Skook News Obituaries: June 16th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Ashland on May 20, 1967, he was the son of the late David Evans and his surviving mother, Marilyn Miller Evans of Mahanoy City.
Mike attended the former Mahanoy City Catholic School and was a 1985 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School. He then went on to graduate from East Stroudsburg University in 1989 and then earned his master’s degree in social work from Marywood University in 2001.
He began his career in 1989 having worked for the Schuylkill County MH / MR Program, then progressed to working for the ReDCo Group from 1999 through 2006 and was lastly employed since 2006 for the North Schuylkill School District as a social worker.
For those of you who knew Mike, you know what an avid hunter he was! He enjoyed hiking, fishing and hunting. Camping was his favorite along with enjoying the great outdoors…………………If you happen to believe this, it’s the farthest thing from the truth. Simply, he enjoyed the beach and being with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Rene Gilfert Evans, his two daughters- Kirstin Evans with her fiancé Tyler Cox and Erika Steinhilber with her husband CJ; his 2 granddaughters- Aubrey Pukavage and Ivy Jane Steinhilber; his sister- Joellen Evans; his nephew- Todd Evans with his wife Daniella; his niece- Taylor Evans; and his step-son- Nicholas Reese with his wife Erin.
A visitation for family friends will be held on Thursday, June 19th from 9 to 11am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St. Shenandoah. Scripture services will be held at 11am and will be conducted by Pastor Rose Marquardt. Burial will be strictly private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s memory may be made to the Annual Spartan Games at North Schuylkill High School.
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Robert J. Bentz, 81 of Pottsville, died peacefully Sunday morning at home.
He was born on October 17, 1943 in Pottsville a son of the late, John D. and Florence M. Hahner Bentz.
He was a 1961 graduate of Nativity BVM High School and attended Penn State University.
Bob served for a short period of time in the U.S. Navy.
Prior to retiring he worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining.
He was a former member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
He was preceded in death by his siblings Joanne Hepler, John Bentz and Lois Desch.
Surviving are his wife, Donna Bentz; 2 sons, Robert Bentz, Harrisburg; Richard Bentz and his wife Santina, Pottsville; Erica Polley, Mar Lin; 7 grandchildren, Zachary Bentz, Gabriella Bentz, Shea Polley; Austin Bentz, Richard Bentz, Hunter Bentz, Benjamin Polley; nieces and nephews; former daughter-in-law, Barbara Hauptly Bentz, Harrisburg.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11AM, Saturday, June 21 at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, with Rev. Kevin J. Bobbin as celebrant. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 9:30AM until the time of mass. Interment will be at the convenience of family in St. John No. 2 Cemetery, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Bob be made to Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., Pottsville, PA 17901. 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
