Skook News Obituaries: April 29th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Odess is survived by his wife of 47 years, Claire, daughters Natalie James and spouse Paul James, daughter Lindsey and spouse Aaron, niece Kirby (Huffman) Fye and her spouse Adam. His grandchildren include Logan, Sophia and Ira. His great-nieces include Dylan and Briar. Odess is also survived by his mother Evelyn Glen and youngest sister Letha Sauls, many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his younger sister Anna Beadle.
Odess retired from PP&L Nuclear Power Station Berwick working as a security officer in 2018. He was a life-long member of the American Legion, served as Schuylkill County Constable, volunteered as assistant coach for multiple youth organizations and enjoyed his time serving The Lord as sexton at St. Mary’s Orthodox church. Odess loved riding his motorcycle, especially for charity benefit rides and spending time with his friends and family, but most of all his grandchildren, who he considered his best friends.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday May 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM from St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church, 217 1st St, Coaldale PA 18218. A viewing for family and friends will be held at the church Thursday morning May 1st from 10:00-11:00 AM. Burial with military honors will follow services at St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Cemetery in Summit Hill.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Odess’ memory to St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, 217 1st St. Coaldale, Pa 18218.
Navy Hymn
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
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Anna Mae Minchhoff, 93, of Reading Dr., Wernersville, formerly of Pine Grove, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025 at home.
Born on June 20, 1931 in Tremont, she was a daughter of the late John and Sadie Bretzius Lauck.
Preceding her in death were her husband John F. Minchhoff and a brother Alvin Lauck.
At Anna Mae's request, there will be no services.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements
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Jean J. Schneck Pillar, 83, of High St., Pine Grove, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025 in Geisinger St. Luke's Hospital, Orwigsburg.
Born on August 14, 1941 in Pine Grove, she was a daughter the late Warren E. Sr. and Gertrude Barr Schneck.
She was a 1959 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School.
Jean was married to the late Ronald Paul Pillar, who passed away on May 5, 2009 at the age of 70.
She moved to Maryland in 1967 and in 1980, she and her husband Ronald, built their home in Harford County. She remained there until she moved back to Pine Grove in 2022.
Jean was a school bus driver for 25 years in Harford County, MD, retiring in 2005.
She loved playing bingo and Elvis.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her husband, are two sons, Bryon Scot Pillar and Bradley Seth Pillar; and a brother, Warren E. Schneck, Jr.
Surviving are six grandchildren, Kevin, Brittany, Courtney, Ellie, Elaina, and David; great grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Linda Pillar and Shelly Pillar; a brother, Ronald Schneck and a sister, Deanna Klinger, both of Pine Grove; nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove with SALM John Ziegler officiating. There will be a viewing on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
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Born in Pittston, Jean was a daughter of the late Anthony and Mary (Brody) Fabrizio. She was a 1964 graduate of Marian Catholic High School and earned an associate degree from Manor College in Jenkintown, PA. Jean worked for many years as a teller in the American Bank, Meridian Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank from which she retired in 2000. She lived her life by three cardinal principles: a strong faith, a loyalty to family, and a love for her friends. A former member of St. Jerome Catholic Church in Tamaqua and a current member of St. John XXIII of Tamaqua, Jean was a devout Catholic that dedicated her time to church activities including cleaning the church, serving as a eucharistic minister, and enjoying lunch with the church ladies. She was a former treasurer of the Tamaqua Meal on Wheels and a former president of the Hometown Garden Club. Jean especially enjoyed spending time with her sons and her grandchildren, frequent trips to Atlantic City, and spending winters together with her husband at their apartment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
As a three-time cancer survivor, Jean recently received the “Courage Award” from the American Cancer Society of Eastern Pennsylvania.
She is survived by her husband, Ralph; three sons, Carmen and his wife Patty of Bluffton, South Carolina, Ralph of Hometown, and Jerome, Sr., and his fiancé Kim Norton of West Chester; three grandchildren, Jerome, Jr., Madeline, and Kathryn; and a great-grandson, Jerome III.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Carmen Fabrizio, who died in 1967.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua. Interment in Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown will follow.
Call 10-11 AM in the church social hall. Memorial donations in Jean’s name may be made to the church. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Gerald Hall, 73, of Frackville, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Tremont Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Shenandoah on August 25, 1951, he was the son of the late Walter and Dorothy (Retalik) Hall.
Gerald was a 1969 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School. He worked as a welder for the former Shenandoah Steel Co. Gerald was an avid sports fan and player as he played all sports. He played all 4 years in high school for Shenandoah Valley. He was also a diehard Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan.
Besides his parents, he was preceded by his brother, Walter Hall in 2023.
He is survived by 2 sons, Phillip and Joseph Hall.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
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Gerald Hall, 73, of Frackville, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Tremont Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Shenandoah on August 25, 1951, he was the son of the late Walter and Dorothy (Retalik) Hall.
Gerald was a 1969 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School. He worked as a welder for the former Shenandoah Steel Co. Gerald was an avid sports fan and player as he played all sports. He played all 4 years in high school for Shenandoah Valley. He was also a diehard Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan.
Besides his parents, he was preceded by his brother, Walter Hall in 2023.
He is survived by 2 sons, Phillip and Joseph Hall.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville