she was married 41 years. 

Born on December 14, 1947 in Palmerton, PA, Linda was the daughter of the late Thomas and Hazel (Campbell) Lishman. A 1965 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she worked in quality control at the former J. E. Morgan Knitting Mills. Linda was also employed as a receptionist in a doctor’s office and at Cabella’s. She owned and operated her own ceramics shop, Linda’s Ceramics. Linda enjoyed spending time in her flower garden, watching the New Orleans Saints, and loved horses. She was a member of the White Church, Rush Township, PA. 

In addition to her husband, Frederick, Linda is survived by son Thomas Waranavage and his wife Patricia of Lebanon, PA; daughter, Michelle Waranavage; and several grandchildren including Katelyn Mae Waranavage and Jack Waranavage. 

Services will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, July 15 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua with Pastor Robert Adams officiating. Interment in Sky View Memorial Park, Hometown will follow the services. Call 9-11 AM Thursday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. 

Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it we are going back from whence we came.” - President John F. Kennedy

David W. Unger, 81, was called by his eternal father on July 9, 2021 at the Lebanon VA Medical Center.

Born in Pottsville, June 2, 1940, he was the son of the late William V. and Leona I. Unger (nee Petry).

He attended Pottsville Area High School, and later gained his GED while serving in the US Army from 1962 to 1965. He held his Real Estate and Appraisal licenses from the State of Pennsylvania. In addition to serving his country, he spent many years as an entrepreneur, and finished his career as a civil servant.

Married to Linda M. Daubert on April 20, 1968, they owned and operated The Wax Kettle and Unger’s TV & Appliance. The Wax Kettle was started in the family home in Pine Grove, PA, and then relocated to Schuylkill Haven, PA. The centerpiece of the business was its own artisanal candles. Later, Unger’s TV & Appliance became the largest exclusive Zenith dealer in central Pennsylvania.

After the passing of his first wife, Dave married his second wife Cheryl R. Jones (nee McAllen) on December 4, 1999. With Cheryl at his side, he finished his career as the Chief Assessor of Schuylkill County, PA, and they retired together to North East, MD.

Any program could expect to be raised to a higher level when Dave was involved. 4-H members were given whatever time, materials, and expertise they required. The Boy Scouts could count on him to serve as a Leader at Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation. In his time as a Board Member of the Schuylkill County Fair Association, he helped oversee immense growth of the midway, eventually leading to annual sell-outs and waiting lists.

In his later years, Dave found a calling to be near the water, and he exercised this calling primarily on the Chesapeake Bay, with North East, MD as his final home. He also rediscovered his love of model airplanes, and was an active member of the Buck R/C Club.

Dave was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda M. Unger (nee Daubert); and his second wife, Cheryl R. Unger (nee McAllen).

Surviving is a son, Matt Unger and his wife Jeniva; two grandchildren, Alexis and Lindy.

A graveside ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. July 31, 2021 at the Schuylkill Church of the Brethren, 347 Sweet Arrow Lake Road, Pine Grove with Pastor Mike Barnhart officiating. Interment of ashes will be in the Schuylkill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Pine Grove, PA.

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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nancy Lou Weigand
, 84 of Pottsville, died peacefully Saturday at home.

She was born September 23, 1936 in Pottsville a daughter of the late Wendell and Dorothy Davis Meadows.

She was a graduate of Pottsville High School.

Nancy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, where she was actively involved in Kitchen Committee, Frieda Hoh, Over 50, Circle of 5 and Ding A Ling bell choir.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert O. Weigand on Oct 1, 2000. 3 brothers, Donald, Wendell, and Robert Meadows; 1 sister, Mildred Wilson. Surviving are her son Gary C. Weigand, and his wife Janet, Pottsville; 3 daughters, Cindy L. Bohr, and her husband David, Mechanicsville; Jayne A. Dunkinson, and her husband Bob, Palmyra; Kelly J. Knorr and her husband Cliff, Pottsville; 10 grandchildren, AuBrie, Taylor, Brian, Janelle, Kendra, Vanessa, Brianna, Sierra, Lauren, Shane; 12 Great-Grandchildren, Robert, Dylan, Emera, Avah, Ella, Brynlye, Maxton, Maddox, Allegra, Freddy, Jackson, Beckett, and 2 more great-grandchildren, on the way; a brother, Thomas Meadows, Lenhartsville; Nieces and nephews.

Service of Remembrance will be held Saturday at 11AM from Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville with Rev. Chris Rothharpt officiating. Family and Friends are invited to a visitation from 9-11AM Saturday at the church. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of Contributions in memory of Nancy be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 W. Arch St. Pottsville, PA 17901. Interment will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.

Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, James B. Humphrey, F.D.

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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

George L. Smith Jr.
, Dushore, formerly of Llewellyn, died Thursday at the Guthrie Packer Medical Center in Sayre where he had been a patient for three weeks.

Born June 13, 1941 in Pottsville, he was the son of the late George L. Smith Sr., and Ethel Curnow Greene.

A 1959 graduate of Pottsville High School, he worked for H.L. Green in the city before moving to Connecticut. In 1963 he joined the Xaverian Missionaries and studied at the order's seminaries in Holliston Mass. and Franklin Wisc.

He later worked for Pantry Pride, and McCrory Stores in Reading and Ephrata. After returning to Pottsville in 1984 he worked for H&R Block and later drove clients for the EARN Program.

George published several books, "A Sign of Contradiction," a group of reflections on the life of Christ, and the "Summer Dreams" series of four books based on his life experiences.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church where he served on the cemetery committee.

In 2019 he moved to Dushore to be in an area he had often visited and grown to love.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Earl, Thomas, Clyde, William and Edward and his sisters Rachel, Ethel, and Beverly.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lee Ann Schoffstahl, his former wife, Josephine Plappert, brother Robert, and sisters Millie, Betty, Sally, Eileen and Sue; his children, Brian husband of Marie, Donna wife of James, Andrew and his partner Sue, Matthew, Marcy wife of Brian, Sean and his partner Mia, and Maria; grandchildren, Matthew, Marcus, Luke, John, Thomas, Genevieve, Timothy, Elizabeth, Quentin, Nicole, Connor, Brianna (Sam), Eli, Delaney, Grace, Anthony husband of Brianna, Emily and fiancé Tom, many nieces and nephews, and his cat, Sundance. Two great grandchildren are expected.

Service of Remembrance will be held 11AM Saturday, July 24th at the James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 9AM until the time of services. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of George be made to St. John No. 2 Cemetery Fund 913 Mahantongo St. Pottsville, PA 17901 of Hillside SPCA PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901.

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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert P. “Bob” Banditelli
, 74, of Tamaqua, passed away Friday, July 9, 2021, in Lehigh Valley Hospice, Allentown. He was the husband of Nancy (Keck) Banditelli. They were married on May 31, 1997 and celebrated 24 years of marriage. 

Prior to retiring, he was employed as the Director of Rehabilitation for Mobility Unlimited, Allentown, for 30 years. Born in Coaldale, he was the son of the late A. Joseph and Susan A. (Sincavage) Banditelli. He was of Protestant faith. Bob was a Navy veteran. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, West Penn Rod and Gun Club, Owl Creek Reservoir Commission, and a ham radio operator with the call sign WB3JZP. Bob loved his family, fishing, cooking, and going to the casino. He was a member of the former renowned Schuylkill County Band “The Chevelles”. 

He was also preceded in death by a brother Thomas. 

Surviving in addition to his wife Nancy, are a brother, Albert and his wife, Isabelle, of Tamaqua; sister-in-law, Carol Banditelli, of Tamaqua; several nieces and nephews. 

Services will be held at 11am on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold. Calling hours 9:30 to 11am. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold. 

Online condolences may be made at www.hartmanfuneralhomeinc.com.