Skook News Obituaries: September 21st, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Nelson P. Breisch, age 86, of Cumbola, PA passed away Thursday, September 18th, 2025 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Born in Pottsville, PA on April 18, 1939, he was the son of the late Roland and Margaret (Reynolds) Breisch.
Nelson was a graduate of Blythe Township High School, Class 1957, where he was a standout football, basketball, and baseball player. He worked for the Sheet Metal Local 19 and was a member of the Cumbola Methodist Church, and the oldest member of both the Cumbola Hose Company and the Schoentown Vets. Nelson was an avid Philadelphia sports fan having Eagles season tickets for over 50 years. He was also an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and golfing.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Helen E. (Wassel) Breisch, a sister Naomi Mataka, and brothers: infant baby Roland, Charles, and Allen Breisch.
Nelson is survived by son Nelson J. Breisch (Linda); two daughters: Pamela H. Breisch and Robin L. Pavlick (Sam); three grandsons: Drew Pavlick and Matthew and Kevin Breisch; a granddaughter: Sarah Pavlick; three brothers: William, Kenneth, and Robert Breisch; and nieces and nephews.
A Religious Service will be held at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon at 12:45PM on Wednesday, September 24th, with Pastor Lorraine Heckman officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing on Wednesday from 11AM till time of services at the Funeral Home.
Interment will be held in the Schuylkill Memorial Park Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cumbola Methodist Church Market Street Cumbola, PA 17930.
Stephanie Chmel, of Coaldale, died on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, in Hometown. She was the beloved wife of the late Andrew Chmel, with whom she shared 48 years of marriage until his passing in 1991.
He was born on Saturday, May 2, 1942, in Rough And Ready, a son of the late Harry A Stiely and the late Evelyn (Klinger Stiely.
He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War.
Donald was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2385, Gratz, and a member of the Mahantongo Fire Company.
He lived for working on his tractors and working in the shop. You would never see him without a hot cup of coffee. His favorite thing to do was spend time with his family including his grandchildren.
His wife, Linda L (Reed) Stiely, passed away in 1997. He was also preceded in death by fifteen siblings.
He is survived by a son, Corey A (Amanda) Stiely of Millersburg; a daughter, Tina E (Franklin) King of Pitman, seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two brothers, Paul Stiely of Leck Kill, and Robert Wert of Halifax; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc, Valley View, on Monday, September 29, 2025, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Mark Rothermel officiating.
A viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday at the funeral home.
Burial with Military Honors will be in Salem Cemetery, Rough and Ready.
Bart was born in Philadelphia on November 5, 1939. His parents were St. Elmo Maurice Philipps and Dorothy Kennedy Philipps.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kimberly Philipps Moore.
He is survived by his wife Alberta (Bobbi) Kline Philipps, a son Barton Philipps (Barb), a daughter Susan Philipps Hoover (Chris). He has 3 grand-daughters and 1 grandson. They are Jennifer Doran (Patrick), Amanda Philipps (Joe), Hollis Philipps, Zachary Hoover. And two great-grandchildren, Thomas Doran and Allison Doran, a sister-in-law Joan H. Kline, Brentwood, N.Y. As well as Nieces and Nephews, Nicole McGarth (Ed) Salisbury, NC; Meredith King (Kevin) High Point, NC; Melinda Linville(John), Dorothy, NJ; Alyse Leatherwood (Kevin) NJ; James Grouse, Ocean City, Nj.
Bart began his education at Friends Select School, Philadelphia where he developed a lifelong friendship with a classmate, John Bugary, Philadelphia. From there he earned a B.S.Ed and an M.Ed from Shippensburg University and a PhD. from the University of Iowa. In addition, he was awarded 3 National Science Foundation grants for the University of Northern Arizona, Auburn University and the University of Iowa.
His professional experience included teaching at Shippensburg Jr. H.S., William Penn H.S., Harrisburg, Dean of students, William Penn, Hbg., teaching assistant Univ. of Iowa, Principal at the following; Johnsonburg H.S., Johnsonburg, PA, Upper Dauphin Middle School , Lykens PA, North Schuykil H.S., Ashland, PA., Alt Ed, Berks Co., Vison Quest, South Mt., Pa., Adjunct professor, Alvernia College, Reading, PA., Torah Academy, Ardmore, PA, Adjunct professor of Biology Central PA College, Enola, PA, Adjunct professor Biology Harrisburg Community College, PA.
In addition, he taught for the Navy Afloat through Central Texas College. Bart ended his career as a substitute teacher for the Millersburg School District where the students knew him as "Dr. Bart".
He published 12 articles and books, was a speaker/ instructor 23 times.
Community activities included: Rotary, U.S.Coast Guard Auxiliary, member and past president of the Upper Dauphin Shrine Club, Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce-leadership committee., Boy Scout leader, Robert Burns Lodge, Harrisburg Consistory, and Zembo Temple. He was long time member of Market Square Presbyterian Church Harrisburg, and was associated with Reigles Church, Millersburg.
After retiring he wrote and distributed over 125 one-page articles on the Christian faith.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 26, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Minnich Funeral Home in Millersburg, followed by a Masonic Ceremony and Funeral service beginning at 4:00 p.m. Interment will take place afterward, with a dinner to follow at Reigle's Church.
Arrangements are being cared for by the staff of Minnich Funeral. We are honored to serve this family at our Hoover-Boyer Funeral Home, Ltd., Millersburg/Elizabethville location.
