Skook News Obituaries: September 17th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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David C. James, 84, former resident of Palo Alto, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 16th at the home of his granddaughter in Frackville.
Born in Frackville, he was a son of the late David and Thelma (Kline) James. He last worked as a cook for Pottsville Hospital until his retirement.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Betty James; his sisters: Shirley Sewinsky and Doris Roberts; his brothers: Lester, Burwell, Melvin and Arthur James.
David was a veteran of the United States Army having served from 1961 to 1964. He then joined the Army National Guard until his retirement in February of 2001.
He was a member of the Altamont Fire Company, Frackville and also enjoyed Nascar and wood carving.
David is survived by his two sons, one daughter, four grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, September 22nd at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington Street, Frackville. Interment with military honors will follow at Sky View Memorial Park, Hometown.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville, is in charge of arrangements.
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Born in Pottsville, Wendy was the daughter of the late Wendell and Adeline (Main) Weicker. A 1969 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, she worked as a clerk at Fegley’s in Tamaqua and later as a machine operator at Morgan Knitting Mills, retiring in 2001. Wendy enjoyed playing bingo, her trips to the casino and was a proud, active member of the Tamaqua American Legion Auxiliary. She lovingly gave of her time to the weekly Tamaqua American Legion bingo and the South Ward Playground and later cherished the friendships and fellowship she found at senior citizen events. Wendy was known for her exceptional baking skills and her deep devotion to her family—and to her three cherished Labrador retrievers.
She is survived by her loving husband, Midge, and their four daughters: Wendy Seigenfuse and her husband Joseph of Tamaqua; Angela Kovatch and her husband Joseph Jr. of Nesquehoning; Sandra Perla and her companion Robert Cole of State College; and Melanie Murray and her husband Brian of Tamaqua. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Nicholas Boyle and his companion Sarah Allesch, Courtney Kovatch, Caitlyn Kovatch, and Ava Murray; two great-grandchildren, Brinley Boyle, and Reagan Boyle; her sister, Linda Correll of Hazleton; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her beloved family, she was blessed with two bonus grandchildren, Timmy Merrell and Katie Wildrick, who brought her much joy.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Maylath Valley Home Health and Hospice, especially Nurse Tina, and aides Joelle and Virgin for the compassionate care and support they provided.
Services will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, with The Rev. Dillon Epler officiating. Call 9-11 AM on Wednesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Wendy’s memory may be made to the Tamaqua American Legion Auxiliary, 206 West Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252 or to Tamaqua Area Animal Rescue, 345 East Elm Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252.
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Judy Yanes, 85, of Schuylkill Township, died on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at her residence. She was the wife of Richard “Dick” Yanes with whom she would have celebrated 64 years of marriage this coming November.
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Born in Coaldale, Judy was the daughter of the late Francis and Jane (Coleman) Pollack. She graduated third in her class from Tamaqua High School in 1958. Judy started working at Carl Baran Motors in Hometown as a bookkeeper and was later employed as the office manager at the Heritage Ford Dealership in Orwigsburg for 34 years. She was a member of the Holy Cross Church in New Philadelphia.
Judy is survived by her husband, Richard Yanes; two daughters, Nicole Andrefski and her husband Chip of Orwigsburg and Nora Best and her husband Michael of Gibsonia, PA; one son, Mark Yanes and his companion Lavinia of Womelsdorf, PA; eight grandchildren, Maeve Yanes, Emalyn Andrefski and her fiancé Michael Sinitsky, Leah Andrefski, Olivia Wingle and her husband Kyle, Ian Andrefski, Cole Andrefski, Shannon Best, and Shea Best; three great-grandchildren, Michael Sinitsky, Charlotte Wingle, and Wren Wingle; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Francis, and Jane; one sister, Mary Rudy, and one granddaughter, Mary Frances Andrefski. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, September 27, 2025, in Holy Cross Catholic Church, 99 Valley Street, New Philadelphia. Interment in St. Bertha Cemetery, Tuscarora, PA will follow the Mass. Call 9:30-11 AM on Saturday in the church.
Memorial contributions in Judy’s name may be made to St. Joseph Center for Special Learning, 302 Randel Street, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Edward A. Palek, Sr. 91, of Shenandoah passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the Seton Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Orwigsburg, PA. Born in William Penn, PA on January 16, 1934, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Varonko) Palek.
Ed was a 1951 graduate of the West Mahanoy Township High School and went on to serve in the United States Army, 3rd Armored Division in Germany. Following his military service, Ed returned to Shenandoah and worked his entire life as a Master Cutter in the garment industry, being last employed by Villa Fashions, Shenandoah. Ed also held a few part-time and retirement jobs in town as he worked for the Shenandoah Water Department and Boyer’s Food Market.
A true family man and role model, Ed was most notably known for his lifelong passion for baseball and his dedication to the Shenandoah Little League. For 56 years, Ed influenced several generations while serving in many capacities including coach, manager, player agent, vice president, umpire, and groundskeeper; along with managing the concession stand for 30 years. In 2017, surrounded by family and friends, Ed was humbled as that concession stand was dedicated in his honor and named after him.
In addition to his parents, Ed is preceded in death by an infant son, Stephen; his brothers- Frank, Andrew, and Joseph; and his sisters- Helen Palek, Margaret Oravitz, Dorothy Palek, and Theresa Banonis.
Ed is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marianne (Peters) Palek; his children- Michelle Olivier (Dale) of Niles, Michigan, Linda Maberry (Don) of Cressona, PA, and Edward Palek, Jr. (Angela) of South Lyon, Michigan: his step-children- Donald Blaine Young, Jr. (Deann) of Summit Station, PA, Kathy Marinelli (Bill) of Orwigsburg, PA, and Andrea Young of Frackville, PA; 10 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025 from 6 to 8 pm at the Oravitz Home for Funerals, Inc, 40 North Jardin Street, Shenandoah, PA. Burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Ed’s memory to the Shenandoah Little League. Go Phillies!
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Ed was a 1951 graduate of the West Mahanoy Township High School and went on to serve in the United States Army, 3rd Armored Division in Germany. Following his military service, Ed returned to Shenandoah and worked his entire life as a Master Cutter in the garment industry, being last employed by Villa Fashions, Shenandoah. Ed also held a few part-time and retirement jobs in town as he worked for the Shenandoah Water Department and Boyer’s Food Market.
A true family man and role model, Ed was most notably known for his lifelong passion for baseball and his dedication to the Shenandoah Little League. For 56 years, Ed influenced several generations while serving in many capacities including coach, manager, player agent, vice president, umpire, and groundskeeper; along with managing the concession stand for 30 years. In 2017, surrounded by family and friends, Ed was humbled as that concession stand was dedicated in his honor and named after him.
In addition to his parents, Ed is preceded in death by an infant son, Stephen; his brothers- Frank, Andrew, and Joseph; and his sisters- Helen Palek, Margaret Oravitz, Dorothy Palek, and Theresa Banonis.
Ed is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marianne (Peters) Palek; his children- Michelle Olivier (Dale) of Niles, Michigan, Linda Maberry (Don) of Cressona, PA, and Edward Palek, Jr. (Angela) of South Lyon, Michigan: his step-children- Donald Blaine Young, Jr. (Deann) of Summit Station, PA, Kathy Marinelli (Bill) of Orwigsburg, PA, and Andrea Young of Frackville, PA; 10 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025 from 6 to 8 pm at the Oravitz Home for Funerals, Inc, 40 North Jardin Street, Shenandoah, PA. Burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Ed’s memory to the Shenandoah Little League. Go Phillies!
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
