Skook News Obituaries: June 10th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
------------------------------------------
Theresa M. Boris, 70, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Sunday, June 8th, at her residence.
Born on August 21, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Olga Costick.
Theresa was the wife of the late James P. Boris.
She was a homemaker for most of her life.
Theresa is survived by a son, William Boris and grandchildren: William Jr., Anthony, and Aiyana.
Services and interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc. 25 E Main St. Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
James P. Boris, 74, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Sunday, June 8th, at his residence.
Born in Minersville on October 7, 1950, he was the son of the late Barbara and Frank Boris.
James was the husband of the late Theresa M. (Costick) Boris.
He was a graduate of Minersville High School.
James served in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman.
He was employed as a welder at Empire Steel Foundry for 30 years.
James is survived by three sons: Jim, Bob, and William Boris; grandchildren: William Jr., Anthony, and Aiyana; and a sister, Margaret Rose, wife of Keith Naffin.
Services and interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., 25 E Main St. Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 to help defray the costs of the funeral.
.jpg)
Elizabeth Mae "Betty" Jones, 94 of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2025, as a guest of Greenwood Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation Ctr. in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Born Wednesday, August 27, 1930 in Summit Hill the daughter of the late William and Elizabeth (Tracy) Lawson. Betty was also predeceased by her husband of 59 years, John Paul Jones.
Surviving are; daughter, Betty J. Mount and her companion Art Amatto; sons, John P. Jones , Jr. and his wife Nancy, William D. Jones and his wife Ann; grandchildren, Joseph Mount, Jamie Sidorski and his wife Lydia, Ryan Jones and his wife Liz, Derek Jones and his wife Laureen, Sarah Jones, Matthew Jones and his wife Jennifer, Adam Jones and his wife Emily, and Alex Jones and his wife Madeline; 24 great grandchildren.
A 1948 graduate of the former Summit Hill High School, Betty retired from the former Atlas Powder Co. A member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tamaqua, Betty enjoyed visiting the casino's.
Private arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Interment will be in Grand Army Cemetery, Summit Hill, Pennsylvania.
.png)
Marylouise E. “Marylou” Stankavage, 83 of Phineyville, Ringtown passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025 in her home with her husband by her side.
Born in Shenandoah on December 9, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Teofil L. “Skook” and Mary “Mamie” (Usalis) Galezniak. Marylou was known to many family and friends as “Tootsie”.
She was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
Tootsie was a talented seamstress having worked in the local garment industry until her retirement. She later worked for Divine Mercy Parish in Shenandoah having cleaned Divine Mercy Church, Saint Casimir Church and the parish rectory for many years. She took great pride in her work and it showed.
On August 11, 1962 in Annunciation BVM Church, Frackville with the Rev. S. J. Norbutas officiating, she married Joseph A. Stankavage who survives. They had many happy years, formed special memories and shared a strong loving union together.
Tootsie was creative and artistic; she made many crafts for the various seasons and holidays. She enjoyed gardening and maintaining her home and property. She took delight in the simple aspects of life, like sitting in her gazebo where she would say her prayers or relax to her favorite music. She also enjoyed the shows she saw at Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster with her husband and his family. Tootsie was truly a quiet, sincere, gentle and kind-hearted person. She will be sadly missed by all her loved ones.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her son, Joseph A. “Stank” “Jo Jo” Stankavage on May 15, 1993; two brothers, Joseph and Teofil “Chenney” Galezniak; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Albert Stankavage; Frances Green, Celine and Francis Trynoski, John Kaplafka and Sandra Galezniak.
Surviving in addition to her husband of almost sixty-three years, Joseph A. Stankavage are her brother, Louis Galezniak and his wife Sharon in Florida; sisters-in-law, Patricia Galezniak of Ringtown, Colleen Kaplafka of Frackville and Shirley Stankavage of Frackville; brother-in-law, Richard Greene in Arizona; nieces, Athena, Nicole, Kimberly, Angelica, Lindsey, Debra, Joelle, Kristina and Kimberly; nephews, Curt, Al and Brian; great-nieces and great-nephews; cousins too numerous to mention; and many dear friends who were like family.
Joe extends a special thanks and sincere gratitude to all of the nurses and nursing aides who comforted and cared for Tootsie over the past few months.
Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 S. Market St., Mt. Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, Supervisor and Christopher L. Kowalski, Funeral Director are in care of the arrangements.
.webp)
Lillian Tomsho, 101, of West Broad Street, Tamaqua, died on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Maple Shade Meadows, Nesquehoning, where she was a guest for two years. She was the widow of John Tomsho, who died in 2006.
Born in Newkirk, Lillian was a daughter of the late Albert and Bertha (Kleinhagen) Hosler. A 1941 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she worked for 39 years as a cap inspector at Atlas Powder Company, a position from which she retired in 1984. Lillian was a member of the Atlas 25-Year Club, Tamaqua Senior Citizens, and St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tamaqua.
She enjoyed trips to the casino, reading, puzzle work, and bingo, but she especially looked forward to spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.
Lillian is survived by a daughter, Mary Hartz, and her husband Jeffery of Tamaqua; a granddaughter, Rebecca Laurie and her husband Andrew of Sellersville, Pennsylvania; a grandson, Jeffery Hartz of Tamaqua; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her son, James Hosler; four brothers, William, Albert, Edwin, and George Tomsho; and two sisters, Bertha Grow and Anna Smith.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, with the Rev. Dillon Epler officiating. Interment at Sky-View Memorial Park, 108 Lafayette Avenue, Tamaqua, will follow the service. Call Friday from 10-11 AM at the funeral home.
The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Family Pillars and Maple Shade Meadows for the wonderful care, kindness, and compassion they gave to Lillian daily.
Memorial donations in Lillian’s name may be made to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 Mauch Chunk Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
.webp)
Thomas Mateyak, 79, of Zion Grove, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in his home with his loving wife, Carol, at his side after a lengthy illness with heart disease.
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Stephen and Mary (Kistler) Mateyak. Tom attended Tamaqua schools and was the husband of Carol Ann (Rybarczyk) Mateyak, with whom he celebrated 56 years of marriage this past September.
He worked for many years in the maintenance department of Consolidated Cigar Corp. in Tresckow while also serving in the Army National Guard for 21 years. An avid outdoorsman, Tom loved to go hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling. He was a member of the Sheppton American Legion Post #616 but most of all enjoyed spending time with his family and his loyal canine companion, Rosie.
Tom is survived by his wife, Carol Ann; three brothers, Stephen Mateyak and his wife Joanne of Oakhurst, NJ, Charles Mateyak of Tamaqua, and John Mateyak of Andreas; one sister, Susan Kuklis and her husband Joseph of Tamaqua; a grandson, Matthew Kolensky of Pittston; a granddaughter, Cassandra Mateyak of Sugarloaf; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, Joshua Mateyak, who died in 2022; two sisters-in-law, Sally Mateyak and Karen Mateyak; and two nieces, one nephew, and two great-nieces.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorials in Tom’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692, or to Maylath Hospice, 750 St. Rt. 93, Sybertsville, PA 18251.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
.webp)
Phyllis Lane, 98, of Orwigsburg and formerly of Tamaqua, died on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Orwigsburg. She was the widow of Jack Lane, to whom she was married for 60 years at the time of his death in 2008.
Born in Shamokin, Phyllis was a daughter of the late Clarence and Eleanor (Krause) Koch. A 1945 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she attended the Abington Hospital nursing program but was primarily known for her many years working as a secretary at Tamaqua Area High School, a position from which she retired in the early 1990s.
Phyllis held the record for the longest membership of The First United Methodist Church in Tamaqua. Her many years as a dedicated parishioner included participation in the church choir, The United Methodist Women, the catering society, serving as a Sunday school teacher, and being a former member of the church board. She was also active for many years with the Sweet Adelines and, along with her husband, volunteered with Tamaqua Meals on Wheels and at St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital in Coaldale.
Phyllis loved old movies and music, especially of the Frank Sinatra era and barbershop-style music. She was a genuine people-person who was chronically pleasant and happy to greet anyone. Her pride and joy was “Lake Phyllis,” her backyard pond.
Surviving are two daughters, Judy Schmaldienst and her husband David of Cressona, and Kathy Inama of Lake Hauto; two grandsons, David Schmaldienst and his wife Becky, and Michael Schmaldienst and his wife Michelle; three granddaughters, Deborah Richard and her husband Sam, Nicole Inama, and Megan Streisel and her husband Mark; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Barbara Koch of Tamaqua; one nephew, Thomas Koch and his wife Carol of Auburn; and one niece, Barbara Feege and her husband Edward of Severna Park, Maryland.
Phyllis was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Koch; a son, Stephen, who died in 1951; and a son-in-law, Frank Inama.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua. Call 10–11 AM at the funeral home. A private interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorials in Phyllis’s name may be made to The First United Methodist Church, 124 West Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252, or to Odd Fellows Cemetery, 503 West Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Born on August 21, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Olga Costick.
Theresa was the wife of the late James P. Boris.
She was a homemaker for most of her life.
Theresa is survived by a son, William Boris and grandchildren: William Jr., Anthony, and Aiyana.
Services and interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc. 25 E Main St. Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
-------------------------------------
Born in Minersville on October 7, 1950, he was the son of the late Barbara and Frank Boris.
James was the husband of the late Theresa M. (Costick) Boris.
He was a graduate of Minersville High School.
James served in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman.
He was employed as a welder at Empire Steel Foundry for 30 years.
James is survived by three sons: Jim, Bob, and William Boris; grandchildren: William Jr., Anthony, and Aiyana; and a sister, Margaret Rose, wife of Keith Naffin.
Services and interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., 25 E Main St. Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 to help defray the costs of the funeral.
-------------------------------------
.jpg)
Born Wednesday, August 27, 1930 in Summit Hill the daughter of the late William and Elizabeth (Tracy) Lawson. Betty was also predeceased by her husband of 59 years, John Paul Jones.
Surviving are; daughter, Betty J. Mount and her companion Art Amatto; sons, John P. Jones , Jr. and his wife Nancy, William D. Jones and his wife Ann; grandchildren, Joseph Mount, Jamie Sidorski and his wife Lydia, Ryan Jones and his wife Liz, Derek Jones and his wife Laureen, Sarah Jones, Matthew Jones and his wife Jennifer, Adam Jones and his wife Emily, and Alex Jones and his wife Madeline; 24 great grandchildren.
A 1948 graduate of the former Summit Hill High School, Betty retired from the former Atlas Powder Co. A member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tamaqua, Betty enjoyed visiting the casino's.
Private arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Interment will be in Grand Army Cemetery, Summit Hill, Pennsylvania.
-------------------------------------
.png)
Born in Shenandoah on December 9, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Teofil L. “Skook” and Mary “Mamie” (Usalis) Galezniak. Marylou was known to many family and friends as “Tootsie”.
She was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
Tootsie was a talented seamstress having worked in the local garment industry until her retirement. She later worked for Divine Mercy Parish in Shenandoah having cleaned Divine Mercy Church, Saint Casimir Church and the parish rectory for many years. She took great pride in her work and it showed.
On August 11, 1962 in Annunciation BVM Church, Frackville with the Rev. S. J. Norbutas officiating, she married Joseph A. Stankavage who survives. They had many happy years, formed special memories and shared a strong loving union together.
Tootsie was creative and artistic; she made many crafts for the various seasons and holidays. She enjoyed gardening and maintaining her home and property. She took delight in the simple aspects of life, like sitting in her gazebo where she would say her prayers or relax to her favorite music. She also enjoyed the shows she saw at Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster with her husband and his family. Tootsie was truly a quiet, sincere, gentle and kind-hearted person. She will be sadly missed by all her loved ones.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her son, Joseph A. “Stank” “Jo Jo” Stankavage on May 15, 1993; two brothers, Joseph and Teofil “Chenney” Galezniak; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Albert Stankavage; Frances Green, Celine and Francis Trynoski, John Kaplafka and Sandra Galezniak.
Surviving in addition to her husband of almost sixty-three years, Joseph A. Stankavage are her brother, Louis Galezniak and his wife Sharon in Florida; sisters-in-law, Patricia Galezniak of Ringtown, Colleen Kaplafka of Frackville and Shirley Stankavage of Frackville; brother-in-law, Richard Greene in Arizona; nieces, Athena, Nicole, Kimberly, Angelica, Lindsey, Debra, Joelle, Kristina and Kimberly; nephews, Curt, Al and Brian; great-nieces and great-nephews; cousins too numerous to mention; and many dear friends who were like family.
Joe extends a special thanks and sincere gratitude to all of the nurses and nursing aides who comforted and cared for Tootsie over the past few months.
Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 S. Market St., Mt. Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, Supervisor and Christopher L. Kowalski, Funeral Director are in care of the arrangements.
-------------------------------------
.webp)
Born in Newkirk, Lillian was a daughter of the late Albert and Bertha (Kleinhagen) Hosler. A 1941 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she worked for 39 years as a cap inspector at Atlas Powder Company, a position from which she retired in 1984. Lillian was a member of the Atlas 25-Year Club, Tamaqua Senior Citizens, and St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tamaqua.
She enjoyed trips to the casino, reading, puzzle work, and bingo, but she especially looked forward to spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.
Lillian is survived by a daughter, Mary Hartz, and her husband Jeffery of Tamaqua; a granddaughter, Rebecca Laurie and her husband Andrew of Sellersville, Pennsylvania; a grandson, Jeffery Hartz of Tamaqua; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her son, James Hosler; four brothers, William, Albert, Edwin, and George Tomsho; and two sisters, Bertha Grow and Anna Smith.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, June 13, 2025, at Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, with the Rev. Dillon Epler officiating. Interment at Sky-View Memorial Park, 108 Lafayette Avenue, Tamaqua, will follow the service. Call Friday from 10-11 AM at the funeral home.
The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Family Pillars and Maple Shade Meadows for the wonderful care, kindness, and compassion they gave to Lillian daily.
Memorial donations in Lillian’s name may be made to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 Mauch Chunk Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
-------------------------------------
.webp)
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Stephen and Mary (Kistler) Mateyak. Tom attended Tamaqua schools and was the husband of Carol Ann (Rybarczyk) Mateyak, with whom he celebrated 56 years of marriage this past September.
He worked for many years in the maintenance department of Consolidated Cigar Corp. in Tresckow while also serving in the Army National Guard for 21 years. An avid outdoorsman, Tom loved to go hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling. He was a member of the Sheppton American Legion Post #616 but most of all enjoyed spending time with his family and his loyal canine companion, Rosie.
Tom is survived by his wife, Carol Ann; three brothers, Stephen Mateyak and his wife Joanne of Oakhurst, NJ, Charles Mateyak of Tamaqua, and John Mateyak of Andreas; one sister, Susan Kuklis and her husband Joseph of Tamaqua; a grandson, Matthew Kolensky of Pittston; a granddaughter, Cassandra Mateyak of Sugarloaf; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, Joshua Mateyak, who died in 2022; two sisters-in-law, Sally Mateyak and Karen Mateyak; and two nieces, one nephew, and two great-nieces.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorials in Tom’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692, or to Maylath Hospice, 750 St. Rt. 93, Sybertsville, PA 18251.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
-------------------------------------
.webp)
Born in Shamokin, Phyllis was a daughter of the late Clarence and Eleanor (Krause) Koch. A 1945 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she attended the Abington Hospital nursing program but was primarily known for her many years working as a secretary at Tamaqua Area High School, a position from which she retired in the early 1990s.
Phyllis held the record for the longest membership of The First United Methodist Church in Tamaqua. Her many years as a dedicated parishioner included participation in the church choir, The United Methodist Women, the catering society, serving as a Sunday school teacher, and being a former member of the church board. She was also active for many years with the Sweet Adelines and, along with her husband, volunteered with Tamaqua Meals on Wheels and at St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital in Coaldale.
Phyllis loved old movies and music, especially of the Frank Sinatra era and barbershop-style music. She was a genuine people-person who was chronically pleasant and happy to greet anyone. Her pride and joy was “Lake Phyllis,” her backyard pond.
Surviving are two daughters, Judy Schmaldienst and her husband David of Cressona, and Kathy Inama of Lake Hauto; two grandsons, David Schmaldienst and his wife Becky, and Michael Schmaldienst and his wife Michelle; three granddaughters, Deborah Richard and her husband Sam, Nicole Inama, and Megan Streisel and her husband Mark; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Barbara Koch of Tamaqua; one nephew, Thomas Koch and his wife Carol of Auburn; and one niece, Barbara Feege and her husband Edward of Severna Park, Maryland.
Phyllis was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Koch; a son, Stephen, who died in 1951; and a son-in-law, Frank Inama.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua. Call 10–11 AM at the funeral home. A private interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorials in Phyllis’s name may be made to The First United Methodist Church, 124 West Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252, or to Odd Fellows Cemetery, 503 West Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
-------------------------------------
Sandra J. Neiswender, 73, of E. Biddle Street, Gordon, passed away Monday, June 9, 2025, with family by her side, at her residence.
Sandra J. Neiswender, 73, of E. Biddle Street, Gordon, passed away Monday, June 9, 2025, with family by her side, at her residence.
Funeral arrangements will be announced.
The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
-------------------------------------
These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville