Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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John P. Harvilicz, 75, Frackville passed away on Friday, December 3rd at Geisinger Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.Born in Harrisburg, he was a son of the late Michael and Louise Shire Harvilicz. John worked as a mechanic before becoming a service manager at Boscov’s Auto and then worked at Poly Plastics, Delano until his retirement.
John was a 1966 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville. After high school, he served in the United States Army before joining the workforce.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Mary Matsago; a brother, Ronald Harvilicz; his grandson, John Samuel “JJ” Harvilicz.
John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sandra Harvilicz, Frackville; his two sons: John Samuel Harvilicz and his wife Dawn, Shrewsbury; Eric Harvilicz and his wife Marissa, Harrisburg; a brother, Michael Harvilicz; two sisters: Rosemarie Dahm and Pauline Devito; his grandchildren: Ami Lynn, Barrett, Anderson and Cassius; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 9th from the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville. Friends and family are invited to his visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday morning at the funeral home.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Ashland, she was a daughter of the late Ronald and Leona Piotrowski Chikotas.
Renee was a 1983 graduate of Cardinal Brennan High School, Fountain Springs. After high school, Renee served 6 years in the Army National Guard. Upon her honorable discharge from the Army, she reenlisted in the United States Air Force, where she served for an additional 33 years receiving the rank of Master Sergeant upon her retirement.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant brother, Ronald Chikotas Jr.
Renee is survived by her husband, Mark Metzinger, Hummelstown; her seven siblings: Danielle Ostrum, West Chester; Kimberly Chikotas, Pottsville; Leonard Chikotas, Millville; Brian Chikotas, Hellertown; Marcus Chikotas, Heckshersville; Christopher Chikotas, Mount Carmel; Nick Chikotas, Gordon; numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 13th at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Ashland with Rev. Brian Miller, pastor. Friends and family are invited to her viewing on Monday morning at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of mass. Interment with military honors will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at 1 p.m.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born on April 27, 1935, in Pine Grove, he was a son of the late Irvin and Ruth Witmer Becker.
Dick was a 1954 graduate of Pine Grove High School, where he played on four championship basketball teams, one of which reached the District 11 Championship in 1953.
He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove, where he served on the church council for six years. He managed the Pine Lanes Bowling Alley in Pine Grove from 1961 to 1974, where he taught many children how to bowl. In 1978 he established R. & J. Trophies, a company he owned for 21 years.
Richard was a member of the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge #409 F. & A. M, since 1984; the Rajah Temple, Reading; Council of Consistory in Reading; the Pine Grove Lions Club where he was Lion of the Year in 1994, and served as chairperson of the Lions Club's Holiday Classic Parade for six years. Dick organized and chaired the Pine Grove Bicentennial Parade in 1976, securing 18 bands, the largest number for any Pine Grove parade. He also was an ambulance driver for eight years with the Pine Grove Community Ambulance Association.
He had served for 10 years in the Army and Pennsylvania National Guard in the 121st Transport Co. with the rank of Supply Sgt. and was a member of the Pine Grove American Legion Post 374. He received the Merit award from the Pine Grove VFW for his service to veterans.
Dick was a member of the St. Clair Old Timers and was inducted in the Allen Rogowicz Chapter Hall of Fame, Pottsville, in 1995 for his accomplishments as a basketball player and as a bowler, with an average score of 202. He served as the chairman for both the Coach Ronald Rhen and Coach Carmine Pepe testimonials and emceed many gatherings of former basketball and baseball players at Sweet Arrow Lake.
Richard served on the Pine Grove Borough Council for 8 years, was a member of the Pinegrove Historical Society, the Tremont Senior Citizens and a lifetime member of the H. H. & L.. Fire Co. #1 in Pine Grove. At one time, he had organized bus trips for cancer patients and their families to attend the "Cure for Cancer" March in Washington.
In 2001 Dick organized the Pine Grove Area Christmas Light Committee in memory of his wife, Carol, and had been in charge of the tree lighting ceremony and Christmas decorations in Pine Grove. His dedication and hard work to keep the Christmas spirit in Pine Grove has been greatly appreciated.
Dick was preceded in death by his wife, of 43 years, Carol D. Tobin Becker on October 5, 1998.
Surviving are his daughter, Kathy, wife of Gary Toy of Mechanicsburg; a brother, Robert and wife, Jean Becker of Pine Grove; a sister, Loretta Rohrer of Lebanon; his companion, Ina Pijar of Pine Grove and his beloved dog, Bella.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 2:30 P.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove with Rev. Brian Beissel officiating. There will be a viewing on Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and on Friday, December 10, 2021 from 1:30 P.M. until 2:30 P.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
The family would prefer, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Peter's Lutheran Church Capital Improvements Fund, 312 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, Pa. 17963, or the Pine Grove Area Christmas Light Committee, c/o Richard Todd Tice, 320 1st St. Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 in his memory.
You may send condolences to the family at the Funeral Home website at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com.
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David L. Leitzel, 65 of Ashland, PA passed away Saturday, Dec. 5,2021 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA.
Born in Ashland Feb.29,1956 the son of the late Willard and Elizabeth (Heffner) Leitzel. He graduated from North Schuylkill High School and presently worked for the North Schuylkill School
District in housekeeping.
District in housekeeping.
In addition to his parents preceding him in death were two brothers and one sister: Terry, Ronald and Dorothy. Surviving are two brothers and three sisters: Kevin, Texas; William, Ashland; Cindy Rock, Ashland; Mary Ann, Shamokin and Brenda Lee, Shamokin, PA .
Funeral Services will be announced . Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home is in charge.
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Raymond F. Verbish, 87, of Locustdale, PA passed away Thursday, December 2, 2021 at Broad
Mountain Manor, Frackville.
Born in Locustdale, January 21, 1934, the son of the late Joseph and Carrie (Rushow ) Verbish.
Ray was a 1951 graduated of Butler Township High School. He was a US Air Force Veteran serving in the Korean War and attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a graduate of Penn State University with a Degree in Electrical Engineering. He was employed with PP&L for 8 years and then worked and retired from the U.S. War College, Carlisle Barracks. He was a member of PA Society of Professional Engineers. Ray was a devout Catholic and member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed trips to Canada.
Ray was a 1951 graduated of Butler Township High School. He was a US Air Force Veteran serving in the Korean War and attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a graduate of Penn State University with a Degree in Electrical Engineering. He was employed with PP&L for 8 years and then worked and retired from the U.S. War College, Carlisle Barracks. He was a member of PA Society of Professional Engineers. Ray was a devout Catholic and member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed trips to Canada.
Ray was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph and a sister, Rose.
He is survived by a brother, Bill, and a sister, Anne. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Judes Hospital or the Fatima Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 11, 2021 at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Ashland with Rev. Brian Miller officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Fountain Springs. Viewing will be 10:00-11:00 AM at the church.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of services. Charles Heizenroth III, Supervisor.
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