Skook News Obituaries: July 28th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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On August 11, 1950, in Taylor, PA, he was the second of four children born to the late Vito D. and Claire D. (Marconi) Rinaldi. He graduated from Scranton Preparatory High School, then went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in business from Villanova University in 1972.
After graduating from Villanova, he began his career in the auto industry at Vito Rinaldi Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in Shenandoah, working with his father, brother, and a small but dedicated team of professionals, several of whom he worked with for decades. In 1988, he expanded the business by acquiring the former Seitzinger Motors in Frackville, now Rinaldi CDJR in Shenandoah, and again in 1999 with the purchase Ritter Auto Mall of Schuylkill Haven, now R&R Auto Group. Throughout his business career he was a franchise dealer representing the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Truck, Fiat and Lancia brands. He was also a longtime licensee for National & Alamo Rental Car, operating out of the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Airport for nearly 40 years. At various times he served on both local and regional auto dealer advisory boards, and his businesses have made countless charitable contributions over the 50+ years in operation.
Though he achieved more than a modest amount of business success, unquestionably his proudest accomplishment was marrying the love of his life and creating the family he loved, cherished, and adored.
While in Philadelphia, he met Kathleen, the woman who would become his true love, his “ever-loving”. He found her sunny disposition and natural beauty simply irresistible as did she, his kind eyes and witty charm. They wed on January 6, 1973, and for more than five decades shared daily laughter, respect, and devotion through all of life’s joys and challenges till the end- a love so rare now and inspiring to those around them.
The joys of his life were his children and grandchildren; each holding a truly special spot in his heart. He loved seeing them grow up, exploring the world and creating loving families of their own. Sharing words of wisdom, a soulful song on a weekend morning, a hand to help them up when they fell, a silly joke to make them smile when feeling blue, and the biggest, warmest bear hugs one could ever give so they knew they were loved will be forever remembered by each of them.
Robert is predeceased, in addition to his parents, by one brother, Donald W. Rinaldi. Surviving are his wife, Kathleen (Abell) Rinaldi; two sons, Robert P. husband of Catherine Rinaldi, Sugarloaf, PA, and Vito T. Rinaldi, Dallas, TX; two daughters, Lisa Rinaldi Ortiz, Frackville, wife of Anthony Ortiz, Nashville, TN, and Claire wife of Brandon Jeffcoat, League City, TX; sisters, Mary Rinaldi Lister, Plano, TX, and Vita Rinaldi, Addison, TX; 8 Grandchildren, Robert J. and Mia Rinaldi, Avalona Ortiz, Madison and Isabella Roubieu, and Gage, Taylor, and Braelen Jeffcoat.
Like the sports cars he loved, Bob is driving in the fast lane forever in our hearts.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 573 State Route 93, Conyngham, PA. A viewing will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the church prior to mass. Additional viewing will be held on Friday from 5:30 to 8:00 PM with kindness of Krapf & Hughes Funeral Home allowing us to use their facility at 530 W. Butler Dr., Drums, PA. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to the Anthony J. Rinaldi Foundation for Children with Cancer by visiting their website https://ajrfoundation.org/ or by mail at 538 Spruce St., Suite 600, Scranton, PA 18503.
Those who wish to share photos or condolences to the family can visit the funeral home website at www.markjhummelfuneralhome.com
MARK J HUMMEL Funeral Home, 48 N Broad Mountain Ave., Frackville has charge of funeral arrangements.
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Marion T. Basheda passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 24th at the age of 95.
Marion was born on April 26, 1930 to George and Mary Upanavage. On April 23, 1955, she married Stephen Basheda, who died in 2011. They were lifelong Frackville residents.
Marion was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Frackville.
Marion is survived by her daughter, Lisa Kaneham, with whom she resided for the past 3 years; a son Stephen and family, who are estranged. She is also survived by grandchildren: Katherine, Jack and Michael; a beloved grandson, Billy, who died in 2013; her brother, Gene Upanavage and family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 4th at 10:30 a.m. in St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 49 N. Line Street, Frackville, with Rev. Guency Isaac, pastor, as the celebrant. Private interment will follow the mass in St. Louis Cemetery, Englewood, Frackville.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers contributions, in Marion’s name, be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Coaldale, George was a son of the late George and Elizabeth (Chabala) Stoffey. He attended Coaldale High School and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam conflict.
George was employed as a machine operator at Ametek for 23 years and had previously worked at Yurick’s Mighty Fine Bakery in Lansford. He was an avid Penn State football fan, fisherman, and gardener who also enjoyed picking mushrooms and observing nature.
He was a member of the Coaldale American Legion and St. John XXIII Catholic Church in Tamaqua.
George is survived by his wife, Annie; two daughters, Georgiann Unger and her husband Barry of Topton, and Yvonne Stoffey of Coaldale; one granddaughter, Riley Unger of Topton; one sister, Margaret Shigo of Lansford; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; three brothers, Sonny, Thomas, and Joseph Stoffey; and three sisters, Betty Stoffey, Verna Bench, and Dorothy Zimmerman.
A prayer service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua. Interment at Sky-View Memorial Park will follow. Call on Friday from 9:30 to 11 AM at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Born Friday, September 8, 1950. she was a daughter of the late Myers and Dorris (Berner) Zimmerman.
Lynn was a 1968 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and a member of St. Peter's Church, West Penn.
Surviving are daughter, Sherry Ficocelli of Lehighton, son, Barry J. Gerber, Jr., Tamaqua, PA, brother, Todd P. Zimmerman of Mantzville; 5 grand children; 3 great grand children.
Burial for Lynn will be private at the convivence of the family.
Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services , 2066 W Penn Pike New Ringgold, PA 17960 is entrusted with arrangements.
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Mack was born in Valdosta, Georgia, Saturday, December 18, 1942, a son of the late Monroe and Audrey Nicholson Fennell.
He was a United States Army Veteran, serving during the Vietnam era.
Mack worked as an inspector for the former TRW for over 20 years. He then went on to work in the Road and Grounds Department with the New Cumberland Army Depot.
He was of the Protestant faith. Mack was a member of the former Jaycees and was a Boy Scout Assistant Leader for the Tower City Troop. He was also a former member of the Tower City American Legion.
Mack enjoyed spending time with his family, going camping, and spending time around his house. He could always be seen taking his beloved dog for rides around town and down Clarks Valley.
He is survived by his wife 63 years, Bonnie L. Wishinski Fennell; three sons, Michael and his wife Lori, Tower City, David and his wife Cindy, Weisample, and Stewart and his companion Jodi, Pottsville; three grandchildren, Leah Evans, Benjamin Fennell, and Bruce Unverdorben; great grandchildren, Mason, Brady, Noah, Emma, Archer, Blake, Alana, and Hudson who will arrive in September; a sister-in-law, Rose Deiter and her husband Brad, Tower City; two nephews.
Following Mack's wishes he will be laid to rest privately in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery with full military honors.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City is honored to serve the Fennell family.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
