Monday, April 1, 2024

Schuylkill County Obituaries for April 1st, 2024

                                                                                                               

Skook News Obituaries: April 1st, 2024

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area. 

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Barbara Ann (Kunkel) Worthy
, age 75 of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully to the sounds of Elvis playing quietly on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 while in the care of her brother Robert Kunkel and her family.

Born Thursday, August 26, 1948 in Coaldale, PA the daughter of the late Harold Kunkel, Sr., andEleanor (Geissinger) Kunkel. She was the first of seven children. Barb was also preceded in death by sister, Diana Wagner; and brother, Richard "Rick" Kunkel.

Surviving are beloved son, John P. Worthy and his wife, Lisa of Schuylkill Haven; beloved grandchildren, Rylee Worthy, Josh Rhody and his wife Kelly, Ryan Rhody and his wife Rachel; great grandchildren, Olivia, Emily, Keegan, and Kelsey; sister, Donna Oswald and her husband Dan; brothers, Harold "Bud" Kunkel, and his wife, Kathy, David Kunkel and his wife, Karen, Robert Kunkel and his wife, Kim. Many cousins, nieces and nephews also survive Barb.

A Tamaqua High School graduate of the class of 1966. She will miss all her friends with whom she recently reconnected and shared breakfast. Barb worked at Atlas Powder Company and Ametek Westchester Plastics for most of her working career and then Trans Western in Hometown before retiring in 2013. Barb was a past member of the Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Tamaqua Ambulance, and Tamaqua Legion Auxiliary. Barb enjoyed bowling, shooting pool and darts in the various Tamaqua leagues. Most recently she loved spending time and loving on her
grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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

A Celebration of Barb's Life will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at Faith Church, 1168 CentreTurnpike, Orwigsburg, PA 17961 from 4:30 to 6 for family and friends with a service to follow.

Memorials in Barb's name can be made in care of the Woman @ Faith Ministry of Faith Church at the above address.

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Richard (Richie) Michael Smellowsky
, 83 years of age of Broadway Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania passed away suddenly on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, at home.

Born Tuesday, May 28, 1940 in Mahanoy City the son of the late Joseph Bowers, and Eva (Smellowsky) Leidinger. Richard was also predeceased by; daughter, Christine "Tina" Hartz.

Surviving are; his beloved wife of 33 years, Brenda D. (Souders) Smellowsky; daughters, Michele Klobosits wife of Steve, Cheryl "Sherry" Carter wife of the late John, Tammy Sword wife of Joe; Melissa Shaffer wife of Brian; Cathy Van Zile wife of Paul; sisters, Peggy Hercek, Cindy Klein; brothers, James Bowers, Frank Bowers and his wife Sharon; 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren

A talented mechanic, Richie worked for various car dealerships in the Tamaqua Area before opening Richie’s Auto Repair on Pitt Street, which he ran for many years.

In the 70’s he enjoyed racing late model stock cars at Anthracite and Big Diamond raceway with his girls cheering him on.

Richie's second home for more than 40 years was Tuckahoe Campground in Dagsboro, DE enjoying fishing, boating, and harvesting clams in the Indian River Inlet.

He loved cooking and eating, never missing a meal.

Richie loved hosting St. Patrick’s Day parties with Brenda for the annual parade at their home.

Richie enjoyed time with his beloved pets; Johnny Boy, Evie and the late Precious.

Funeral Arrangements 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 Friday April 5, 2024 at 11 o'clock A.M. from the funeral home Friends may call from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services.

Interment will be in Odd Fellows, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.

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Ronald J. "Monk" Calnon
, 64, of Halifax, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday afternoon, March 30, 2024 shortly after arrival at UPMC- Harrisburg.

Born in Pottsville, October 29, 1959, a son of the late John and Ruth Good Calnon. He was a 1977 graduate of Williams Valley High School.

Monk spent over 40 years working at Dayton Parts, Harrisburg.

He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Millersburg.

Monk was an avid outdoorsmen, who enjoyed nothing more than spending time fishing on the river, hunting or just taking in all nature had to offer. He was a member and past president of Havice Valley Hunting Camp. Camping and boating were big part of Monk and his families life, where a lifetime of memories were made. He had also volunteered coaching softball in Halifax while his daughter played. Monk was a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kathy Frantz Calnon; a son, Eric Calnon and his wife Jessi, Gratz and a daughter, Autumn Calnon-White and her husband Jerrell, Harrisburg; a sister, Brenda Koons, Tower City; six grandchildren, Emma, Hunter, Jase, Logan, Amaya and Maxson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11:00 am from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc., Tower City. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10-11 at the chapel.

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Francis R. "Butch" Purcell
, 79 of Pottsville died peacefully at Providence Place Retirement Community, Pottsville

He was born May 31, 1944, in Cass Township a son of the late Thomas and Frances Angelo.

He was a graduate of Cass Township High School and later furthered his education at Lincoln Technical College in Philadelphia.

Prior to retiring he was employed by Gilford Mills Penn Dye and was a cook in his younger years.

Butch was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville

He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Hollick Purcell on February 22, 2024, brothers, Thomas, Vincent, William, and James Purcells; nieces and nephews.

Butch survived by three sons, Jason Purcell, Jordan Purcell, & Joshua Purcell; four granddaughters: Taylor, Rieleigh, Kylee, and Madeline. siblings: Rose Moyer of Minersville; Mary Polinsky and her husband Ted of Forestville; Rhoda Weir of Forestville; John Purcell and his wife Joann of Cressona; Theresa Walsh of Mar Lin; nieces and nephews.

Butch had a passion for Stock Car Racing which brought him joy throughout his lifetime.

Mass of Christan Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 Friday at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville. family and friends are invited to a viewing from 10AM until the time of Mass. The interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park Schuylkill Haven The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Butch be made to St. Patrick Memorial Fund, 319 Mahantongo St. Pottsville, PA 17901. Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.

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