Friday, October 1, 2021

Skook News Obituaries: September 30th, 2021

                 

Skook News Obituaries: September 30th, 2021

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.

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Theresa Zakrewsky, 87, of Mahanoy City, PA, passed away Wednesday, September 29th, at Lehigh Valley East Norwegian, Pottsville.

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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Margaret E. Mark
, 55, of Pottsville, died Tuesday September 28, 2021, at LVHN – Schuylkill – East Norwegian St., Pottsville.

Born in Pottsville, October 19, 1965, She was a daughter of the late Charles and Margaret (Moyer) Kissinger Smith.

She was a member of Bible Tabernacle Pentecostal Church, Schuylkill Haven.

Surviving are 2 daughters Tabetha Mark and her fiancé Cody Mitchell of Pottsville; Tiffany Mark and her fiancé Chad Lytle of Pottsville; 2 sons, Gregory Mark of Pottsville; Charles Kissinger of Birdsboro; step-son Anthony Mark Jr. and his wife Barbara of St. Clair; 3 sisters, Elizabeth Zinavage, Crystal Cook and Kathleen Gradwell; 4 Grandchildren: Leon, Kaya, Alexis and Kayden; nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday October 13, 2021, from Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street St. Clair PA 17970. Friends may call from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Wednesday at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bible Tabernacle Pentecostal Church 411 High Street Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972. Burial will be in Church of God Cemetery Mill Street, Auburn.

Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent to http://www.brucethartfuneralhome.com

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Ruth E. Kaufman
, 86, of Muir, passed away Thursday, September 30, 2021 at UPMC - Pinnacle, Harrisburg.

Born in Tower City, May 22, 1935, a daughter of the late Charles and Ruth Evans Antes. Ruth was a 1953 graduate and Valedictorian of the former Tower City High School. She was last employed in the accounting department at the former JC Hess Ford.

She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tower City.

She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Richard E. Kaufman; a daughter Donita Neyhard Hess (Gregory), Palmyra; grandson Derek Hess, Kutztown; granddaughter Molly Knox (Benjamin), Hershey; great granddaughter, Katelyn Knox; step-daughter, Kim Hassinger (Robert), Elizabethville; step-son, Leif Kaufman (Patty), Mexico. Step-grandsons, Eli Hassinger (Elena Werth), Philadelphia and Erik Kaufman, Mexico. step-granddaughter, Kali Hassinger, Birmingham, MI and Kaitlin Hansbury (Michael) Ashland. Step-great grandchildren, Elliot Hassinger; Eva, Ellie and Brennan Hansbury. Sister, Ellen Lees (Mike), Harrisburg.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 11:00 am from the Greenwood Cemetery, Tower City with Revs. Tom Bruner and Kathy Ash-Flashner. In lieu of flowers donations in Ruth’s memory should be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 415 East Grand Avenue, Tower City, PA 17980.

The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City has been entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com

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John W. Horton, Sr.
, 74, of Williamstown, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at the Hershey Medical Center after a valiant three week fight against COVID-19.

Born in Corning, NY, January 28, 1947, a son of the late Robert and Ruth Weiskopff Horton. He was raised in Covington, PA. John was a United States Navy Veteran.

He was a retired truck driver.

He was a faithful and dedicated member of the Twin Valley Alliance Church, Williamstown. He was very active in the Williamstown community, where he enjoyed volunteering with the backpack program, the children's after school program, driving the elderly or just lending a hand wherever needed.

John loved his Lord and had a servants heart.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Linda L. James Horton, four children; Carrie Horton, Holly Horton, Heather McNett (Michael) and John Horton, Jr., (Katie). Nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. One brother, James Horton, one sister, Carla Mader. Nieces, nephews, and his church family.

A Celebration of John's life will take place on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 11:00 am from the Twin Valley Alliance Church, Williamstown with Pastor Joel McGarvey officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name should be made to the Twin Valley Alliance Church, 9781 State Route 209, Williamstown, PA 17098.

The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. has been entrusted with the arrangements. To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com

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Mary Joan Rose, 69, of Orwigsburg, formerly of Minersville, passed away Monday, September 27th, at Geisinger St. Luke's , Orwigsburg. 

Mary was born in Pottsville, on August 27, 1952, a daughter of the late Ida and Linford Kline. She was the wife of James T. Rose. She was a former he Hairdresser. 

Mary is survived by her husband, James, a daughter, Heather Rose and a son, Jason Rose. Mary is also survived by her grandchildren Brooke and Devon Lemke. 

All services are private. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.

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Gregory M. Calkins, Jr., 
20, of Pottsville, died Thursday, September 23, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Foster Twp. 

Gregory was born in Pottsville, on February 23, 2001, a son of Roxanne Marie (Reber) Calkins and the late Gregory M. Calkins, Sr. He was employed as an aluminum extruder at Hydro in Cressona. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Gregory M. Calkins Sr. and a sister Lauren Garrett. 

Greg is survived by his mother Roxanne, five sisters, Nicole Calkins, Amber Garrett, Sarah Moradel, Cassandra Cruz and Adara, a brother, Marquis Calkins. He is also survived by his significant other Greta Schultz and his Grandmother Carol, wife of the late Robert Reber as well as uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Greg was a motorcycle enthusiast, an avid online “gamer” as well as participating in parkour. He especially enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews. 

All are respectfully invited to attend a Visitation 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, October 5th at the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc. in Minersville. 

A Religious service will be held at 7:30 pm. with Pastor Joan Weiderhold officiating. Interment at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. 

Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.

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John E. Miller, 65, of McAdoo and formerly of Reading, passed away suddenly Saturday at his home.

Born in Pottstown, he is the son of Alice (Hansley) Yerger, of McAdoo and the late George Ruben Miller.

John was a U.S. Army veteran and served as Sergeant during the Vietnam War.

Prior to retiring, John was a housing manager for many years.

He was of Christian faith and for several years served as an associate pastor in Lancaster, PA.

John was a member of the Hazleton Heights Gun Club and the Hazleton Area Dart League. He enjoyed hunting in his younger days and was a talented artist.

Surviving, are his wife of 12 years, Lisa (Adams) Miller; daughters Paula Miller and Heather Laskey, both of Reading, and Samantha Wilkinson of Oley; sons John E. Miller, Jr. of Gettysburg, Shane Miller of Latrobe and John Wilkinson of Oley; nine grandchildren; sisters Linda Kester of McAdoo; Lori Bingham of Idaho; Deborah Jackson of California; and Lisa Hassler of Bethel; and nieces and nephews also survive.

His funeral service will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at the Damiano Funeral Home, Inc., McAdoo.

Calling hours are Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home.

Interment with military honors will be held Tuesday, at 11 a.m. in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.

Condolences may be entered and information is available at www.damianofhinc.com.


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Mark E. Zapotosky
, 60, of Bloomsburg, passed away on September 26th at St. Luke’s Pavilion, Hazleton. Born on August 12, 1961, the son of Dolores M. (Kodak) Zapotosky, of McAdoo and the late Emil J. Zapotosky. He was also preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Michael & Anna (Yansura) Kodak, as well as his paternal grandparents Michael & Sue (Timko) Zapotosky.

Surviving him in addition to his mother, are his sister, Mary Beth Higgins and husband Patrick of Branchburg, New Jersey; his girlfriend, Patricia Herman of Berwick; Mark was also survived by two uncles and a few aunts; Robert & Mary Ann Pituck (godmother), Roger and Suzanne Manjone, Joyce Leggo, Karen Zapotosky, and Monica Zapotosky, plus numerous cousins.

Mark was a 1979 graduate of Hazleton High School. He retired from PPL after forty years of service working in increasing levels of responsibility from electrical shop to nuclear plant and more recently scheduling management of capital and maintenance projects.

Mark spent his life offering his time and talents to help those in need. He was the recipient of Pennsylvania’s Easter Seals Hazleton Brace-For-The-Ace Award in ’92. He was dedicated to the Helping Hands Society for twenty- eight years receiving the Humanitarian Award in ’96 and the VIP of the Year Award in ’04 and ’06 for outstanding continuous support of services for disabled children. Mark also spearheaded the annual Swing Club Thanksgiving food basket drive for families in need for the last several years.

Mark was a lifelong Jets fan, bowler, bocci ball player, avid fan of Antique Archaeology and American history. He was a chef in his own right constantly delighting his family with delicious meals of roasts, soups, and stews. He enjoyed hosting family gatherings keeping everyone close. He also adored owning and riding Harley’s for both traveling the country and participating in bike fundraisers.

Mark maintained a strong faith until the end with his daily prayers and rosary devotion.

Funeral arrangements will be confirmed at a later date based on the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Damiano Funeral Home, 24 East Blaine Street, McAdoo.

The family requests that those attending future services, please wear masks to protect the vulnerable.

To share a fond memory of Mark or to offer online condolences, please visit www.damianofhInc.com.