Skook News Obituaries: May 5th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Pottsville on September 14, 1943, he was the son of the late John J. Mootz, Sr. and Fern (Boltz).
John was the widower of Karen (Miller) Mootz.
He graduated from Nativity B.V.M. High School.
John went on to serve in the U.S. Navy on the USS Tench as a nuclear submarine engineer.
John retired from Summit Trailers, Summit Station and had previously worked for Steco Trailers, Saint Clair.
He was a member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Schuylkill Haven. He was also a member of American Legion Post 38.
John is survived by two sons: Michael Ulsh, husband of Michelle, of Auburn, Robert Ulsh II, husband of Allison, of Savannah, GA. He is also survived by grandchildren: Michael, Madison, Mason, Miller, Robert III and sister, Melinda, wife of Al Smith, or Montoursville, PA. He is also survived by niece, Meredith Yowell.
In addition to his wife and parents, John is preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Mootz.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, May 15th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the start of the service.Interment will be held privately at the family’s convenience.
At the family’s request, memorial donations can be made to Hillside SPCA, Po Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
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Mrs. Martha "Marty" Keenly of Summit Hill, passed away peacefully on May 4th, 2025, at her home. She was the widow of Gene "Skip" Keenly who died in 2015.
Born in Coaldale, she was the daughter of the late John and Bertha (Rhubright) Little of Tamaqua. She was predeceased by a sister Jacqueline Schimpf.
A 1965 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she continued her education at Kutztown University in 1969 with a degree in secondary education. She later went on to get her degree in Elementary education there. She taught thirty-five years at Panther Valley School District.
She enjoyed walking, her dog, reading, doing puzzles, and working on the computer.
Surviving is her partner Robert Gelatko, brother-in-law Dennis Keenly and wife Marilyn, and nieces and nephews.
At her request there will be no services.
Contributions in her name may be made to Carbon County Animal Shelter, 63 Broad Street, Nesquehoning, PA 18240.
Arrangements are entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.
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Born in Ashland on February 14, 1950 she was the daughter of the late Claire (Calvert) and James McAvoy.
Sharon graduated from Girardville High School in 1967.
She was of the Catholic faith and was a lifelong member of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Girardville where she served as a lector and eucharist minister. Sharon was also a member of the Holy Rosary Society.
Sharon was the wife of the late Edward Smith who passed away November 1, 2023.
Early in her career she worked as a secretary in Harrisburg for the Commonwealth of PA Department of Treasury. Later she ran the deli and bakery at the Jiffy Mart in Girardville. She was well known for her peanut butter icing, long johns, cheesy bread and her unique sweet pizza sauce.
Sharon enjoyed riding her bicycle and doing dollar bill origami.
She is survived by; daughter Andrea Bzdak (Brian), Catawissa; daughter Maryellen Smith (Jimmy Cress), Girardville; son Edward J. Smith (Lori), Aristes; son Eric Smith, Freidensburg; sister Nancy Goodale, Girardville; 8 grandchildren Ben, Bailey, Grace, Katie, Olivia, Laney, Avery, Kalli; 2 great grandchildren Aleah & Halle; several nieces & nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 260 N 2nd St, Girardville, PA 17935. A visitation for family and friends will be held in church Tuesday morning May 13th from 9:00-10:00 AM. Burial will follow mass at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc, 901 Centre St, Ashland PA has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Prior to retiring, she was a clerk at M & S Hardware, Tamaqua, a sewing machine operator at various garment factories, and a school bus driver and bookkeeper for her husband’s business, Norman Schaeffer Busing. Together, they provided school bus transportation to Tamaqua Area School District for 26 years. Born in West Penn Township, she was the daughter of the late Leon and Emma (Steigerwalt) Hoppes. She was a member of St. Peter’s Church, West Penn, and the former Andreas VFW Post 5069 Auxiliary. Her life was filled with family, love and faith. Velma enjoyed driving the kids to school on the bus and watching hockey on tv. She loved doing everything together with her husband, gardening, traveling to Lancaster, and taking her grandchildren to Knoebels.
She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Leon, Norman, Walter, and Charles, five sisters, Doris Cheese, Elsie Nester, Dorothy Liddic, Mary Hoppes and Eleanor Hoppes.
Surviving are two sons, Eugene D. and his wife Linda, of New Ringgold, and Dennis L., and his wife Judy, of Seffner, FL; four sisters, Grace, wife of Darwin Haas, of Orfield, Madeline Fritz, of New Ringgold, Sandra, wife of Marlin Zehner, of New Ringgold, and Helen Wilson, of Pottsville; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 10, at St. Peter’s Church, West Penn, 184 St. Peter’s Rd, Tamaqua, PA 18252, with Rev. Cliffert Herring officiating. Call at the church Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30am. Interment in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church.
Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
