Skook News Obituaries: June 24th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Donald C. Love, 83, Main Street, Lavelle, passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Hershey Medical Center, Hershey. Born in Fountain Springs, at the former Ashland Hospital, he was the son of the late Howard and Madeline (Heffron) Love. He was a graduate of the former Butler Township High School, class of 1958, and the Bloomsburg State Teachers College. Don taught science for the Ashland Area School system, now the North Schuylkill High School, and later was the owner operator of Love’s Construction Company, of Lavelle, specializing in residential sewage systems. He and his wife Joanne, operated Love’s general store and gas station in Lavelle, until its closing in 1990. Don was a life member of the Lavelle Volunteer Fire Company. Preceding him in death was his wife, Joanne (Lovey) Birster Love, passing December 30, 2020, and a sister in law, Joann Birster, Locustdale.
Survivors
Daughter: Kathy wife of Mihai Radu, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Son: Jeff Love and his wife Beth, Lavelle
Sister: Violet wife of Eugene Heyer, Lavelle
Two Grandchildren: Jason and Jamie Love
A lot of great friends
Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Don’s and Joanne life, Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 7 PM in the Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, 1323 Centre St., Ashland. Officiating will be Rev. Jeremy Smallwood, pastor of the Lavelle Church of the Nazarene. Visitation will begin at 5 PM, Thursday, until time of service. Please attend and share your memories of Don and Joanne. Visit www.FritzFuneralHome.com to leave condolences. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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David was born in Pottsville, PA on December 29, 1958, a son of the late Margaret (Olexo) Charowsky and Harry Charoswsky.
Graduated from Minersville High School class of 1976 and attended Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Lancaster.
He had worked for the former Cressona Aluminum, and Pine Grove Homes.
He was a member of the Sunny Rod Gun Club.
David is survived by a son, Samuel three brothers, James, husband of Barbara, of Pottsville; Michael, of Kempton; Harry, husband of Debbie, of North Bend WA.
Services are private at the convenience of family.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and send sympathy cards.
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Bob was born in Rausch Creek, a small mining village, on April 22, 1929 and was the only child of Percy Leon Archer and Sadie (Zimmerman) Archer.
Bob graduated from Tremont High School in 1946. Immediately after graduation, he enlisted in The Army Air Corps, and was honorably discharged as Sgt. from the U.S. Air Force in 1949. He also attended Lincoln Technical Institute in 1949-1950.
He was employed by Earl Stoyer Cadillac-Oldsmobile from 1950 to 1982 when the dealership closed. He was an auto tech and checked in and pre-delivered new cars for 20 years. He was then employed by Heritage Ford, Orwigsburg; Dinger Chevrolet, Sch. Haven as a Line Tech., and retired from Ritter Cadillac as a Line Supvr. and shop foreman in 1991. He was also an expert AC tech.
Bob's favorite hobby was detailing his 2 show cars: 1959 Oldsmobile S88 Conv. (original owner), and a 1985 Cadillac Seville. Bob loved big, fancy and shiny automobiles. He and his present wife Carolyn spent weekends at car shows in the summer. He almost always got place awards including Best of Show and People's Choice. He won 1st place twice in his class at the GM Nationals Show in Carlisle. He loved reading factual history books, watched westerns on TV, spending time with family, and traveling. He married Carolyn on a Celebrity Cruise Ship in 2000 in Ketchican, Alaska.
He was a life member of the Pine Grove American Legion and a member of the VFW.
Also, a past member of the Cadillac LaSalle Club and the Oldsmobile Club of America, and the AAA museum.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, his aunt Alice (Zimmerman) Troy, and his previous wife Elsie (Lehr) Archer, whom he was married to from 1950 to 1995. He is survived by his wife Carolyn (Mantz) Archer; son Jeff, wife Brenda; daughter Debbie Brixius, companion Robert Behm; grandsons, Tim Brixius, wife Aleisha; Chris Brixius, wife Jonna; Robert L. Archer II, companion Katy; Jeffrey Archer II, wife Jacqueline; 5 great-grandchildren, Delton, Julia, Sela, Jax and Cooper; and a step-daughter Sherri Orlofsky, husband Charles. Also, sisters-in-law Ruth Moyer & Dorothy Spancake; brothers-in-law Robert & Ed Lehr; many cousins.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to the Arthritis Foundation | P.O. Box 96280 | Washington, DC 20077 or to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, PO Box 70719, Philadelphia PA 19176-0719.
Carolyn would like to thank the Lebanon VA and their staff for all the services they provided; Geisinger Dr. Darhun for 35 years of excellent care, and Bob's family for their help, love and support.
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William S. Winkler, 72, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Saturday, June 21st, at Geisinger St. Luke's Hospital, Orwigsburg.
Born in Philadelphia on December 16, 1952, he was the son of the late Charles and Gertrude (Betz) Winkler.
Bill was employed at Paone Woodworking Co., Philadelphia for most of his career.
He was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Bill is survived by three children: Felicity Winkler, Ryan Winkler, and Katilyn Winkler; a sister, Sr. Barbara Winkler, MSC; a brother, Gary Winkler, husband of Diane; a sister-in-law; Judi Winkler; his loving partner and companion, Faye Schnoke.
In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by sisters, Gertrude Strawderman and Chris Abrameck; a brother, Charles Winkler; and sons, Todd & baby, Billy Winkler.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Thursday, June 26th at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Schuylkill Haven with Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM. Interment will follow at Reedsville Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.
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Born in Philadelphia on December 16, 1952, he was the son of the late Charles and Gertrude (Betz) Winkler.
Bill was employed at Paone Woodworking Co., Philadelphia for most of his career.
He was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Bill is survived by three children: Felicity Winkler, Ryan Winkler, and Katilyn Winkler; a sister, Sr. Barbara Winkler, MSC; a brother, Gary Winkler, husband of Diane; a sister-in-law; Judi Winkler; his loving partner and companion, Faye Schnoke.
In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by sisters, Gertrude Strawderman and Chris Abrameck; a brother, Charles Winkler; and sons, Todd & baby, Billy Winkler.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Thursday, June 26th at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Schuylkill Haven with Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM. Interment will follow at Reedsville Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.
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Born Dec. 7, 1927, she was the sixth child and second daughter of Jeremiah and Kathleen (Kelly) Byrne, of Brownsville near Shenandoah, Schuylkill County.
Margaret lived all but the last three years of her life in the tiny coal “patch,” caring for her parents and several of her brothers.
A graduate of West Mahanoy Township High School in 1945, she worked in the F. W. Woolworth store on Main Street in downtown Shenandoah for 45 years.
In 1965, she married John Devanney of Girardville, who preceded her in death in 1991.
“Mag,” as she was affectionately known, was celebrated for her skills in the kitchen, cooking Sunday dinners for extended family, always making sure everyone went home with “takeout.”
A member of the former Annunciation Roman Catholic Church in Shenandoah (now Divine Mercy Parish), Mag baked towering cakes, incomparable fudge and other treats for church picnics, holidays, birthdays and every other family event.
But her most selfless devotion was to her youngest brother, David, who was entrusted to Mag’s care by her mother, and on whom she doted until his passing in 2016.
She kept up her Brownsville home until she was 94 years old, then moved to live with niece Kathleen Sachetti, Bloomsburg. She also lived at the Brookdale Retirement Community, Bloomsburg, before moving to Glen Brook.
In addition to her parents, husband and beloved brother, David, she was preceded in death by sisters Kathryn Dougherty and Anna Bramley, and brothers James, John, Jeremiah Jr. and Paul Byrne.
She is survived by two brothers, William, 99, formerly of Girardville and now Yardley, Pennsylvania, and Vincent, 93, Mascoutah, Illinois; also, by 16 nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be 9 a.m. Friday, June 27, at Divine Mercy Church, 108 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10, celebrated by Msgr. Ronald C. Bocian.
Donations in her memory may be made to Divine Mercy Parish, 108 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah, PA 17976-2207, or to Commonwealth Hospice of Berwick, 1409 N. Market St., Suite 202, Berwick, PA 18603.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Janet J. "Jenny" Ruch, 99, formerly of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Friday, May 23rd, at Geisinger St. Luke's Hospital, Orwigsburg.
Jenny was born in Dumfries, Scotland on March 23, 1926, a daughter of the late John & Janet (Radcliff) Gilfillan.
Married 70 years, she was the widow of Sydney S. Ruch. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Daniel McSweeney.
In addition to working as a pharmacist’s assistant, and a seamstress, Jenny was a homemaker most of her life.
She was a member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Schuylkill Haven. Jenny also belonged to the Schuylkill Haven Senior Citizens, and Craft Class.
She is survived by two daughters, Karen Bubb, wife of Larry, Florida, & Fiona Jacoby, wife of Scott, Schuylkill Haven, her grandchildren: Brian, husband of Kelly, NC, Laura, wife of Jeffrey, Auburn, Philip, Iowa, Steven, husband of Tara, Minnesota & Colleen, wife of James, Minneapolis, and her great-grandchildren: Brandon, Ryan, & Anna Schaeffer, Tyler & Connor Jacoby, Maxwell, Samuel, & Emmett Bubb, Cooper & Miles Anderson, and Elizabeth, Charles & Harrison Bubb.
A private graveside service will be held at the family’s convenience.
The family prefers remembrances in the form of contributions to Grace ECC, 151 Earl Stoyer Dr., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
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Shirley May Foose, 89, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Saturday, June 21st, at home.
Shirley was born in Schuylkill Haven on October 11, 1935, a daughter of the late Harry A. & Sarah A. (Zimmerman) Neidlinger.
She was the widow of Milford D. Foose.
She is also preceded in death by her siblings: Martha Rodnick, Jean Yeager, Alberta Parkhurst, Allen Neidlinger, & John Neidlinger.
Shirley worked for local textile factories, and was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven.
She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Foose, Schuylkill Haven; granddaughter and caretaker, Stephanie M. Foose, Schuylkill Haven, great-grandchildren: Andrew Spencer, & Tayvon Campbell, great-great-grandchildren: Blaze Andrew Wagner, & Xena Jane Spencer, and two brothers, Charles "Chappy" Neidlinger, of Minersville; & James Neidlinger, Sr., of Schuylkill Haven.
Private interment will be held at Union Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
