Skook News Obituaries: August 29th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Germany, on December 21, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Werner and Hildegard (Woitjowiak) Press. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a son Christopher Galuska.
Barbel made her home in Pennsylvania, where she built a life centered around family, friends, and fashion. She served as manager of the Ladies Sportswear Department at Boscov's, in Pottsville, a role she cherished for many years. Her eye for style, warmth with customers, and dedication to her work left a lasting impression on all who knew her.
Barbel was a member of the Lutheran Church and a proud member of the German Club where she enjoyed celebrating her heritage and spending time with others in the community.
She is survived by her son Robert John Galuska and his wife Christine of Tamaqua, her beloved grandson Robert John Galuska II, and his wife Chelsey of Lombard, IL, and her brother Jurgen Press of Germany.
Relatives are invited to a memorial service at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon on Thursday September 4th at 11AM, with Pastor Jack Murray officiating.
Relatives are invited to visit with her family from 10am till time of service at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Holy Family Cemetery, New Philadelphia.
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Born in Reading, PA on August 19, 1949, he was the son of the late John Czarnecki and Josephine Burns.
John enlisted in the Marine Corp after graduating high school. He worked as a operator and foreman at Hood and Company in Hamburg. John was a member of various organizations in Palo Alto and he was an avid pool shooter and past captain of the Citizen's Fire Company pool team. He was a devoted Philadelphia Eagles fan and also loved to play cornhole, darts, and go fishing. John was always involved with his family and made every occasion special and was very proud of his granddaughters and bragged about them. He was always helping everyone and anyone in need and always liked making them laugh.
John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia (LaPlaca) Czarnecki; two daughters: Danielle Laubenstine and her husband Karl and Nicole Czarnecki and her companion Josh Miller; two granddaughters: Oliva Laubenstine and her companion Randy Brown and Emily Laubenstine. He also had seven siblings.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon at 6:30PM on Tuesday, September 2nd.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Tuesday evening from 5:30-6:30PM at the Funeral Home.
Interment will be held private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Citizen's Fire Company 139 West Bacon Street Pottsville, PA 17901.
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He was born in Portland, Maine, and attended Portland public schools. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip and Hazel (Kenny) Fillmore, and several siblings.
He is survived by his brother Charlie, niece Michelle, and cousins Anthony and Helen, with whom he shared a special bond, enjoying daily conversations and keeping up with their lives.
For 35 years, Robert made Pennsylvania his home, living with his best friends and caregivers, Jack and Pamela McTiernan, in Frackville, whom he dearly missed after their passing. In recent years, he resided in Barnesville with his “niece” and caregivers, Krissy and PJ Wonsock, who provided him with love and companionship.
He was a beloved figure in the Wonsock and McTiernan households, always welcomed with open arms and treated with kindness, conversation, compassion, and laughter.
Though Robert faced challenges due to his limitations, he found joy in the simple pleasures of life. Whether enjoying a hot cup of coffee, a couple of cookies, rocking on the porch, petting Krissy’s cats and dogs, or listening to Bon Jovi on Alexa, Robert embraced each moment with a warm spirit. He also cherished his daily phone calls with family, which were a source of comfort and connection.
Robert will be remembered for his gentle nature, his love for those around him, and the quiet joy he found in life’s everyday moments.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Mahanoy City, is in charge of arrangements. Visit truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book and send sympathy cards.
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Richard E. Sterner, 87, of Orwigsburg passed away at his home on Thursday.
Born in Pottsville, he was the son of the late Carl and Mary Sarvas Sterner.
Richard was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School. He was a veteran of the United States Army.
Richard was the owner and operator of Haven Home Furnishings for many years.
He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven.
He is survived by his loving wife, the former Virginia Blakely.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister Dolores Heiser and brother Robert Sterner.
In addition to his wife, Richard is survived by sister Rosemary Biever and brother Carl W. Sterner husband to Karen. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 5th at 11:00 A.M. at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven. Family and friends are welcome from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. Interment with military honors will follow on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 252 Dock Street, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhomes.com
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Valley Hospital Cedar Crest. His passing was the result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on August 2, 2025.
Patrick was a proud graduate of St. Clair High School and described himself affectionately as "happily retired."
In his later years, he remained deeply connected to his community through family, friendships, and the small-town roots he held dear. He was a lifelong member of the St. Clair Fish and Game Club, valuing the traditions it represented.
Even in his passing, Patrick gave the gift of life to others through the donation of his retinas and skin tissue, saving and improving the lives of those in need. His generosity and selflessness will continue to touch lives for years to come.
Patrick is survived by his companion, Barb Hinchey, daughter Pamela Hashin, 2 grandchildren and siblings Dennis, Diane, Edward, Bonnie, and Maureen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Margaret Davie, sister Kathleen Gudinas, and other family members who went before him.
A memorial service honoring Patrick's life will be held at the James H. Evans Funeral Home, Inc., St. Clair on Saturday, September 6th at 11:00AM with Deacon John Setlock, officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10:00AM-11:00AM at the funeral home on Saturday morning. Interment will be at St. Casimir's Cemetery in Port Carbon. If interested, Patrick's family asks that any donations be made to the Gift of Life Philadelphia 401 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
Patrick will be remembered for his warm spirit, his love for his community, and his ability to give to others, even in his final act. James H. Evans Funeral Home, Inc., St. Clair is entrusted with arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
