Monday, November 29, 2021

Schuylkill County Obituaries for November 29th, 2021

                                                                        

Skook News Obituaries:  November 29th, 2021

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.

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

Larry P. Neugard
, 79, of Klingerstown, passed away Saturday, November 27th, at Green Valley Skilled Nursing and Rehab, Pottsville.

Born in Ashland, on August 18, 1942, he was a son of the late Marie (Miller) and Paul Neugard. He was preceded in death by his wife Dianne E. Neugard who passed away May 4, 2020.

Larry graduated from the Tri-Valley High School in 1960 and also graduated from Ford Business School in Pottsville.

He was employed as an accountant. He started his career working for Clyde Mehlman's Shop, then worked many years at Wagner W. M. Sales Company Inc. in Winfield and retired from Ram Industrial Services Inc., Leesport.

He was a member of the Salem Church of Rough and Ready. He was also a member of the Woodmen of the World Lodge 433 of Pitman.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren and attending their school and sporting events. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, going on walks and in his younger years enjoyed snowmobiling, bowling and golfing.

Larry is survived by two sons Brent, husband of Pam Neugard and Brady, husband of Angela Neugard,all of Klingerstown; 4 grandchildren, Brittany, Brock, Lexi, and Dawson Neugard and one sister, Carol, wife of Terry Stehr.

Viewing will be held on Friday December 3, 2021 from 10-11 AM at the Salem Church of Rough and Ready 11 Church Rd., Klingerstown with the funeral service following at 11 AM with Pastor Mark Mantz officiating. Interment will follow at Salem Cemetery Klingerstown, PA.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Church Memorial Fund, C/O Lori Brown 303 Valley Road, Klingerstown.

The Stephen R. Rothermel Funeral Home, Klingerstown has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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

Katherine Mae Moyer-Melochick
, 63, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 23, at Lehigh Valley Medical Center, Allentown.

Born Feb. 15, 1958, in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late Sterling Daniel and Hannah Mae (Auman) Moyer.

She was the wife of John F. Melochick Jr.

She played an integral role in the day-to-day operations as co-owner of Mammoth Materials & Hardway Coal Co. Inc.

In addition to her husband, Katherine is survived by a son, Jason Melochick; stepchildren, John Melochick III and Benjamin Melochick and wife, Marissa; grandchildren, Shane, Brendan, Amber and Jeffrey; two nieces, Eleanor Rosenberger and Marissa Setlock.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow in Saint Clair Odd Fellows Cemetery, Saint Clair.

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

Ellen C. (Purcell) Brier
, 74, of Hershey, passed away on Friday, November 26, at UPMC Harrisburg.

Born in Pottsville on May 27, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Catherine (Koury) Purcell.

Ellen was a dedicated RN for Hershey Medical Center as well as a member of the American Nurses Association. Ellen was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Hershey.

She was an avid Penn State Football Fan, and part of the Nittany Lion Club. Ellen enjoyed going to the game and tailgating with friends. She also loved animals, learning about history, especially the Civil War, and enjoyed going to the Theater.

Left to cherish Ellen’s memory is her husband, Dr. Peter Brier; son, Joseph P. Brier and wife, Katye; grandchildren, Tate and Charles Brier; brother, Joseph Michael Purcell Jr. and wife, Pamela; niece, Katie; nephew Sean.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00AM, Saturday, December 4th at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville with Father Phillip F. Rodgers officiating. Entombment will follow in Our Lady of Cavalry Mausoleum, Hillside, Pottsville. Friends may call from 10:00AM till the time of the Mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ASPCA. (ASPCA.org)

Arrangements have been entrusted to Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 West Market Street, Pottsville.

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

Kenneth R. Diehl
, age 59, of St. Clair, PA passed away Sunday, November 28th, 2021 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Schuylkill, East in Pottsville.

Born in Pottsville, PA on March 25, 1962, he was the son of the late Kenneth N. Diehl and Barbara (Cardisco) Diehl, who survives him in St. Clair.

Ken was a graduate of Saint Clair High School, Class of 1980. He was the owner and operator of Diehl's Painting and Paper Hanging in St. Clair and Co-owner of Diehl's on Wheels in St. Clair.

Ken was a member of Saint Clair Wade Methodist Church, he was Eminent Commander of the Knight's Templar, and an active member of the Pulaski Masonic Lodge 216 in Pottsville. Ken loved riding his motorcycle and spending time with his grandchildren.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Tina L. (Martin) Diehl on October 19, 2019.

In addition to his Mother, Ken is survived by a son Norm Diehl and his wife Sabrina, St. Clair; daughter Noell Diehl, St. Clair; five grandchildren: Blake, Angel, Zayden, Austin, and Trinity; sister Barb Zalensky and her husband James, Arkansas; brother John Diehl and his wife Robin, Palo Alto; and nieces and nephews.

A Religious Service will be held on Friday December 3rd at 11AM at the Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon, with Pastor Jack Murray officiating.

Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Friday morning from 9-11AM at the Funeral Home.

Interment will be held in the Schuylkill Memorial Park Cemetery in Schuylkill Haven.

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


Loretta M. (Yackabonis) Dallazia
, 86, of Shenandoah, PA, and most recently, Providence Place of Pottsville, PA, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2021. Loretta was born in Shenandoah to the late John and Laura (Jankaitis) Yackabonis.

Loretta was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, Charles P. Dallazia. She is survived by her sister, Mildred Breck, of Whitehall, PA; her devoted nieces and nephews: Maria Breck Gunn (Jim), David Breck (Sarah), Bob Cook, Kelly Cook Marcavage (Ed), Steve Cook (Anne), Jennie Breitigan (widow of Ed “Kip” Cook, Jr.); Kim Kegolis (Chris), Maureen Cady (Bruce), Karla Barrett (Rob) and Lisa Mullen (Bernie); and many grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her sisters-in-law, Patricia (Dallazia) Kegolis and Virginia (Dallazia) Cook.

After graduating J.W. Cooper High School, Loretta began her lifelong career of 57 years with the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah, where she served the community through her retirement in 2014 as the longtime Office Manager.

Family and friends were Loretta’s first love and priority, and she was extremely proud of all her nieces and nephews. Although she didn’t have children, she probably spent more time at dance recitals, graduations, school plays, watching kids receive sacraments than most parents. She tried never to miss these special occasions. Loretta also kept Hallmark in business because she never missed a holiday and each of her nieces and nephews was sent a card to mark the occasion!

From her early years, Loretta loved to travel and counted her vacations with family amongst her most precious memories. She spent every summer in Wildwood with her sister and nieces and nephew. She loved visiting her family and seeing Broadway shows and concerts. Loretta had impeccable taste, whether it was getting her hair and nails done or enjoying Hershey’s Miniatures, she always looked perfectly put together.

A devoted Catholic her entire life, she was a lifelong parishioner in Shenandoah’s churches from St. George Church to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and most recent, Divine Mercy Parish.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 10:00 am in Divine Mercy Church, 232 West Cherry Street, Shenandoah. Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A visitation will be held on Friday morning from 9:00 am until 10:00 am in Divine Mercy Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org/donation or (800) 622-9010.

Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah is in charge of the arrangements.

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

Joseph Nebistinsky
, 84, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Saturday evening surrounded by his family.


Born in Pottsville, he was the son of the late Walter and Anna Nebistinsky.

He was educated in the Cass Twp schools and was a graduate of Cass twp High School. He was a retired Grocery Store Clerk from the former Acme Markets. He later worked in the furniture business for Reliable Home Supply. He was a member of St. Ambrose Church, Schuylkill Haven.

Joseph was a devout Catholic who loved spending time with his family more than anything. He loved his cat, Baby. He enjoyed watching the Phillies, Eagles, hunting and listening to polkas..

Joseph is survived by his wife, the former Rose Marie Merlino; 2 sons, Joseph and his wife Donna, Dilllsburg, Pa. and Fred and his wife Deb, Schuylkill Haven; 3 grandchildren, Paige Updegrove, Joseph Nebistinsky and Michael Nebistinsky; 2 great grandchildren, Sebastian and Naomi Nebistinsky; a step-sister Diane.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 10:30 AM in St. Ambrose Parish, 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven. Relative and friends may call at the Church on Thursday from 9:15 AM until the time of the service. Interment will be in St Ambrose Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven. .

Arrangements are by the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, Minersville.

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

Marilyn E. Koch, 83, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Thanksgiving morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital– Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street.

Born Dec. 26, 1937, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Edith Heim Naus.

Marilyn was a 1956 graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School and also a graduate of the Reading School of Nursing. She worked as an X-ray technician for several years, then worked for the former Pennsylvania National Bank through many bank mergers until she retired.

Marilyn was of the Methodist faith and a choir member of the First United Methodist Church in Schuylkill Haven, as she loved to sing. Marilyn enjoyed camping at World's End State Park in Sullivan County, Pa., along with visiting the beaches of Ocean City, N.J., with her good friend, Claire, and Nags Head, N.C., with her family. Marilyn loved to bowl and was in several Schuylkill County bowling leagues in her life. She also loved watching football and was an avid fan of Penn State and the Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes. Marilyn loved animals and had adopted several cats and dogs throughout her life.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elvin "George" Koch. She is also preceded in death by her sisters, Elma Ney and Evelyn Goas; along with brothers, Delmar Naus and Richard Naus.

Marilyn is survived by her daughters, Kathy Koch, of Frackville, Donna Donatti, along with her only grandson, Ethan Donatti, both of Schuylkill Haven; and brother, Rollin "Mike" Naus, of Schuylkill Haven.

A memorial service will be held at the graveside at 11 a.m. Thursday at Union Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the funeral home to defer expenses. Grabowski Funeral Home, 75 Memorial Drive, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.

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

Rosalie Kohlhepp, 62, of Shenandoah, passed away on Wednesday, November 24th, 2021, at her home.

She was born on June 28th, 1959, in New Brunswick, New Jersey to the late Eva Slover.

Rosalie worked several years for Shop-Rite in the produce department.

Besides her mother, she was preceded by her husband, Mark Kohlhepp

Rosalie leaves behind 2 sons – Mark Kohlhepp with Danielle – New Jersey and Michael Kohlhepp – New Jersey, 1 daughter, Deborah Kohlhepp – Shenandoah, 6 brothers – Kenny, Carl, Mark, Donald, Ed, and Warren, 2 sisters, Cheryl and Brenda, 8 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves her companion of 30 years, Ronald Goddard.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 1st from 9 to 11am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah.

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