Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born April 8, 1942 in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Hulock) Stepen.
She was a graduate of Nativity BVM High School. She was employed by the former Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville, as a nursing assistant for over 30 years.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth W.Elrod, Sr. (1989); brother Jim Stepen and sister Doreen Berger.
Joanne will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family. She is survived by her daughters Denise Miles wife of Barry, Clarks Summit; Danielle Coldwell wife of Dan, Pottsville; Melissa Barrett wife of Robert J., Pottsville; son Kenneth W. Elrod, Jr. husband of Angela, Charolette NC; grandchildren Addison Miles, Taylor Brigade, Brandon Elrod and his fiancee Kara Krammes, Kirsten Wentzel fiancée of Corey Sabol, Zachary Wentzel, Mallory Wentzel, Kenny Elrod III, and Owen Elrod; great-grandchildren Makayla and Connor Elrod; brother Joseph Stepen, Pine Grove; and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Joanne’s Life will take place Saturday, November 13 from 3 to 5 PM at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home 515 West Market St. Pottsville. Rev. Lorainne Heckman, Off. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Please visit schlitzerallenpugh.com to share a memory of Joanne.
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After his honorable discharge in 1958, Earl worked in the insurance business for 10 years before he decided to go to college and fulfill a lifelong wish to be a teacher. He finished in three years. Upon graduation, he was hired as a remedial reading teacher in the Pine Grove Area School District, leaving there in the fall to teach English and Reading at Pottsville Area. In 2 months there was an opening for a math teacher in the St. Clair Area School District. Earl got the position and taught in St. Clair from 1970 until his retirement in 1997.
Earl was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Frackville and served on the church council. He was a life member of the Elks B.P.O.E. #1533, Frackville, where he was a trustee for 10 years. He was Chairman of the House Committee for 2 years. He served on the Youth Activities Committee; the Scholarship Committee; the Drug Awareness Committee. He was one of the original organizers of the Special Projects Fund. He also played on the Elks’ Championship Softball Team. He was a life member of the U.S. Navy Club #257, Minersville and a member of the American Legion Post #398, Frackville. He was one of the founders of the Veterans’ Club of Kutztown University. Earl was a life member of the St. Clair Fish and Game Club, Bear’s Head Sportsman Association. He was a member of the St. Clair Area Teachers Association and Served on the Negotiating Committee. He was also building representative. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association and the National Education Association.
He was a great fan of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. Earl was well known for his hilarious sense of humor, which helped him attract friends through life and all around the world. Valeria (Marcavage) Davis, his loving wife of 62 years, travelled with him to Alaska, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Wales and 49 of the 50 U.S. states.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister Sandra Jordan, of Ashland, son-in-law Paul Trier of Philadelphia, 2 sisters-in-law, Lucy Fox of St. Clair, Rita Postick of Pottsville, 2 godchildren Brenda Wabby Day of Chicago, IL and Jill Davis of Philadelphia, two step-granddaughters, and numerous nieces and nephews. Earl was preceded in death by his daughter, Lynn Davis Trier, and his brothers Harry, Jack and Bill.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday November 13, 2021 at Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 N. Second St. St. Clair, PA 17970. Reverend Carl Shankweiler will officiate. Friends may call during visitation on Friday, November 12, from 6 to 8 PM and 9 to 10:30 AM on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Frackville Library 56 N. Lehigh Ave. Frackville, PA 17931 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38148-0142. Burial with military honors will be held in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, St. Clair. Condolences may be sent to http://www.brucehartfunerahome.com
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Born in Pottsville, Nov. 4, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Ruth (Schoenfelder) Pretti.
She worked at the former Pennsylvania National Bank, Pottsville, in its trust department.
Carol is survived by her husband of 55 years, Alex Bernitsky, and sister, Lois Dodds and her husband, Vince, of Saint Clair.
Private services will be held at the convenience of family in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901. Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, Saint Clair, is in charge of arrangements.
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