Thursday, December 16, 2021

Schuylkill County Obituaries for December 16th, 2021

                                                                                         

Skook News Obituaries:  December 16th, 2021

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.

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Jack Edward Dillon, 62, of Auburn, PA, passed away on Sunday, December 12th, at his residence.

Born in Silver Spring, MD on November 2, 1959, Jack was the son of the late Virginia (Greene) and Thomas C. Dillon of Montgomery Village, MD.

A 1978 graduate of Spring Valley High School in Columbia, SC, Jack served his country for four years in the U.S. Navy, including a deployment aboard the USS America CV-66. Jack served on the flight deck as the America steamed through the Suez Canal, the first "super carrier" to transit the canal since 1967. The America then operated in the Indian Ocean where ports of call included Singapore and Fremantle, Australia.

Upon discharge, Jack realized his childhood dream of becoming a truck driver. Jack felt strongly that his vocation as a truck driver was an extension of his service to the country in that our service men and women, as well as his fellow truck drivers, regularly miss holiday meals with their families in their duties to protect and provide for their fellow American citizens.

He continued to work in the trucking and logistics industry for 35+ years, most recently with Meade Trucking Co., Inc., where he traveled the highways and byways of the beautiful country he loved so much. Jack also loved his trucking family greatly, and was always available to help a fellow driver in need.

He is survived by his beloved companion of sixteen years, Lori Swift, (daughter Desiree, and granddaughter Addelyn); sisters Carol Dillon Ehart (Tom) and Susan Dillon Feudale (Tony); nieces and nephews Calli, Gabriella, Judah, Lily, Micah and Lucy.

Services and interment will be held on Tuesday, December 21, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 18230 Barnesville Rd., Barnesville, MD, 20838.

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Ante “Tony” Markota, 79, Ashland, passed away on Wednesday, December 15th at his home.

Born in Soljani, Yugoslavia, he was a son of the late Stijphan and Manda Sarlija Markota. Tony was a self-employed building contractor, who specialized in copper roofing.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Stephan Markota and his two brothers: Mijo and Josip Baricevic.

Tony is survived by his loving friend, Anneliese Markota, Stewartsville, NJ; his three daughters: Stephanie and her husband Bruce Ronsley, Basking Ridge, NJ; Michelle Markota, Stewartsville, NJ; Vanessa Markota and Joe Canonica, Lebanon, NJ; his two sisters: Danica Marijancevic, Arizona and Nada Baricevic, Croatia; his two loving grandchildren, Madison Markota and Grace Canonica; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be announced by the family.

Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Girardville is in charge of the arrangements.

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Dennis J. Sabol
, age 70, of Barnesville, passed away Wednesday at his home with his family by his side. Born in Coaldale he was the son of the late Stephen and Mary (Sotak) Sabol. Dennis was a 1969 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and attended the Breeden School of Welding in Allentown. Dennis was a United States Army veteran having served in Germany during the Vietnam era and also served with the Army reserves. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. On returning home from the service he worked for Clark Equipment Company and then went on to work as a welder and also in other capacities for Reading Anthracite Company for 30 years. He also had been employed by Penn Dot and last worked for and retired from Fort Indiantown Gap. He was a member of the East End Fire Company in Tamaqua, American Legion Post 74 and BPOE 695 both in Mahanoy City. He enjoyed playing baseball and basketball during his high school years and darts and golf in recent years. You would also find him enjoying Saturday nights out dancing with his wife and friends or at home listening to music.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years the former Bernadine "Bernie" (Belfiore) Sabol, a daughter Sonya Johnson and her companion Randall D. Ward and his sons Ben and Garrett Ward, and two grandchildren Paige and Tiberius Johnson. 

More than anything Dennis loved his family and adored his grandchildren. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral on Tuesday morning at 11:30 AM from David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City. The Rev. Fred T. Crawford will officiate. Interment services with military honors will follow at 2 PM at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday morning beginning at 10 AM. 

Contributions in his name to the charity of the donors choice would be appreciated by the family. Please visit www.jarrettfuneralhome.com for more information.

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Theresa Oakill, 88, of Forestville, Cass Township, died Wednesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest.

Born on March 20, 1933 in Buck Run, she was a daughter of the late Stiney and Tekla Pudach Kruel. She was a 1951 graduate of Cass Township High School; and was employed by local garment manufacturers, including Jackson Blouse, Primrose, and Honeybee, Branchdale.

She was a member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Minersville; and was also a member of ILGWU.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Luke Oakill, in 2014; a great-granddaughter, Alyssa Heller, in 2010; a brother, John Kruel; five sisters, Sophie Doyle, Helen Kruel, Julia Kruel, Anna Malusky and Mary Schimkaitis; a niece, Sharon Melefsky and a nephew, Gregory Kruel.

Theresa is survived by three daughters, Lori McCarthy (David), Forestville, Lynn Schies (Craig), Forestville, and Cheryl Bingaman (Joseph), Branchdale; five grandchildren, Brandon Oakill (Rebecca), Devin Bingaman and Brad Bingaman, Jessica Christenson (Steven), Brittany Weaver (Eugene); five great-grandchildren, Austin and Parker Heller, and Natalie, Tiffany and Lincoln Weaver; three sisters, Nancy Melefsky, Frackville, Irene Davidovich, Rhode Island, and Kathryn Kolody, Texas; a brother, Stiney Kruel (spouse, Rita), Pottsville; numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her canine friends, Zoey, Harley and Bandit.

The family will accept visitors at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury Street, Minersville, on Sunday from 6:00 P.M. and on Monday from 6:00 A.M. Visitation will end promptly at 9:15 A.M. when procession will form. Requiem Divine Liturgy will be at 10:00 A.M. in St. Nicholas Church, 315 Front Street, Minersville. Interment will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Branch Township. The family prefers donations to St. Nicholas Church Memorial Fund or to Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, 18 Wertz Drive, Pine Grove, PA 17963.

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Charles L "Chuck"Klingaman
, 74 of Hometown, ended his journey on earth on Tuesday, December 14,2021 at St Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem after a courageous battle with Covid which he contracted while in the hospital.

Born in Palmerton the son of the late Catherine Elizabeth (Liz)(Hirsch) and William K. Klingaman, Sr. on July 26, 1947.Charles was also predeceased by; brother, William K. Klingaman, Jr in 2009 and a baby sister.

Chuck is survived by; his beloved wife, Catherine(Cicula) Klingaman, formerly from Hazleton who has been by his side for 43 years of marriage; daughter, Valerie Klingaman and her fiancée Sean Skeath of Quakake; brother, Wayne Klingaman and his wife Terri of Owl Creek; Sister-In-Law, Olivia (Libby)Klingaman of Tamaqua; Nephews, Eric Klingaman a godson, Christopher Klingaman and his wife Kristen; nieces: Lisa Nallon andher husband Brian, Jill Reilly and her husband Daniel; godson, David Naiko; 12 Great nieces/nephews; Cousins Janeen Konnyu and husband Rob of DE, and Janet Hirsch of Newton Falls, OH.Chuck is a life-long resident of Tamaqua, where he graduated from Tamaqua High School,Class of 1965. He is a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua, and life member of American Hose Company, Tamaqua.

Chuck and his brothers owned and operated the Klingaman Office Supply business located in Tamaqua, which they took over ownership and daily operation of when their father became a member of the Pa House of Representatives in 1972. The brothers expanded Klingaman’s Office Supply to a Pottsville location and remained in business until late 2016. After retiring in 2016, he and his wife Cathy opened Penn Train and Hobby, LLC located in Pottsville as a semi-retirement venture.

Chuck was very active in the Masonic Fraternity, both locally and statewide. He was amember of Tamaqua Lodge #238 where he served as Past Master in 1978 and again in 1984. He served as a District Deputy Grand Master from 1998 – 2004 for the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He was a member of Tamaqua Royal Arch Chapter #177 where he was a Past High Priest, then serving as a District Deputy Grand High Priest from 1990 – 1996. He served the state of PA as Most Excellent Grand High Priest from 2013 – 2014 where he and his wife Cathy, enjoyed many trips throughout the state and visiting neighboring states representing PA. He was a Past Commander of Ivanhoe Commandery#31, a Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Anthracite Council # 62, Hazleton, a Past Master of Keystone Frei Maurer Mark Lodge No 400, Reading.

He was a member of Caldwell Consistory in Bloomsburg, where he served as Commander-In-Chief 2018-2019. He was coronated a 33rd degree Master Mason in August of 2012 in Cleveland, OH. Other Masonic affiliations include member Schuylkill Council No 265 Allied Masonic Degrees; Erin Council #6Knight-Masons; PA York Rite College #11, Shamokin; Red Cross of Constantine –St James Conclave, Shamokin; Penn Priory No. 6 , Knights of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH), Northeast Council #74 Knight Masons, Hazleton.

Chuck enjoyed summers at the family cabin on Lake Wallenpaupack with his faithful yellow lab Holly.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday December 21, 2021 at 11 o'clock from the funeral home, Rev. Cindy White to officiate. Friends may call on Monday evening December 20, 2021 from 5 to 7:00 P.M.,and on Tuesday morning from 10:00 A.M. until time of services.

Masonic Services Monday evening December 20, 2021 at 7 o'clock P.M.

Interment Odd Fellows Cemetery Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.

Memorials in Chucks name to:
Grand Chapter of PA
In Memory of C.L.K.
(Please designate a Ronald McDonald House of your choice)
1 North Broad Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
or
Ruth Steinert Memorial S.P.C.A.
18 Wertz Drive
Pine Grove,Pennsylvania 17963

Online condolences or a fond memory of Chuck can be sent byvisitingwww.griffithsfuneralhomes.com

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John E. "Peach" Lucas
, 62, of Joliett, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown.

Born in Hegins, RD, February 20, 1959 a son of the late William and Verna Carl Lucas.

Peach was a coal miner before becoming ill.

He was a member of the Joliett Fire Company, Valley View Gun Club, Mountaineer Archery Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and hanging out with his friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 12 siblings; Harold, William, Sonny, Lewis and Henry Lucas, Pauline Carter, Anna Mae Lucas, Verna Lucas, Betsy Wolfgang, Marion Deeter, Linda Morgan and Grace Madenford.

Surviving are two sons, John W. Lucas and his wife Erin, Fishing Creek and Cory D. Lucas and his fiance Angela Porter, Valley View, five grandchildren; Evelyn, Ella, Kylie, Lincoln and Myles. Eight siblings; Jerry Lucas, Lebanon, Shirley Deeter, Hegins, Jean Kroh, Carol Nelson, Janet Maidenford, Cindy Schnoke and Robert Lucas all of Joliett and Barbara Bassininsky, Llewellyn.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, December 27, 2021 at 11:00 am from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc., Tower City with Pastor Curtis Zemencik.

Memorial donations in Peach's name can be made to the Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 644 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City, PA 17980 to help with expenses.

To send condolences to the family visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com

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Andrew J. Dross, 85, of Fairless Hills, Pa, passed away on December 15th, 2021 at his home.

Born in Shenandoah on September 19th, 1936, he was the son of the late Andrew and Mary (Karahuta) Drost.

Andrew was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean Conflict. He worked for Fairless Hills Steel for many years. He was a member of his local YMCA and loved swimming along with lifting weights.

Preceding him were 4 brothers, Martin, Edmund, Joseph, and John Dross, and 2 sisters, Catherine Norris and Irene Zdziera.

Andrew leaves behind nieces and nephews, including his caregiver and nephew Michael Dross with Debra, Alfie Zdziera with Judy, and Robbie Zdziera with Cheryl.

A visitation will take place on Monday, December 20th from 8 to 10am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Scripture services will be held at 10am by Deacon Jack Quirk. Burial will immediately follow in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.

To offer condolences, please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com

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John Mark “Hondo” Hylan, 63, of Frackville, PA, passed away Wednesday, December 15th, at Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest, Allentown.

Hondo was born in Mahanoy City, PA on March 2, 1958, a son of the late Rose (Engle) and Jack Hylan.

He graduated from Marian Catholic High School Tamaqua Class of 1977.

He served in the U.S. Navy.

He coached Mahanoy City Little League and CYO Basketball.

Hondo worked as a community support specialist for CARES in Tamaqua.

He was the husband of Eileen (Veneski) Moyer-Hylan.

John is also survived by three daughters, Ann Marie, wife of Ricky Williard, of New Boston; Jennifer, wife of Seth Kendall, of Medway MA; Samantha, wife of Andrew Gudonis, of Locust Gap, and survived by 5 Grandchildren Max, Zalen, John, Molly, and Mason.

Friends and family may call Tuesday December 21st, from 10 to 11 am.

A Religious Service will be held at the Funeral Home at 11 AM on Tuesday, December 21st, with Deacon Dave Henninger officiating.

Interment at National Cemetery Fort Indiantown Gap Annville, PA.

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Joseph Louis Recla
, 87, of Maizeville, passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at his home.

Born in Maizeville on September 20, 1934 he was the son of the late Joseph M. and Ameila (Rizzardi) Recla.

He was a 1952 graduate of the former Gilberton High School and a 1955 graduate of the former Coyne Institute of Technology where he was Magna Cum Laude.

Joseph was married at the former St. Louis Church in Maizeville on September 15, 1957 to Mary Jane (Kazemka) Recla who survives.

He was employed before his retirement as an MSHA Mine Safety Instructor, Industrial Electricity Instructor at North Schuylkill Vocational School and Owner of Recla TV and Electronics for over thirty years.

He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Frackville, Knights of Columbus in Frackville where he was a former Grand Knight and Financial Secretary and a member of the Fourth Degree. He belonged to the Frackville Rotary Club and was a District secretary for Rotary. He was also a member of the Valley Gun and Country Club in Elysburg.

Surviving in addition to his wife are one daughter, Mary Ann Recla McCabe of Maizeville and her sons John and Matthew, one son Joseph “Rick” Recla and his wife Kathy of Mahanoy Plane and their sons Joey and Ian, four great grandchildren and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Joseph Recla.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Frackville. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Siluva Cemetery in Englewood, Frackville. A viewing will be held on Tuesday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 South Market Street, Mt. Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz, III Supervisor has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave a condolence to the family please visit www.stutzfuneralhome.com.

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