Skook News Obituaries: July 8th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Ravine, September 17, 1943, he was the son of the late William and Edith Williams Dzurek.
Bill was a 1961 graduate of Blue Mountain Area High School.
He operated several businesses throughout his life. He was the owner and operator of Dzurek Appliances.
Bill was married to the former Donna Stokes on October 21, 1962.
In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his daughter Sheryl Dzurek Faust who passed away in 2020.
In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by daughter, Lynn Dzurek-Shoener of Schuylkill Haven, John W. Dzurek husband to Cara of Reading, Donald J. Dzurek of Orwigsburg and Michael W. Dzurek husband to Jessica of New Ringgold. He is also survived by grandchildren, Ryan, Bryn, Veronnica, Sierra, Cheyenne, Christian, Michael, Andrew, William, Lyvia, and Alexa. He is also survived by great grandchildren; Victoria, Vanessa, Mason, Jace, Kaden, and Zoey.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Grabowski Funeral Home is entrusted with services. Interment will be held later on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhomes.com
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Barbara was born in Pottsville on November 1, 1945, a daughter of the late Emil & Ruth (Valinksy) Umberger.
Married nearly 41 years, she was the loving wife of Roy M. Faust.
She was a graduate of Nativity BVM High School.
Of the Christian faith, Barbara attended Tri-County Worship Center, Bethel, with her husband.
In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her daughter, Yvonne Kubich.
In addition to her husband, Barbara is also survived by her son, Kevin Kubich, husband of Terrie, Auburn, step-daughter, Amy Jordan, Waynesboro, PA, granddaughters: Meckenzie Rhianna Kubic, & Madison Rose Kubich, great-granddaughter, Sophia Violet Dissinger, her siblings: Shirley Blankenhorn, wife of Glenn, & Cathy Heim, all of Cressona, Carol "Teenie" Lewars, and husband, Donald, Bethlehem, & Edward Umberger, husband of Doris, Friedensburg, brother-in-law, Daniel Faust, Friedensburg, sisters-in-law: Alice Ricketson, Pottsville, Carlene Faust, Friedensburg, Rose Athas, Reading, & Sue Gerber, Port Carbon, and several nieces & nephews.
Barbara loved nature, watching wildlife-especially hummingbirds, and gardening.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, July 12th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven with Pastor Ted Williams officiating. A Viewing will be held from 9 AM until the time of service.
Interment will follow at Auburn Church of God.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barbara’s name may be made to Tri-County Worship Center 1501 Schubert Rd, Bethel, PA 19507.
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EJ was the son of the late Edward J. Lucyk and Lucy Lucyk. EJ was married to the late Patricia Guinan of Mahanoy City. He was preceded in death by his sister, Loretta Lieberman. He is survived by his two children, Matthew and Tara, son-in-law, Todd, grandchildren, Lucy and Margaux, brother Dan and nieces.
EJ graduated from St. Casimir’s Parochial School, Mahanoy City and Mahanoy Area High School. He then graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1964 and served eight years on active duty with the U.S. Army, including two tours of duty as Captain in the Republic of Vietnam from 1965 to 1966 and 1969 to 1970. He earned a Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. While in the service, he attended and graduated from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and was awarded a master’s degree in business administration. EJ was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1980 and served 11 terms, including as Democratic Chairman of the House Veteran Affairs Committee and Democratic Chairman of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee.
EJ was an outstanding high school football player, named First Team UPI-All State Center and to the Pennsylvania Big 33 Team.
EJ was a hero to all he supported and a treasure to his community. In retirement, his favorite activities were fishing on his boat, spending time with his grandchildren, hanging at the American Legion and being with his best friend, his dog, Mia.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated by the Rev. Robert Finlan on Saturday morning at 11 AM from St. Richard's Church in Barnesville. Military honors will be rendered at the church immediately after Mass.
Friends may call at the church beginning at 9 AM. Contributions in his name the Mahanoy City Public Library or American Legion Post 74 would be appreciated by the family and will be accepted at the visitation.
Thomas (Tom) A. McPhillips, Jr., 55, of Pottsville, PA, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 6, 2025. He was born in Harrisburg, PA, on October 23, 1969. He was the son of the late Thomas A. McPhillips, Sr., and Georgene R. McPhillips.
Surviving is his wife of 27 years, Janeyl (Wiley) McPhillips; two children: son Quinn McPhillips (fiancée Madison Shemansky) of Pittsburgh, PA, and daughter Rileigh McPhillips of West Chester, PA; and sister Kathleen McPhillips of Pottsville, PA.
He was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School and The Pennsylvania State University.
Tom was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, Pottsville.
He was employed by Lehigh Valley Health Network (formerly Pottsville Hospital and The Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center) for over 20 years, most recently serving as Director of Human Resources for the West Region.
Tom was a loving husband, father, brother, and uncle. He had a dry sense of humor, and teasing his family members was a favorite pastime of his. Tom enjoyed spending time with his family and taking beach vacations to the Outer Banks, NC. He enjoyed trying new recipes and cooking, as well as grilling for his family. He was an avid Penn State football fan and a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. He was also a golf fan and attended the most recent US Open in Pittsburgh, PA. He loved Bruce Springsteen and saw him in concert whenever possible.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, July 15th, at 11:00 AM in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Pottsville.
Friends and family are invited to call at the church from 9:00 AM till the time of the Mass.
Instead of flowers, the family would prefer contributions, in memory of Tom, be made to a relief fund for employees and patients in need at Lehigh Valley Hospital Schuylkill. Please make checks payable to LVH Schuylkill, 700 E Norwegian St., Pottsville, PA 17901, Attention: Diane Boris.
Regina Karpovich, 96, of Shenandoah, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Shenandoah Heights.
Born in Shenandoah on April 17, 1929, Regina (Jean) was a daughter of the late Joseph & Mary Kaminski Karpovich.
Regina attended the former St. George Elementary School, Shenandoah and was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
She worked at Swift Meat Packing and as a retired garment worker, having last been employed at the former Alma Dress Co., Shenandoah. She was a member of the ILGWU.
Regina was a devout member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah, formerly St. George Church, Shenandoah. Her favorite hobby was being a seamstress.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were eight brothers: Henry Karr, Leonard, Joseph, Leon, John, Thomas, Robert, and Ronald Karpovich, and two sisters, Arlene and Anna Mae Karpovich.
Surviving are one brother, Daniel Karpovich of Shenandoah and one sister, Sister Marilyn Karpovich, a member of the Sisters of St. Casimir of Chicago, IL and now living in Lemont, IL; three sisters-in-law, Georgianna (husband, Thomas, deceased) Karpovich of Doylestown, PA, Hazel (husband Robert, deceased) Karpovich of Dothan, AL, and Ruth (husband, Ronald, deceased) Karpovich of Lady Lake, FL; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Thursday, July 17th at 10 AM in Divine Mercy Church, 232 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah. Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor, will officiate. Internment will follow in Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A visitation will be held in Divine Mercy Church on Thursday morning from 9:30-10 AM.
The Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah, is in care of the arrangements.
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Surviving is his wife of 27 years, Janeyl (Wiley) McPhillips; two children: son Quinn McPhillips (fiancée Madison Shemansky) of Pittsburgh, PA, and daughter Rileigh McPhillips of West Chester, PA; and sister Kathleen McPhillips of Pottsville, PA.
He was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School and The Pennsylvania State University.
Tom was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, Pottsville.
He was employed by Lehigh Valley Health Network (formerly Pottsville Hospital and The Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center) for over 20 years, most recently serving as Director of Human Resources for the West Region.
Tom was a loving husband, father, brother, and uncle. He had a dry sense of humor, and teasing his family members was a favorite pastime of his. Tom enjoyed spending time with his family and taking beach vacations to the Outer Banks, NC. He enjoyed trying new recipes and cooking, as well as grilling for his family. He was an avid Penn State football fan and a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. He was also a golf fan and attended the most recent US Open in Pittsburgh, PA. He loved Bruce Springsteen and saw him in concert whenever possible.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, July 15th, at 11:00 AM in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Pottsville.
Friends and family are invited to call at the church from 9:00 AM till the time of the Mass.
Instead of flowers, the family would prefer contributions, in memory of Tom, be made to a relief fund for employees and patients in need at Lehigh Valley Hospital Schuylkill. Please make checks payable to LVH Schuylkill, 700 E Norwegian St., Pottsville, PA 17901, Attention: Diane Boris.
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Regina Karpovich, 96, of Shenandoah, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Ridgeview Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Shenandoah Heights.
Born in Shenandoah on April 17, 1929, Regina (Jean) was a daughter of the late Joseph & Mary Kaminski Karpovich.
Regina attended the former St. George Elementary School, Shenandoah and was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah.
She worked at Swift Meat Packing and as a retired garment worker, having last been employed at the former Alma Dress Co., Shenandoah. She was a member of the ILGWU.
Regina was a devout member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah, formerly St. George Church, Shenandoah. Her favorite hobby was being a seamstress.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were eight brothers: Henry Karr, Leonard, Joseph, Leon, John, Thomas, Robert, and Ronald Karpovich, and two sisters, Arlene and Anna Mae Karpovich.
Surviving are one brother, Daniel Karpovich of Shenandoah and one sister, Sister Marilyn Karpovich, a member of the Sisters of St. Casimir of Chicago, IL and now living in Lemont, IL; three sisters-in-law, Georgianna (husband, Thomas, deceased) Karpovich of Doylestown, PA, Hazel (husband Robert, deceased) Karpovich of Dothan, AL, and Ruth (husband, Ronald, deceased) Karpovich of Lady Lake, FL; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Thursday, July 17th at 10 AM in Divine Mercy Church, 232 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah. Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian, Pastor, will officiate. Internment will follow in Our Lady of Fatima Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights. A visitation will be held in Divine Mercy Church on Thursday morning from 9:30-10 AM.
The Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah, is in care of the arrangements.
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Rita was born on January 15, 1970 in Pottsville, a daughter of the late Joesph E. Chambers and Catherine (O'Neill) Chambers, and spent her early years growing up in the Wadesville area. She was a 1989 graduate of the St. Clair High School and also attended the North Schuylkill AVTS, where she studied marketing. Throughout her lifetime, Rita was an avid dog mom.
Rita is survived by three children, a daughter Holly Pakosky and two sons, Luke and Tyler, along with an extended family of relatives and friends.
She will be laid to rest next to her mother, Catherine O'Neill Chambers and her family who preceded her in the Annunciation BVM Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights, during private services which are being provided by the Walukiewicz Oravitz Fell Funeral Home of Shenandoah.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
