Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Skook News Obituaries: August 31st, 2021

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Skook News Obituaries:  August 31st, 2021

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.

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Virginia E. (Freeman) Heim
, 92 years of age, formerly of Orwigsburg Pennsylvania passed away peacefully on Monday, August 30, 2021, at Juniper Village in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania with her family, and beloved husband of 69 years, Donald N, Heim by her side.

Born Wednesday, April 24, 1929 in West Brunswick Twp, Pennsylvania. the daughter of the late John D., and Edna I (Dress) Freeman. Virginia was also predeceased by; sister, Marjorie R. Reed; brother, Daniel D. Freeman

Surviving are; sister, Elaine J. Ackerman; sister-in-law, May Freeman; brother-in-law, Clifford Reed; nieces Debra B. Angello, Donna B. Schubert; Michelle Covell; nephew, Greg Ackerman. Many great nieces and nephews also survive Virginia.

Virginia retired from the former Argo Mills in Orwigsburg after 42 years working as a machine operator. When residing in Orwigsburg, she was a member of Kimmels Evangelical Free Church. Virginia had a knack for raising Violets.

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884

Funeral services will be held on Saturday September 4, 2021 at 11 o'clock A.M. from the funeral home. Friends may call on the morning of from 9:30 A.M. until time of services. Pastor Jonathan M. Heim to officiate.

Interment will be in Kimmels Church Cemetery, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.

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Michael John "Blackie" Massar, Jr.
, of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania passed away on Monday, August 30, 2021 in Bethlehem surrounded by his family, at 73 years of age .

Born Monday, March 1, 1948 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania the son of the late Michael John, Massar Sr., and Phyllis (Menconi) Dunsavage. He was also predeceased by; son, Michael John Massar III in 2009; sister, Karen (Dunsavage) Yoder.

Surviving are daughters, Angela Stahl of Tamaqua, Nicole A. McDonnell, wife of Brian of Tamaqua; sister, Trisha Nowik and her husband Ben; grandchildren, Victoria, Timothy, Elizabeth, Dawson, Brianna, Kelsey, Sarah.

Catholic by faith Michael was a Tamaqua High School graduate, and served honorably in the United states Army during the Vietnam War. Michael worked as a Masonry contractor in Tamaqua. Michael was a member of the Tamaqua Legion Post. # 173

Funeral arrangements 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 with Military Honors to be bestowed will be held on Friday September 3, 2021 at 11 o'clock A.M. from Sky View Memorial Park 108 Lafayette Ave. Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252

Memorials in his name to:
Tamaqua American Legion Post 173
206 West Broad Street
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252

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

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Sharon A. Lonergan
, 69 of Pottsville, died peacefully Monday night, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.

She was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Mahanoy Plane, a daughter of the late Michael and Florence Yodesky Kitsock.

She was a 1969 Graduate of Mahanoy Area High School and a graduate of Alverina University with a B.A. in elementary education.

Prior to retiring Sharon taught at the D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, John S. Clarke Elementary Center, St. Peters Parochial School, and Nativity BVM High School.

Sharon was a member St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville where she was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Adult Altar Server, and a former member of the church choir. She was also a member and former local representative of the Pottsville Area School District Education Association.

Surviving are her husband, Deacon Larry Lonergan; 3 children, Liane Lonergan, Collin Lonergan, and Kevin Lonergan, all of Pottsville; a granddaughter, Donna Lonergan; 2 brothers, Michael Kitsock, Pottsville, and Robert Kitsock, Hershey; nieces, nephews, and two furry companies Taco and Squirrel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 11AM from St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 9-10:45AM at the church. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Sharon be made to St. Patrick Memorial Fund, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA 17901. Interment will follow 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 with Sharon's family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com

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Betty Lou Kieffer
, 92, of Girardville, formerly of N. Hanover St., Pottstown, passed away August 28, 2021, surrounded by her family, at her residence. Born in Benton Illinois, June 19, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Mary Walker Coulson. She was raised from the age of 3 in Ashland, until moving to Pottstown with her husband Carl “Red” Kieffer in 1955. They worked to build the business Red Kieffer’s Auto Repairs, working and operating the business until their retirement. They were also co-owners of Kieffer’s R.V. Sales. When Betty was not working at the garage, she was raising a family of 6 children, keeping a household going and helping to care for her parents. She was welcoming and loving for many friends and families. Her house was the “kool-aid” house where everyone wanted to congregate, play, eat, or sleep over. Her door was always open to anyone in need. After caring for her husband when he was ill, she returned to the mountains she loved in 2016, living in Girardville. She enjoyed the change of seasons and the star filled skies at night.

Preceding her in death was her husband of 64 years, Carl “Red” Kieffer, passing in 2008, brother James Coulson and a grandson, Robert “Bobby” Moser.

Survivors

Daughter: Mary Lou wife of Larry Kuser, Pottstown

Daughter: Lois Kieffer, and her spouse Donna Oley

Daughter: Barbara Kieffer and partner Russell Conestoga

Daughter: Karyl wife of Robert Moser, Girardville

Son: Ernest Kieffer and his wife Adelina, Birdsboro

Son: James Kieffer and his wife Donna, Pottstown

Sister: Carole Coulson Haynes, Pottstown

19 Grandchildren, 24 Great Grandchildren, many Nieces and Nephews

Relative and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Funeral Service, Saturday, 11 AM, September 4, 2021, at the Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, 1323 Centre St., Ashland, PA. Officiating will be Pastor Susan Hocking, of the Simpson United Methodist Church, Gordon. Visitation with family will begin at 10 AM until service. A Celebration of Life Service for Betty Lou and Carl will be held Friday, 12 Noon, September 10th, in the Catagnus Funeral Home, 711 N. Franklin St., Pottstown, PA., 19464. Internment will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Pottstown. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN., 38105, of any S.P.C.A. of your choice. Visit www.fritzfuneralhome.com.

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Ryan J. Little
, 24, of 505 E. 5th Street, passed away August 27, 2021.

He was born in Pottsville on April 16, 1997, the son of Ralph Little and Jodi (Rusinko) Wasilewski.

Ryan was a graduate of Southern Columbia Area High School and was employed as a proud pipeliner for the Local 158 Laborers Union.

Ryan was a loyal and affectionate fiancé to Jocelyn and a very loving and attentive father to his two-year-old daughter, Laney. He did everything he could to make sure his two favorite girls had whatever they needed to make their lives better.

Ryan loved to watch the Pittsburg Steelers and the Philadelphia Phillies. He was always willing to work and help anyone. He was a Donald Trump supporter and a proud republican. He also loved to fish, collect tools and watch televised UFC fights. Ryan loved pulling pranks, practical jokes and having a good time with his friends and family. He adored his parents and grandmother, Joann.

Ryan is survived by his mother, Jodi Wasilewski and husband, Michael of Kulpmont; father, Ralph Little of Mount Carmel; fiancé, Jocelyn Trocki of Mount Carmel; daughter, Laney Little of Mount Carmel; two brothers, Michael Wasilewski of Kulpmont and Joseph Wasilewski of Kulpmont; paternal grandmother, JoAnn Little of DeMar Gardens; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by paternal grandfather, James Little; and maternal grandparents, Joseph and Donna (Scicchitano) Rusinko.

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