Saturday, July 2, 2022

Schuylkill County Obituaries for July 2nd, 2022

                                                                           

Skook News Obituaries: July 2nd, 2022

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area. 

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Norman A. McClure, 84, of Orwigsburg, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 30th, surrounded by family, at his residence. 

Norman was born in Phoenix Park, PA on February 14, 1938, a son of the late Mary (Timtishin) and Robert McClure.He was the husband of Sharon M. (Zettlemoyer) McClure. They were married on August 29th, 1981. He was raised in the Protestant Faith and graduated from Minersville High School, Class of 1956.He worked as a Maintenance Mechanic at Brush Wellman, Shoemakersville. Norman was a past member of the Mountaineer Fire Co., Minersville. He was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed shooting trap for both, Orwigsburg and East End Gun Clubs. He was also a member of Stein Hollow Beagle Club. 

In addition to Sharon, his wife of 41 years, Norman is survived by his son, Alan McClure and daughter, Tammy Kauffman, companion of Kevin Schwalm.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Alison McClure, Ashley Gipe and Andrew Gipe, husband of Jessica Tice. He has one great grandson Hudson Gipe. Also surviving are nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his siblings Robert McClure and Jean Omlor. 

A Religious Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 8th at Hamilton - Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg, with Pastor Christopher Byelick officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM

Interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Inc. Schuylkill Haven.

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Robert C. (Bob) Baessler
, 75, of Orwigsburg, passed away Thursday, June 30th, at Geisinger St. Luke's Orwigsburg.

Rob was born in Philadelphia on August 23, 1946, a son of the late Anna May (Eichler) Hebden and Leroy Baessler. He is also preceded in death by his Step Father, Alexander Armstrong Hebden. Rob was very fond of his step father and they shared a close relationship before his passing.

Rob was the husband of Karen E. (Strouse) Baessler. They married on March 30, 1974.

Rob was a member of Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven. He graduated from Murrell-Dobins Vocational Technical High School in 1964, as valedictorian, and then went into the U.S. Air Force as a Sgt in the Vietnam War. He then attended Penn State University, majoring in secondary education. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and graduated in 1971.

Rob worked as a math teacher in the Reading school district. While teaching he earned his master’s degree from Kutztown University.

He worked as a Math Teacher for over 35 years. Robert retired in 2007.

He was Worshipful Master in 2004 of Schuylkill Lodge #138, F & A M.

He was a member of the Valley of Reading Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry and served as past Sovereign Prince of Princes of Jerusalem. He served as Grand Tall Cedar of Neversink Forest #32, Tall Cedars of Lebanon. Rob was past commander of Joseph W, Morrison V.F.W. Post # 2198, Orwigsburg.

Rob was very active in scouting as a youth and an adult. He was Cub Master of Cub Pack #241, Allengenyville and also served as Scoutmaster of that troop as well as District Commission of Daniel Boone Council, Hawk Mountain Council.

In addition to Karen, his wife of 48 years, Rob is also survived by his daughter, Holly, wife of Andrew Zvorsky, of West Brunswick Township;  His son, Todd Baessler, husband of Nicole, of Flying Hills.
Robert is also survived by two brothers, Roy Baessler, husband of Gail, of MA; Bruce Baessler, husband of Eileen, of PA.

He is also survived by his Grandchildren Tyler & Amanda Zvorsky And Makalya, Madyson, Makenna & Mia Baessler. As well as numerous nieces & nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday July 6th noon, at Hamilton - Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg, with Rev. Larry Laine officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM until 11:45 at which time there will be a Masonic Necrology service.

Interment with Military Honors will be at Zion's Red Church Cemetery Orwigsburg.

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Kelly A. Starr
, 59, of Black Heath, Cass Township, passed away on Thursday at Lehigh Valley Hospice, Allentown.

Born on May 26, 1963 in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Thomas D. Krupo and the late Catherine G. Callaghan Krupo. She was a 1981 graduate of Minersville High School. She was a Navy veteran, having served as a Hospital Corpsman. She later trained in Reading to attain certification as a Respiratory Therapist, having last worked at the former Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

She was a member of the former St. Vincent de Paul Church and a current member of Holy Family Parish. A die-hard Yankees fan, she also enjoyed fishing and camping. She enjoyed NASCAR and motorcycle touring with her late husband, Jim Starr, who died in 2014.

Kelly is survived by her brother, Thomas P. Krupo (spouse, Colleen), Black Heath; an aunt, Loretta Callaghan, Washington Township; a sister-in-law, Sue Frantz (spouse, Lloyd), Dowdentown; numerous cousins.

The family prefers donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Hillside SPCA. Dutcavich Funeral Home has charge.

Arrangements are incomplete.

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Thomas W. Socko, 77, of St. Clair, passed away peacefully at Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest Hospital, Allentown.

Born in Minersville, he was a son of the late Joseph and Isabel Konopka Socko.

Tom was a 1962 graduate of Nativity BVM High School. He was retired from Tredgar, MarLin. He was a member of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Minersville and was a member of St. Matthew’s Church of Holy Family Parish, Minersville. He was a member of the churches St. Cecilia Choir. He was a life time member of the former Independent Hose Co, Minersville and it’s successor, the Minersville Fire Rescue. He also was a member of the Minersville Independent Hunting and Fishing Club.

Surviving along with his loving wife , Marie Lescavage Socko are his son Gary and his wife Jill of Pottsville; a granddaughter Isabel; a brother Francis and his wife Judy, Alexandria, Va.; a niece Angela Hinkle and her husband Joseph of Texas; other nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10:30 Am in St. Matthew’s Church of Holy Family Parish, 139 Spruce St., Minersville. Rev. Leo J. Maletz will officiate. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, 328 Sunbury St. Minersville on Wednesday morning from 8 AM to 10 AM. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus #2 Cemetery, Minersville.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer remembrances of Tom be in the form of contributions to the Minersville Independent Hunting and Fishing Club or the Minersville Fire Rescue, 300 North St., Minersville. Contributions will also be accepted at the Funeral Home.

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These obituaries are being  brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.