Skook News Obituaries: April 30th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Pottsville, September 8, 1959, He was a son of the late Albert P and Patricia J. (Culbert) Kessock.
A 1977 graduate of St. Clair Area High School, he went on to serve in the US Air Force for 14 years, including during the Persian Gulf War.
He went on to work at FedEx and retried from Ridgeview Nursing Home, where he worked in Transportation and Scheduling.
Surviving are his wife Linda L. (Johns) Kessock; a daughter Caroline P. Martinez and her husband Alvaro of Pottsville; 2 Sons Kenneth Kessock and his fiance Gina Bareika of Pottsville; James “Jimmy” Kessock Jr. and his wife Jessica Fracvkille; stepdaughter Samantha Sutton of St. Clair; Stepson Patrick Higgins of Chester 3 brothers Paul Kessock of St. Clair; Albert Kessock of Lancaster; brother Darryl Kessock and his wife Tina of TN; a sister Patti Jo Kessock of Lake Wynonah; Grandchildren LaBrandon Kessock-Haney, Samuel J. Martinez, Alvaro Martinez, Elena Martinez, Noah Kessock, Blake Kessock, Alexis Higgins; 2 Great Grandchildren Chase and Luke; Nieces and Nephews.
Memorial Service will be held at 7:30 PM Sunday May 4, 2025 from Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street St. Clair. The Rev. David Poissant will be officiating. Friends may call from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will be at 10:00 AM Monday May 5, 2025 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
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Mrs. Schar was predeceased by her husband, John Schaar and many brothers and sisters.
She is survived by one brother, Richard Slotcavage and his wife, Geraldine, of Myrtle Beach, SC.
Mrs. Schaar was an Air Force Veteran and was a member of the American Legion of Murrells Inlet, SC.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 21st at 10 a.m. from St. Joseph the Worker Parish (St. Ann's Church) with Rev. Giuseppe Esposito, pastor, as the celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation at the church on Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of mass. Interment will follow in Annunciation BVM Catholic Cemetery, Englewood, Frackville.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born at the former Ashland State Hospital, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Anna (Kost) Powanda Sr. She was a graduate of Mahanoy Area High School and received her practical nurse training at the Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing. Linda worked as a nurse for various independent agencies throughout her nursing career.
She was a United States Air Force veteran and was a member of Mahanoy City American Legion Post 74. She was also a member of the former VFW Post in Mahanoy City.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband Michael in 2021, a son Michael D. Economy in 2019, and a brother Michael Powanda Jr.
Survivors include a son, Jason Economy, and his wife Katrina of Lavelle, as well as four grandchildren: Alivia, Karleigh, Josie, and Kensley.
Relatives and friends are invited to call and visit with the family on Wednesday evening from 6 to 7:30 PM at David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City. A prayer service will be led by the Rev. Kevin P. Gallagher beginning at 6:30 PM.
Interment will be private at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.
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Evelyn H. Messina, age 84, of Palo Alto, PA passed away Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 at her home.
Born in Saint Clair, PA on May 29, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Singlor) Hebor.
Evelyn worked as a secretary at Higgins Insurance Company in Pottsville until retiring. She was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in St. Clair, enjoyed going to the casino, going out to eat with friends and family. She also loved animals and talking to people.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Jack A. Messina and seven siblings.
Evelyn is survived by a son Mark E. Messina; daughters: Lori A. Messina and her companion Les Adams III and Lisa M. Messina; a grandson Joshua Fredericks; and nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, St. Clair at 10:30AM on Monday, May 5th, with Msgn William Glosser officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing on Monday morning from 8:30-10AM at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon.
Interment will be held in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, St. Clair.
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Born in Shenandoah on April 15, 1943, he was the son of the late Frank J. and Anne (Spleen) Rizzo.
Frank was well educated as he earned his bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University and a Master of Science (M/S) in Business Administration from Bucknell University. He retired from McCann School of Business where he was an instructor for many years.
Besides his parents, Frank was preceded by his companion- Joyce Bobbin in 2020.
His surviving family includes 2 brothers- John Rizzo and Phillip Rizzo, 2 sisters- Donna Mazurkevich and Sandy Arbushites, along with several nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, May 3rd from 8:30 to 10:30am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah. Scripture services will be conducted at 10:30am. Burial will immediately follow in the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
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She was born on October 16, 1924, in Pottsville, a daughter of the late Thomas J. and Vera Lecher McCaffrey.
She was a graduate of Pottsville High School and also attended the Ford School of Business and Drexel University.
She was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, and the former Pottsville Lionette's.
She was a lifelong artist, finding joy in painting, drawing, and needlework. She had a love for the ocean and spending time in Ocean City, NJ.
Virginia was predeceased by her husband, Charles C. "Sonny" Boyer, on April 17, 2005, and her son, James Boyer; her sister, Agatha McCarron, and her brother, Thomas McCaffrey.
She is survived by her two sons, Robert Boyer, Pottsville and David Boyer, Lititz; and her grandson, James Boyer, Bethlehem; nieces and nephews.
Services will be private and interment will be private in Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrance in the form of contributions in memory of Virgina be made to St. Joseph Center for Special Learning, 302 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
