Skook News Obituaries: November 27th, 2022
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Lois was the matriarch of our family and was one of a kind. Her sense of humor right to the end made us laugh and smile. Lois was a homemaker, seamstress and dedicated member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Pottsville, PA, where she was a Sunday school teacher, church organist and choir director for many years.
Lois loved her family, walking with her sister Marian, sewing, quilting and loved to play scrabble. If Lois didn’t win, she was not happy. Lois will be greatly missed by all.
The family extends their gratitude to the amazing staff at Heather Glen Senior Living and Ascend Hospice for their love, care and support. Lois was truly loved by the staff that took wonderful care of her. We will be forever grateful.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, (Walter and Doris Hurst), husband (Raymond Lowthert), sister (Marian Miller), sister (Jean Dilcher), and son-in-law (James Hampford).
Surviving is her brother, Edward Hurst and his wife, Gayle, (New Cumberland, PA); brother, Kenneth Hurst, (Tow, TX); daughter, Deborah Deibert and her husband, David (Auburn, PA); daughter, Diane Hampford, (Pottsville, PA); daughter, Donna Knight and her husband, Charles, (Orefield, PA); grandchildren: Brett Jones, Alison Bierman, Sean Hampford, Dustin Deibert & Dara Moucheron; great grandchildren: Emma, Aidan, Libby, Colton, Brady, Everly, Hailey, Hank, and Harper; nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, December 1st at 11:00 a.m. at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville with Pastor Greg Hafer officiating.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday evening 6:00-8:00 p.m. and on Thursday morning from 10:00 a.m. until time of service in the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Pottsville.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity United Church of Christ, 316 W. Market St, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
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Thomas J. Shekalus, Sr., 73, of Buck Run, passed away on Thursday, November 24 at home with his family at his side.
Born in Scranton on September 11, 1949, he was a son of Frank and Veronica (nee Zugie) Shekalus. He worked in property management as a maintenance technician specialist and was certified in HVAC at multi-family properties in Colonial Park, Harrisburg.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded by a brother, Francis Shekalus, Jr., in 1948.
Tom is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kathleen M. (nee Easter) Shekalus; his son, Christopher J. Shekalus, Buck Run; his daughter, Cindy Ann Beisel and son-in-law, Jamie Beisel, Indianapolis, Indiana; three grandchildren from Cindy, Tyler Donmoyer and his wife, Annie, Camron and Jake Beisel, all of Indianapolis; his first great-granddaughter, Charlotte Ann “Charlee” Donmoyer. There are also three additional grandsons, Jordan and Justin Weldon, and Tristin Thomas Shekalus, all of Harrisburg; a sister-in-law, Irene Easter, West Hills, California, who he loved very much.
Services will be scheduled at a later date. Dutcavich Funeral Home has charge.
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He was born on Friday, June 21, 1935, in Hegins, a son of the late Guy A Geist and the late Beulah M (Weist) Geist.
He was a 1953 graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School.
He served in the US Army.
Paul was a part owner of the former Hegins Lumber Yard, owned a trucking company, and owner of M and G Sales, Hegins.
He was a member of Friedens United Church of Christ, Hegins.
He was also a lifetime member of VFW Post 8237 Valley View and the Hegins Fire Company.
Paul loved to tinker with things, read books about World War II, and spend time with his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his dog Molly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Wanda Marie Hatter, and a brother, Donald Geist.
He is survived by his wife Diann J (Umholtz) Geist, to whom he was married for 58 years.
He is also survived by three sons, Daniel G Geist of Hegins, James L Geist of Hegins, and Christopher A Geist of Ashland; a daughter, Suzanne Y Schlenker and her husband Chad of Shoemakersville; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and three nieces and two nephews.
Graveside services and military honors will be held at Friedens Cemetery, Hegins, on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 3:00 pm, with Rev. Michael C Klahr officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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She was born on Wednesday, June 7, 1950, in Gordon, a daughter of the late Arlington O Shoemaker and the late Sylvia (Kramer) Shoemaker.
She was a graduate of Tri-Valley High School.
Karen retired as a CNA from the former Ashland Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by a sister, Fay Ann Ossman.
She is survived by her husband Stephen V. Monaghan.
She is also survived by a son, William Eisele and his wife Missy of Valley View; a daughter, Amanda Simone of Bonita Springs; three grandchildren; Courtney Eisele, Jorden Eisele, and Jaxon Simone; a great granddaughter, Zara Klinger; a brother, George Shoemaker of Hegins; and nieces and nephews.
As per Karen's wishes, there will be no services.
Burial will be in St. John's "Kimmel's" Cemetery, Barry Township.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Shenandoah on October 18, 1925, she was the daughter of the late: Charles and Mildred Palina.
Anna worked in the local garment industry until she retired, she was a member of the ILGWU, member of the former Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Shenandoah, and a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens. Anna liked going to the casino’s and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband Frank in 1980, a son Frank in 2012, a sister Josephine Griggs, and brothers John and Joseph Palina. Anna was the last of her immediate family.
Surviving is her daughter – Betty Ann Halushack with her husband David – Zion Grove, grandchildren Michelle Cuttitta with husband James, David Halushack Jr. with his wife Katie, Shane and Logan Malia and Carly Olivo with her husband Ray. Great grandchildren Kevin and Colin Halushack and a daughter-in-law Kim Malia.
Scripture services will be held on Thursday December 1, 2022, at 10:30AM from the Oravitz Home for Funerals, Inc. 40 North Jardin St. Shenandoah, Pa 17976 with Msgr. Ronald Bocian officiating. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery – Shenandoah Heights, Pa
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 8 to 10:30 Am on Thursday morning at the funeral home.
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Born in Danville, Pa, on January 17, 1942, he was the son of the late Joseph and Sylvia (Berson) Finkelman, who were the owners of the former Berson’s Jewelry Store in Shenandoah.
Martin was a pediatrician in Brooklyn Heights, New York. He was a graduate of Franklin- Marshall University and the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded by a sister Joyce.
Surviving is his sister – Judy Wienstein with her husband Donald, a niece – Joanna Wienstein and nephew – Andrew Wienstein.
Services will be held on Tuesday November 29, 2022, at 1PM from the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc., 40 North Jardin St. Shenandoah, with Rabbi Larry Kaplan officiating. Burial will follow in the Kehillat Israel Cemetery in Shenandoah Heights, Pa.
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Diane M. Yuhas, 66, of Fox Hollow Road, Chestnut Hill, passed away Friday, November 25th, at Green Valley Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Gordon Nagle Trail.
Diane was born in Pottsville, Pa. on July 2, 1956, a daughter of the late Louise (DeAngeles) Lucas and Anthony E. Lucas. She was the widow of Mike Yuhas who died, 11/28/2011.
Diane is survived by a sister, Christine, wife of Dale Ridge, Niece Allison, wife of Tim Valentine. Nephew, Jeff Ridge. Great nephews Logan & Cole Valentine, Brother-in-law Fritz Yuhas, Niece Crystal, wife of Josh Kemmerer, niece Tiffany, wife of Jason Remaley, Great nephew Dylan Kemmerer, Great niece Hayley Kemmerer. Also survived by aunts and many cousins.
Diane was a 1974 graduate of Nativity BVM High School and attended Bloomsburg University. She worked for many years as a travel agent, retiring from Boscov’s Travel. Over the years, Diane cruised to Alaska, Bermuda many times, and all over the Caribbean. She visited Italy and the Greek Island, Mykonos, which was her favorite. Diane especially loved her “Older Girls Gone Wild” trips to Lido Beach. While Diane loved to travel, her greatest love was spending time with her family, friends, and her cat, Koty. She was an avid Phillies fan and loved attending games with family. One of her greatest accomplishments was taking care of her great-nephew, Cole, from the time he was a baby. They loved to read books, color, and paint together.
All Services shall be private.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Anthony Urban Law Offices. P.C.
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