Sunday, May 5, 2024

Schuylkill County Obituaries for May 5th, 2024

                                                                                                                                               

Skook News Obituaries: May 5th, 2024

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area. 

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Michael J. Bendetti
, 60, of Orwigsburg, passed away Tuesday, April 30th, at his residence.

Michael was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 8, 1963, a son of Robert Bendetti, of Orwigsburg and the late Catherine (Crochunis) Bendetti.

He was the husband of Dawn Patrice (Becker) Bendetti. They were High School Sweethearts and were married on June 28th, 1986.

He was raised in the Catholic Faith.

Michael graduated from Blue Mountain High School in 1981 and earned his Bachelors degree from Penn State Schuylkill Campus.

He served in the U.S. Army and worked as a Environmental Scientist. Michael was an avid Mets and Redskins fan. He was a history Buff and a Civil War enthusiast.

In addition to Dawn, his wife of 37 years, Michael is survived by three daughters, Rachel Bendetti, Emily Bendetti, and Mikaylah Bendetti, two sisters, Cathy, wife of Gregory Yutko and Pam Koshar;
three brothers, Robert Bendetti , husband of Mary, Douglas Bendetti, husband of Cali and Kenneth Bendetti.

He is also survived by his Aunt Dorothy Bendetti, widow of Daniel.

A memorial gathering will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, May 6th at Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc. in Orwigsburg, PA followed by a Religious Service at 7:00 PM with Father David Loeper officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hillside SPCA PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901.

Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Annville, at a later date.

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Nicole A. (Nikki) Just
, 42, of Orwigsburg, passed away Wednesday, May 1st, at St. Luke's Hospital,Bethlehem,with her family at her side.

She was born in Reading, PA on September 28, 1981, a daughter of Janet (Earhart) and Dominick J. Just, of Orwigsburg.

In addition to her parents, Nikki, is survived by her companion of Rob Boyer, with whom she resided.
She graduated from Blue Mountain High School , Class of 1999 and earned her Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice in 2003 from West Chester.

She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg and during her life she was employed as a Technician for Allstate & Farmers Insurance Companies.

Nikki was an animal lover and enjoyed her 6 cats but her #1 was Smudge. She and Rob were really into gardening through hydroponics. Nikki also was a collector of Gnomes.

Services are private and entrusted to the Hamilton - Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home, Inc. 116 S. Liberty St., Orwigsburg, PA 17961.

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Joan G. Bensinger
, age 89 of Philadelphia, PA, formerly of Port Carbon, PA passed away on April 30, 2024.

Born on March 27, 1935, she was the daughter of the late George and Lucy (Bentz) Bensinger.

Joan was a graduate of the last class of the Port Carbon Soldier's Memorial High School in Port Carbon. She then earned her Masters Degree from Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. in 1960 and been working with deaf children since graduating. Joan taught for four years at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Pittsburgh, for twenty six years at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Philadelphia, and also for the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf and at that school, the Class of 1996 dedicated its yearbook to thank Joan for making an impact on their lives. Joan had a love for politics, was an avid reader, and she was of the Lutheran Faith.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Olive Thomas and Carmen Deramo.
Joan is survived by two sisters: Dorothy Major, Pottsville and Marlene Bensinger, New York and nieces and nephews.

A special thank you goes out to her great niece and great nephew Kathryn and Alex Arvelo Wolfe for all the great care that they gave to their aunt Joan.

Joan was still giving at the end by donating her body to science so that medical students can continue learning.

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Cathryn Mary Kopinetz-Acinapura
, 61, of Branchdale, formerly of Pottsville and Orwigsburg, passed away on Friday, May 3, at Pottsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by her family.

Born on January 10, 1963, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Harriet (Walters) Kopinetz. She was a 1981 graduate of Pottsville Area High School. She worked in local restaurants, including Pine View Acres, D’Angelo’s and Fast Freddie’s.

She was an avid animal lover, preferring to have as many pets as she could.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Kopinetz and Frederick Kopinetz.

Cathryn is survived by three sons, Jeremy Kopinetz (spouse, Renee), Lemoyne, Josh Kopinetz, Landingville, and Gabriel Acinapura, Pottsville; three grandchildren, Haley, Seth and Noah Kopinetz. She was also expecting a great grandchild. Also surviving are two siblings, Cyntha “Cindy” Kopinetz (soulmate, Lon Kramer), Pottsville, and Michael Kopinetz (spouse, Donna), Shenandoah; nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Funeral service arrangements are incomplete. Please return to this page for updates. Please consider supporting the family by making a donation in Cathryn's memory. Donations will also be accepted at the funeral home.

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Jacqueline M. Abram
, 80, of Norwegian Woods, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2024 at Providence Place, Pottsville.

She was born January 24, 1944 a daughter of the late Delphine (Thompson) Gilbert and Thomas Gilbert. She was a graduate of Nativity BVM High School Class of 1962.

Jackie was an award-winning national sales executive for GTE and then Verizon before retiring. She spent many years residing in Alta Loma, California, before returning to her hometown area. Jackie enjoyed shopping, gardening, and playing the slots at the casino. In addition to her parents, she preceded in death by her husband, Albert Abram, a sister, Joan (Farley) Hagelgans. Jackie is survived by her sister, Patricia, wife of John Chimahusky, a nephew, Brian, husband of Adrienne Chimahusky, Nieces, Karen Chimahusky, and Kathy, wife of Toby Speck, Great nieces, Alexandra Chimahusky, and Brynley Speck, and a niece and nephews in New Jersey. Special thanks to her wonderful caregivers at Providence Place and the Hospice of Central Pa. A private Graveside Service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.

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