Skook News Obituaries: September 8th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Frackville she was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Mahalczyk) Prock. She attended area school and had been employed by General Cigar and last at Eagle Shirt Company. She was a member of St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Mahanoy City. She enjoyed watching the Phillie's and Eagles.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband John F. Staconis in 1999 and a son John J. Staconis in 2012, brothers Metro, John, Peter, Andrew, Steven, Michael, Adam, Alex and Joe and sisters Anna, Mary, Julia and Eva.
Survivors include a daughter Deborah C. Morgan of Frackville, granddaughters Ashley Morgan and her husband Dustin Dillman of Frackville and Amanda Krolick and her husband Jonathan of Gordon grandsons Jack Staconis and his wife Lynn and Jonathan Staconis all of Shenandoah and a great granddaughter Samantha Staconis as well as nieces and nephews.
Services will be private.
Contributions in Helen's name to St. Teresa of Calcutta Church, 614 W. Mahanoy Ave. , Mahanoy City, PA 17948 would be appreciated.
Lois E. Kimmel, 84, of Donaldson, passed away peacefully, Saturday night, September 6, 2025 at Tremont Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Pottsville on Tuesday, December 17, 1940, a daughter of the late Guy and Doris Hepler Barry. She was a 1957 graduate of the former Frailey Township School, where she was the valedictorian. She was also a 1958 graduate of the former Tremont High School.
Early in Lois's career, she worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. She also worked for local convenience stores in the Tremont area. Lois's talent for floral designs led her to the position of manager of the former Labud's Flower Shop, Pine Grove, where she specialized in wedding, prom, and funeral flowers.
She was a member St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Tremont, the Tremont Fire Company, and was a former member of the Eastern Star Pine Grove Chapter.
Lois was a woman of many talents. She had a passion for cooking and baking, even once earning the Betty Crocker Homemaker Award. She was a skilled gardener, crafter, and seamstress. Lois also was a talented pianist and organist, and she enjoyed playing throughout the valley at numerous churches and for residents at the Tremont Nursing Home. She took great pride in being a lifelong resident of Donaldson. She was also very patriotic. Every year she recited Flanders Field during the Memorial Day services at Donaldson Cemetery. While Lois carried many titles, the one she cherished most was “Nana” to her five grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Robert R. Kimmel, Sr., 2004; a sister, Betty Jane Zernhelt, 2022.
Surviving are her two children, Carolyn E. Potts, and her husband Robert, Pottsville, and Robert R. Kimmel, Jr., and his wife Patricia, Texas; five grandchildren, Natalie, Nathan, and Emma Kimmel, and Caley and Cami Potts; two sisters, Judy Schwartz and her husband Robert, Gratz, and Sidney "Sis" Hoffman and her husband Paul, Lykens; six brothers, Ronald Barry and his wife Deborah, Virginia, Harvey Barry and Bonnie, Pine Grove, Richard Barry and his wife Deborah, Valley View, William Barry and his wife Sue, Tremont, Steve Barry and his wife Suzie, Fearnot, and Randy Barry and his wife Lisa, Reading; a sister-in-law, Shirley Wolfgang; brother-in-law, John Zernhelt; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Tower City, with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. Visitation will be held from 10-11 at the chapel. Lois will be laid to rest in the Fountain Community Cemetery with her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 59 Spring St, Tremont, PA 17981.
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Born in Pottsville on Tuesday, December 17, 1940, a daughter of the late Guy and Doris Hepler Barry. She was a 1957 graduate of the former Frailey Township School, where she was the valedictorian. She was also a 1958 graduate of the former Tremont High School.
Early in Lois's career, she worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. She also worked for local convenience stores in the Tremont area. Lois's talent for floral designs led her to the position of manager of the former Labud's Flower Shop, Pine Grove, where she specialized in wedding, prom, and funeral flowers.
She was a member St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Tremont, the Tremont Fire Company, and was a former member of the Eastern Star Pine Grove Chapter.
Lois was a woman of many talents. She had a passion for cooking and baking, even once earning the Betty Crocker Homemaker Award. She was a skilled gardener, crafter, and seamstress. Lois also was a talented pianist and organist, and she enjoyed playing throughout the valley at numerous churches and for residents at the Tremont Nursing Home. She took great pride in being a lifelong resident of Donaldson. She was also very patriotic. Every year she recited Flanders Field during the Memorial Day services at Donaldson Cemetery. While Lois carried many titles, the one she cherished most was “Nana” to her five grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Robert R. Kimmel, Sr., 2004; a sister, Betty Jane Zernhelt, 2022.
Surviving are her two children, Carolyn E. Potts, and her husband Robert, Pottsville, and Robert R. Kimmel, Jr., and his wife Patricia, Texas; five grandchildren, Natalie, Nathan, and Emma Kimmel, and Caley and Cami Potts; two sisters, Judy Schwartz and her husband Robert, Gratz, and Sidney "Sis" Hoffman and her husband Paul, Lykens; six brothers, Ronald Barry and his wife Deborah, Virginia, Harvey Barry and Bonnie, Pine Grove, Richard Barry and his wife Deborah, Valley View, William Barry and his wife Sue, Tremont, Steve Barry and his wife Suzie, Fearnot, and Randy Barry and his wife Lisa, Reading; a sister-in-law, Shirley Wolfgang; brother-in-law, John Zernhelt; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Tower City, with Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. Visitation will be held from 10-11 at the chapel. Lois will be laid to rest in the Fountain Community Cemetery with her husband.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 59 Spring St, Tremont, PA 17981.
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It is with deep love and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Laura Nieves Cortes on September 7, 2025.
Born on November 20, 1957, in Isabela, Puerto Rico, Laura lived most of her life in the town she loved.
She was a devoted wife to her husband, Felix Roman, and a proud mother of her three children: Jesenia Carrasco, Mirgia Roman, and Felix Roman. Her family was her greatest joy, and she raised them with love, courage, and faith.
Laura was blessed with seven siblings and was the loving grandmother of seven grandchildren, who were the light of her life. She was a strong and kind woman. Her strength was unmatched, and her family will always remember her humor and that unforgettable “mad left hook” that became part of her legacy.
Laura also had a gift for creativity. She had a passion for making beautiful flower arrangements and decorating for all kinds of activities and celebrations, always bringing joy and beauty to every event. Her favorite color was blue, a reflection of her calm, graceful, and vibrant spirit.
She was also known for her generous heart. Laura loved helping people and lived her life with a heart for service, guided always by her deep faith in God. Her compassion, laughter, and wisdom touched everyone blessed to know her.
She will be remembered as a woman of faith, resilience, and unconditional love. Laura leaves behind a legacy that will live on in her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her siblings, and all who knew her.
The Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, Shenandoah are entrusted with the arrangements.
It is with deep love and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Laura Nieves Cortes on September 7, 2025.
Born on November 20, 1957, in Isabela, Puerto Rico, Laura lived most of her life in the town she loved.
She was a devoted wife to her husband, Felix Roman, and a proud mother of her three children: Jesenia Carrasco, Mirgia Roman, and Felix Roman. Her family was her greatest joy, and she raised them with love, courage, and faith.
Laura was blessed with seven siblings and was the loving grandmother of seven grandchildren, who were the light of her life. She was a strong and kind woman. Her strength was unmatched, and her family will always remember her humor and that unforgettable “mad left hook” that became part of her legacy.
Laura also had a gift for creativity. She had a passion for making beautiful flower arrangements and decorating for all kinds of activities and celebrations, always bringing joy and beauty to every event. Her favorite color was blue, a reflection of her calm, graceful, and vibrant spirit.
She was also known for her generous heart. Laura loved helping people and lived her life with a heart for service, guided always by her deep faith in God. Her compassion, laughter, and wisdom touched everyone blessed to know her.
She will be remembered as a woman of faith, resilience, and unconditional love. Laura leaves behind a legacy that will live on in her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her siblings, and all who knew her.
The Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, Shenandoah are entrusted with the arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
