Skook News Obituaries: May 18th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Marian Virginia Hancock, 96, went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 16, 2025. Born November 26, 1928 in Pottsville, she had lived in Schuylkill County all her life. She was the daughter of the late John and Marian Derr Hancock, originally of Mount Laffee in Cass Township.Since childhood, Marian was a member of First Congregational Church in Minersville where she became a deeply faithful congregant and enjoyed singing in the choir. She was a Deacon in the church for 16 years. She attended local schools and graduated from Cass Township in 1946. In her youth, she was employed for two and a half years by Kresge’s Department Store in downtown Pottsville. She retired in 1980 from Boltz Knitting Mill after twenty years of employment. She enjoyed writing her many pen pals and growing flowers. For five years, she was delighted to meet new people as an Avon representative with her best friend Eileen Eckert.
Her family had strong historical ties to the community, and she loved to share their stories and genealogy. She was a great granddaughter of Joseph Derr who came to Pottsville in 1826 to apprentice in the metal casting business and was at one time the leader of the old Pottsville Band as well as an active member of the Pottsville School Board.
In addition to her parents John and Marian Derr Hancock, she was preceded in death by her daughter Sharon Neidlinger, grandson Joseph G. Neidlinger, and brother Air Force Lt. Col. John Harvey Hancock of Fort Worth, Texas.
Surviving are her grandchildren, John Neidlinger, Jimmy Neidlinger, Jean Neidlinger Tipping (Michael), June Neidlinger Kline (Jeffrey Jr.), Lisa Tomes (Brian); 22 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren; nephew John William Hancock, Sr. (Tracy) of Allen, Texas, and niece Carol Hancock Murray (Dan) of Fort Worth, Texas.
The family would like to give special thanks to the dedicated, compassionate, and caring healthcare professionals at Schuylkill Center in Pottsville.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday May 21, 2025 at First Congregational Church, 315 Sunbury Street, Minersville, with Rev. Dave Wood officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family from 10:00AM-11:00 AM at the church. In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made the First Congregational Church Memorial Fund at the above address. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery Pottsville.
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Joseph M. Gipson, 81 of Branchdale, passed away April 30, 2025 at his home.
Born in Long Island, NY, September 2, 1942 he was a son of the late Richard and Mary (Federovich) Gipson.
Joseph worked in many warehouses in New York before coming to Pennsylvania.
He was of the Catholic Faith.
In his younger days Joseph surf fished at the ocean and relaxed with friends.
He also enjoyed watching old westerns, was a loyal fan of the New York Yankees and attended many Yankee Baseball games.
He preferred listening to radio over TV which kept him updated on the latest news. He was a Gentle Giant of a man with a soft smile. He kept the love for his Mother dear to his heart.
Burial will be held in Holy Rood Cemetery, New York at a later date.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
