Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Schuylkill County Obituaries: August 23rd, 2021

                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Skook News Obituaries:  August 23rd, 2021

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.

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Margaret “Marlene” (George) Kriner, 85, of Norwegian Twp., passed away Saturday, August 21, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Minersville on May 13, 1936, she was a daughter of the late Nelson and Clara (McClure) George.

Marlene was a 1954 graduate of Minersville Area High School where she had a permanent place on the Honor Roll. She loved music and played the violin and piano in the High School Orchestra. She went on to become a Registered Nurse, graduating from The Reading Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. She worked as a Labor and Delivery Nurse at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville until after the birth of her fifth child, Paula. After Paula’s diagnosis of PKU, Marlene became a fierce advocate for those with mental and physical disabilities. In 1973, she began working as an Early Intervention/Infant Stimulation Developmental specialist and home visitor at United Cerebral Palsy (now Avenues) at Agricultural Park, Pottsville until she retired in December 2006. After her retirement, she served on the Avenues Board from July 2007 until July 2019. She loved her work, made many lifelong friends there and touched the lives of many parents and children.

She married the love of her life on May 24, 1958. Over the next ten years, they welcomed five children into the world. Her children and grandchildren were everything to her. She loved to dance and we would often find her and our Dad in the kitchen dancing to polkas. She enjoyed listening to Elvis music and especially loved singing in the Senior Choir at Trinity Lutheran Church. She loved to read--there was always a stack of books she was working on. She enjoyed travelling especially on trips to Canada and always enjoyed going antique hunting with our Dad. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and always asked “When am I going to see you again?” She especially loved the seasons of Easter and Christmas and her beloved Trinity Lutheran Church.
She loved spending time on her back porch watching birds and the ever changing clouds. She loved her flower gardens—especially her lavender plants. Hope Hill Lavender Farm was a very special place to her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Ronald A. Kriner and infant brother, Nelson.

Marlene is survived by sons, Todd Kriner, Lehighton, PA, David Kriner, Macomb, MI and Dr. Ronald M. Kriner and wife, Maria, Bethlehem, PA; daughters, Felicia Funderburk, Bethlehem, PA and Paula Kriner, Pottsville; grandchildren, Erika Renee Fetterolf, Los Angeles, CA, Rebecca Louise (Kriner) Devitt, Orwigsburg, Evan, Noah and Ava Kriner, Bethlehem, PA, Seth and Lindsey Kriner and their Mom, Anita, Lusby, MD, and Claire Funderburk, France, and her Dad, William; sister, Ethel George, Minersville, and her adorable cat, Precious.

Family and friends may visit on Thursday from 6:00 -8:00 PM at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, at 11:00 AM, with a visitation before the service at 10:00 AM. Officiating will be Pastor Chris Rothharpt. Interment will follow at The Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.

Memorial donations may be made to Avenues. 2 Park St., Pottsville, PA 17901 or Trinity Lutheran Church. 300 West Arch St. Pottsville, PA 17901

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Rachel (Becker) Mekosh
, 69 of Shenandoah passed away on Friday, August 20, 2021 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Born in Shenandoah on July 20, 1952, she was a daughter of the late William and Mary (Schwalm) Becker.

Surviving are her son, Michael Williams of Drums; one grandson, Michael Williams, Jr.; one granddaughter, Haven Williams; three sisters, Mildred Jablonski and Theresa Lawson both of Shenandoah and Lillian Kimmel of Mahanoy City; two brothers, Joseph Becker and Francis Becker both in Tennessee; an uncle and aunt, Dave and Vivian Becker of Shenandoah; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Religious services will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 10:00 am at Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Rev. Mindy Heppe will officiate. A visitation will be held on Saturday morning from 8:00 am until 10:00 am at the funeral home.

Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.

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Kenneth B. Walsh
, 60, of Ashland, PA passed away Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA.

Born April 22, 1961 in Edison, NJ, the son of the late Thomas and Louise (Peruso) Walsh. He was a high school graduate in New Jersey and was a truck driver for DMS Disposal Co. He enjoyed Yankees baseball.

He is survived by his wife Debra (Flagg) Hamlett. Two daughters and a son: Jessica Walsh, Ashland; Sara Krykew and her husband Matthew, Oxford, PA; Kevin Walsh and his wife Jenn, Greeley, PA. A step-daughter, Debbie Leedon and her husband, Richard, Ashland. 4 Grandchildren and 2 Step Grandchildren, Alexus and Alyssa. 2 sisters: Dianne and Kathy. 2 brothers: Scott and Michael. Nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas and a sister, Lisa.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. Charles Heizenroth III, Supervisor

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John G. Widitz, 90, of Ringtown, passed away Monday, August 23rd, 2021.

John was born in Sheppton, on September 16, 1930, a son of the late Anna (Yurick) and John Widitz.

In 1948, while a senior at the former Sheppton High School, John enlisted in the United States Air Force, and served his country during the Korean War.

After returning from the service, he lived in Ringtown and worked for the former Purolator Products in Ringtown, retiring as a supervisor. After retirement, he was employed by Tri State Envelope in Ringtown, and then as a maintenance man for the Shenandoah Manor Nursing Home.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Ringtown, and also enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as bowling and golfing.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Donald.

John is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elizabeth (Briggs) Widitz, Ringtown; his daughter, Barbara Widitz of Shenandoah, and his granddaughter, Jennifer Marhon of Shenandoah, along with nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at 7:30 PM on Thursday, August 26th at the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, 412 West Main Street, Ringtown, with Pastor Jay Serafin officiating. Visitatioin will be held from 6 PM until the time of the service.

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Anne Maureen Kanish, 66 of Pottsville, died Sunday at Providence Place Retirement Community, Pottsville.

She was born in Pottsville a daughter of the late Leo V. and Anne Hornberger Post.

She was a 1973 graduate of Nativity BVM High School and attended Penn State University.

Anne worked for AAA, Pottsville, prior to retiring.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Kanish, on April 14, 2020

Surviving are many friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11AM Thursday at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville. Friends are invited to a viewing from 10AM until the time of mass. Memorial contributions in memory of Anne can be made to St. Patrick Memorial Fund, 319 Mahantongo St. Pottsville, PA 17901. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.

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

Please share your memories and condolences by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com

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