Skook News Obituaries: September 4th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Pottsville on February 26, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Florence V. (Russell) and Hugh K. Blakeslee.
Betty was the wife of the late Samuel Noecker, Sr.
She was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven High School.
Betty was a homemaker for most of her life.
She was a member of Steigerwalts Church of God, New Ringgold.
Betty is survived by 12 children: Venetta Kramer (Scott); Michelle Kimmel (Jason); Faith Noecker; Russell Noecker (Audrey); Miriam Noecker; William Noecker (Teresa); Joyce Noecker (Ron); Charles Noecker (Norma); Virginia Viars (Robert); Richard Noecker (Sylvia); Florence Keeney (Eugene); Samuel Noecker (Darlene); 34 grandchildren; and 45 great grandchildren.
In addition to her husband and parents, Betty is preceded in death by a daughter, Elaine Sparrow, and grandchildren: Nickolis, Ray, Brandon, Becca, and Paul III.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 11th at the Auburn Camp, 627 South 3rd St. Auburn, PA 17922.
Interment will be held privately at the family’s convenience.
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Theresa was born in Pottsville on April 10th, 1958, a daughter of the late Benjamin and Shirley (Otterbein) Deiter.
She retired as a manager after working for many years at the Rite Aid Pharmacy. Theresa was a family person who enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Clark, and her brother Richard Deiter.
Surviving are her children Daniel Clark, Jr. of Pottsville, Sherry Clark and her fiancé Brian Kramer of Annville, and Melanie Clark of Pottsville. A brother, Kelly Deiter, two sisters, Cheryl wife of Ron Dunmoyer, and Darlene wife of Charles Mull, also survive along with five grandchildren, Sienna Clark, Anika Holmes, Asher Clark, Betty Kramer, and Rodney Kramer.
Theresa will be laid to rest alongside her husband at the Calvary Cemetery in Pottsville during private family services.
The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home is honored to assist Theresa's family during their time of need.
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Howard was born in Abington, PA on December 24, 1938, a son of the late Margaret H. (Harland) and Howard E. Speck, Sr.
He was the widower of Esther Miriam (Rebuck) Speck.
He earned his undergraduate degree at Susquehanna University and his Master's degree at Lehigh University. He attended Temple and Bucknell Universities. He belonged to Fraternity Theta Chi. He started his education teaching social studies at Bensalem High School. He was a guidance counselor for one year at Schuylkill Haven School District. He was the guidance counselor at Blue Mountain Middle School for many years and was in education for 36 years.
He was a member of St. Paul's Smoke Lutheran Church Hamburg. Howard supported his church by being in the choir and doing sermons when the minister was on vacation. He supported the Deer Lake community by helping with voter registration. Howard enjoyed genealogy, photography, and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed setting up elaborate Easter egg hunts for his whole family. Howard was a Boy Scout. He worked as a short order cook and a bus boy at Howard Johnson's on the PA turnpike. His first car at 16 was a Studebaker.
Howard is survived by two sons Jeffrey H. Speck, husband of Jennifer, of Mountain Top, PA; Robert C. Speck, husband of JoDee, of Cleona PA.
He is also survived by six grandchildren Amanda, Melanie, Rachel, Adam, Emily and Joshua; three great grandchildren Cecelia, Milo, Natalie and one great granddaughter on the way; and nieces & nephews.
In addition to his college sweetheart Esther Miriam, and his parents, Howard was also predeceased by his Aunt Jean & Uncle Al McNamara.
A Religious Service will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, September 6th at Hamilton - Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg, with Pastor Al Sones officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00.
Interment will be at St. Johns UCC Cemetery Orwigsburg, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Smoke Lutheran Church Hamburg, PA .
The family would like to offer special thanks for all the love and support that Howard received from Providence Place in Pottsville, also for the love and support from his church community at St. Paul's Smoke Lutheran Church, Hamburg.
Orwigsburg is celebrating Heritage Day. Please use caution when approaching the barricades to the funeral home and call for assistance. 570-366-0521.
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She was the widow of Marlin (Mudge) W. Berger, Jr. Mudge passed away April 30th, 2022.
Elaine was a member of First United Methodist Church, Schuylkill Haven and before retirement was employed as a Pharmacy Clerk.
Elaine is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Ulsh and husband Galen, of Schuylkill Haven, PA and her son Brent Berger and wife Kathy of Dallas, PA. Elaine is also survived by her grandchildren Zachary, Abigail and Emma Berger and
Kaitlyn Faust, as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Vernon Berk and sisters Betty Stanley and Marguerite Pruett.
A Memorial Service will be held at Saturday, September 13th at Christ Fellowship Church in Schuylkill Haven, with Minister Brian Reading officiating.
Visitation in the church will begin at 10:00 AM. Service will begin at 11 AM.
Interment will be private, at a later date at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Orwigsburg has been entrusted with arrangements.
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in St. Luke's Bethlehem, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Bettie L. (Schneider) Dawson, who passed away in 2023.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Raymond C., Hilda (Neuman) Dawson, Sr., and brother of Elaine Koernschild.
He was a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School and later graduated from Temple University.
Raymond was employed by PECO for 37 years.
He proudly served his country in the United States Army.
In his spare time Raymond enjoyed golfing and reading.
Surviving are his children: Gregg, husband of Erica Dawson of California; Raymond "Chuck", husband of Wanida of King of Prussia, PA and Karen Lynn Rafferty of Skippack, PA. In addition are his grandchildren: Zachary, Jonathan, Wynn, Megan and Maya.
Private arrangements at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550.
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Shirley G. Watcher, 89 of Pottsville, Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at home.
She was born on April 27, 1936, in Pottsville, a daughter of the late Frank and Mary Lehman Marks.
She was a member of the former 1st United Methodist Church, Minersville and was a very religious women throughout her life.
Shirley was predeceased her husband, Charles Watcher, Sr.; several siblings, Betty Morgan, Francis Marks, Freddy Marks, Edna Watcher, Billy Marks, and Helen Wetzel.
Shirley was the proud mother of three children: Debbie Conway, Llewellyn; Charles Watcher, Jr. and Rick Watcher her caregiver, both Pottsville. She took great joy in being a grandmother to her two grandchildren, Nicole Conway and Bobby Lemke, nieces and nephews; her loyal service dog, Pepper, who was a constant companion in her daily life.
Her spirit and kindness will be remembered by friends and family alike.
Private cremation arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
