Skook News Obituaries: July 31st, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Jeanne was born in Lancaster on January 22, 1953, a daughter of the late Robert and Elizabeth (Stokes) Metzler. She was retired, having worked as an auditor for the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System.
She was a social member of the Defender Hose Company in Turkey Run, where she helped with the Halloween and Christmas holiday parties. She enjoyed to travel occasionally on bus trips, and was the loving mom to many pet dogs over the years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings, Ronnie, Patsy and Bobby.
She is survived by her caregiver and best friend, Anna Marie Michalik of Shenandoah and by two sisters, Linda Metzler and Debbie Metzler of Reading. Nephews along with their families also survive.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 from 10-11 AM at the Walukiewicz Oravitz-Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah. Jeanne will be interred at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Shenandoah at a later date.
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Jeanette Elchisak, 99, of Port Carbon, formerly of Pottsville, passed away Tuesday July 29, 2025, at LVHN-Schuylkill East.
Born in Detroit, October 19, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Henry and Margaret (McDonald) Prather.
She retired in 1980 as a Licensed Practical Nurse from the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
She was of the Catholic Faith
Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband Alfred Elchisak in 1998.
Surviving are 2 sons John Elchisak and his wife Patricia of Southampton, NJ; Michael Elchisak and his wife Kimberly of Pine Grove; 2 daughters Colleen Karmazin and her husband Michael of Port Carbon; Mary Ann Elchisak of Port Carbon 6 Grandchildren; 5 Great Grandchildren; Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday from Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street, St. Clair, PA 17970 with Msgr. William F. Glosser officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Janet Eich Library, 111 Pike St., Port Carbon, PA 17965.
Burial will be in Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven.
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Born in Shenandoah on May 23, 1932, Nancy was the daughter of the late James C. Ross and Dolores (OBrien) Ross. She was a graduate of the West Mahanoy Township class of 1949. Nancy worked at various retail establishments in Shenandoah, and she retired as Laundry Supervisor from the Shenandoah Senior Living Community after 30 years of service. She was a member of Divine Mercy Parish.
In addition to her parents, Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Dominick J. Avenoso in 2016, her daughter, Dolores I. Bernstein, and her sister, Virginia (Ross) Bokunewicz.
Her surviving family includes 5 sons - John Avenoso with his wife, Georgette, of Hershey, Gary Avenoso with his wife, Nadine, of Catawissa, Ross Avenoso of Virginia, Dominick Avenoso of Lost Creek, and Guy Avenoso of Lost Creek, 1 brother James Ross with his wife Judith of Shenandoah Heights, along with 5 grandchildren - Natalie, Ashley, James, Inez and Eric, 3 great-grandchildren - Nolan, Stella and Charles, and nieces and nephews.
Nancy especially enjoyed celebrating Christmas, and her home, which she lavishly decorated for the holiday, was always a gathering spot on Christmas Day for family and relatives. She enjoyed weekly shopping excursions with her mother and sister, and she doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always showering them with her love and an abundance of toys and apparel from her shopping trips.
Graveside services were held on Tuesday, July 29th at 10:00AM in Annunciation BVM Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights, and were officiated by Rev. Msgr. Ronald Bocian.
The Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc., Shenandoah was entrusted with the arrangements.
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Robert J. Cunningham, 76, of Auburn, passed away Thursday, July 31st at home.
Born in Philadelphia on October 24th, 1948, he was the son of the late Delores (Jankiewicz) and Earl O. Cunningham.
Married 50 years, Robert was the husband of Rosemarie A. (Wholey).
Robert received his Master’s Degree in Administration from Villanova University.
He was employed as a principal at the Archdioceses of Philadelphia Schools and St. Albert the Great Catholic School in Huntingdon Valley, PA.
Robert was a former member of the Brothers of Charity in Laverock, PA.
In addition to his wife, Robert is survived by his Rottweiler, Teddy.
Services and interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
Robert J. Cunningham, 76, of Auburn, passed away Thursday, July 31st at home.
Born in Philadelphia on October 24th, 1948, he was the son of the late Delores (Jankiewicz) and Earl O. Cunningham.
Married 50 years, Robert was the husband of Rosemarie A. (Wholey).
Robert received his Master’s Degree in Administration from Villanova University.
He was employed as a principal at the Archdioceses of Philadelphia Schools and St. Albert the Great Catholic School in Huntingdon Valley, PA.
Robert was a former member of the Brothers of Charity in Laverock, PA.
In addition to his wife, Robert is survived by his Rottweiler, Teddy.
Services and interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
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Born on September 12, 1933 in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late William and Esther Jenkins Smith.
Dolores was a devoted mother and homemaker before working at the former Canoe Mfg., Pine Grove as a presser and inspector. She later was a receptionist at Hershey Medical Center.
She was a 1951 graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School.
She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Pine Grove.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Anson "Jack" Thomas Kramer; a sister, Mary Doran and a brother, William Smith.
Surviving are a son, Brian and wife Cindy Kramer of Pawleys Island, S.C.; two daughters, Debra and husband Scott Wetzel of Pine Grove; Jane and husband Jerry Hawn of Alexandra, VA; four grandchildren, Andrew and wife Stacy Kramer, Alex and wife Dana Kramer, both of Winter Garden, FL, Matthew Wetzel, Mallory and husband Ezra Yeaton, both of Alexandra, VA; five great grandchildren, Drew Kramer, Taylor Kramer, Avery Kramer, Leo Yeaton, Bella Yeaton; a brother, Robert Smith of Schuylkill Haven.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. from the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, with Pastor Barry Spatz officiating. There will be a viewing on Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 9:30 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org/memorial or to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 19 E. Pottsville St., P. O. Box 68, Pine Grove, PA 17963.
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Ann M. Brommer, 52, of Schneck Dr., Pine Grove, passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025 in Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon.
Born on March 3, 1973 in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late Dennis L. and Linda M. Herring Wolfe.
She was a 1991 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School.
Ann was a Notary for Pine Grove Auto.
She was affiliated with Jacob's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove.
Preceding her in death was a brother, Robert Wolfe.
Surviving are a son, Kyle Rhein and life partner Brittany Wolff, a daughter, Kaitlyn Brommer and companion James Rodgers, Sr; four grandchildren, Axton and Hailey Rhein, James Jr. and Skylar Rodgers; two brothers, her twin Michael Wolfe of Greenville, S.C., Richard and wife Jessica Wolfe of Pine Grove; nieces and nephews.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions for funeral expenses be made to the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., 139 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, PA 17963 in her memory.
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Barbara L. Hikes, 79, of Waterfall Rd., Pine Grove, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025 in Schuylkill Center, Pottsville.
Born on November 9, 1945 in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late Marlin "Pete" and Nancy Zimmerman Zimmerman.
She was a 1963 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School and also graduated from Empire Beauty School in Pottsville.
Barbara worked in the Pine Grove Area Middle School Cafeteria as a Food Server.
She attended the former Pine Grove Wesleyan Church, now GroveLife Wesleyan Church.
Surviving are her husband of 60 years, David Hikes; a son, Randall and wife Martha Hikes; and a sister, Susan Zimmerman, all of Pine Grove.
All Services were held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to GroveLife Wesleyan Church, 74 Bethel Rd. Pine Grove, PA 17963 in her memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements.
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Richard Hornbeck, Jr., 56, of Tamaqua, died on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at his residence. He was a son of Margaret (Trudich) Fish and the late Richard Hornbeck, Sr. Richard attended Tamaqua Area High School and worked as a cook for many years at his mother’s diner, Maggie’s Kitchen, in West Penn Township.
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He enjoyed being a DJ and was known locally as “DJ Rich”.
Richard is survived by two daughters, Stormi Jane Hornbeck of Tamaqua and Sierra Mikayla Nichols of Georgia; two granddaughters, Mikayla Jane Nichols and Addilynn May Nichols; his mother, Margaret Fish of Cumbola; three brothers, Ronald Pratt of Lehighton, Earl Pratt of West Penn Township, and Mike Hornbeck of Clamtown; one sister, Betty Bauder of Cumbola; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Hornbeck, Sr., and a stepfather, William Fish.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be made towards the cost of the funeral in care of 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.
Robert Keys, 68, a former resident of the Levittown area, currently a guest at the Shenandoah Manor Senior Living Community, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Bob was born in Levittown on August 4, 1956, a son of the late Henry and Alice (Diamond) Keys.
After high school, he went on to work in the home construction industry, first becoming a master plumber, then moved on to being self employed in the roofing and siding business.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Michael.
Bob is survived by his son, Jason and his wife Ailene, along with their two daughters, Thea and Nora.
He is also survived by two sisters, Terry, wife of Ted Ambrose and Susan, wife of Howie Tuttle. Three brothers also survive, Jack Keys and wife Beth; Andy Keys and wife Delia and Tommy Keys, along with nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the near future to honor Bob.
Services for Bob's family are being provided by the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home in Ringtown.
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Robert Keys, 68, a former resident of the Levittown area, currently a guest at the Shenandoah Manor Senior Living Community, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Bob was born in Levittown on August 4, 1956, a son of the late Henry and Alice (Diamond) Keys.
After high school, he went on to work in the home construction industry, first becoming a master plumber, then moved on to being self employed in the roofing and siding business.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Michael.
Bob is survived by his son, Jason and his wife Ailene, along with their two daughters, Thea and Nora.
He is also survived by two sisters, Terry, wife of Ted Ambrose and Susan, wife of Howie Tuttle. Three brothers also survive, Jack Keys and wife Beth; Andy Keys and wife Delia and Tommy Keys, along with nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the near future to honor Bob.
Services for Bob's family are being provided by the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home in Ringtown.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
