Skook News Obituaries: August 9th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Josie was born in Tamaqua, PA on November 4, 1949, a daughter of the late Mae (Kissler) and Frank Navratil.
She attended Tamaqua School District. She was employed by Eagle Brothers where she worked until she dedicated her life to her husband, family and pets.
She was a member of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish Mahanoy City.
Josie enjoyed caring for her flowers and dog (Sammy). She loved to cook and bake and was known for her generosity and kindness toward others. Most of all, she loved her family.
She was the wife of John Honus Sr for 55 years.
Josie is survived by her two sons John Jr, husband of Mellissa Honus of Barnesville and Matthew Honus, of Mahanoy City; one sister, June Navratil, of Mahanoy City; a brother, Frank Navratil, husband of Lynn Navratil, of Mahanoy City; sister-in-law Carol Kalista, wife of Joe Kalista, of Barnesville.
She is also survived by 2 Grandchildren Caitlin and Carly Honus. Nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by a brother, Robert Navratil.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Mahanoy City, PA, at 11 AM on Thursday, August 14th, with Monsignor William Glosser officiating.
Friends and family may call Thursday 9am to 11am at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish.
Interment private at convenience of the Family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of Josie’s favorite charities,
Kids Wish Network, Wounded Warrior or The Hillside SPCA.
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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Born on April 1, 1935 in South Fork, PA, she was a daughter of the late Robert L. and Julia Lyden Haney.
She was a member of the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, Tremont. She had been very active in her church, belonging to the Bernadette Guild, and helping to run bingo, spaghetti dinners and silent auctions.
Virginia was an Aide and Custodian for the Pine Grove Area School District.
She and her husband Vincent were very involved with the P.G.A. football and wrestling boosters. You could always find them serving food at the football camp from 1972-1983. Anyone who played football will always remember Mr. and Mrs. Witherow. Most of the time, they were busy running to pick up the food for the concession stand for both football and wrestling. Virginia was also a den leader for Cub Scouts and was also active in Girl Scouts.
Virginia married the love of her life, Vincent on April 19, 1954, and they celebrated almost 69 years of marriage prior to his death on March 30, 2023. Also preceding her in death were a sister, Agnes Naugle and four brothers, Robert, Charles, Thomas and Kenneth Haney.
Surviving are two daughters, Jacqueline Boughter of Lebanon, Jean and husband David Degler of Reading; four sons, James and wife Linda Witherow, Joseph and wife Donna Witherow, Jeffrey and wife Frances Witherow, Jerry and wife Missy Witherow, all of Pine Grove; 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; two sisters, Roberta Vasbinder of Sidman, PA and Rosemary Zimmerman of Minnesota; nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, 113 Cherry St., Tremont. There will be a viewing on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove. Interment will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, 113 Cherry St., Tremont, PA 17981 in her memory.
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Sandra J. (Sandy) Freeman, 77, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Wednesday, August 6th, at her residence, surrounded by her family.
Sandra was born in Pottsville, on September 8, 1947, a daughter of the late Pearl K. (Hoffman) and Daniel R. Stein.
She was the widow of James H. Freeman, Jr. and she was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg.
She graduated from Blue Mountain High School in 1965 and then served in the U.S. Air Force as a Sgt. in the Vietnam War.
She worked as a Deli Clerk at Moyer Dutch Market
Sandra is survived by her daughter, Melodie Wildermuth, companion of Christopher Sullivan and a sons,David M. Kriner, and Patrick Freeman, husband of Alana.
Sandra is also survived by four brothers, Richard Stein, husband of Lynn; Lowell Stein, husband of Barbara ; Darrel Stein and Curt Stein, Companion Melissa Booth.
Sandra is also survived by her Grandchildren Kaitlyn & Allison Wildermuth and great granddaughters Chloe Mae Wildermuth and Zahra Jayde Barr.
She was predeceased by her brother David Stein, husband of Jean.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 156, Orwigsburg, PA 17961.
Private services will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.
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He was born on Monday, April 6, 1970, in Pottsville, a son of Marlin R Shade and Sandra L (Kroh) Shade of Sacramento.
He was a 1988 graduate of Tri-Valley High School and a 1992 graduate of Bucknell University.
Jason was a pharmaceutical representative.
He was a member of Valley Lodge FandAM Lodge 797, Valley View.
Surviving in addition to his parents are two sisters, Angela (Eric) Mattern of Berrysburg and Marla (William) Wiest of Hebe; two nieces, two nephews, and two great nephews.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Fearnot.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
