Skook News Obituaries: October 10th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Cranford on May 22, 1936, to the late Philip George and Anna (Kelly) Keenan, Franko was a proud graduate of Cranford High School, where he excelled at track. Representing victorious Cranford High, he competed in the Penn Relays of 1955. As he awaited the second leg of mile relay, a photographer captured the handsome runner and his photo appeared in Sports Illustrated Magazine, a proud moment for him and a story he shared with all.
Before being drafted, he worked as a warehouseman. He served his country honorably in the United States Army and worked in a chemical plant upon his return. He eventually established his own business, F&V Food Service, where he purveyed breakfast and lunch to friends and employees of Allstate. He built a beautiful life in New Jersey with his wife and three adored children, where you could often find him putzing around the pool, drinking a beer in the yard or entertaining family during “coffee and”.
Franko found joy in life's simple pleasures: a competitive game of golf or tennis, a quiet glass of red wine on the deck overlooking the valley, and a few rounds of solitaire, followed by a well-deserved nap. He was always serenading people with a song; in a store, elevator, doctor’s office or simply around the house. Proud of his Irish heritage, he shared a shot of Jameson with all who entered his home. He famously rooted for any NFL team playing against the New York Giants and was a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Above all else, was his deep love for his family. He was his grandchildren’s number one fan, who more lovingly referred to him as “Pop.” He was a familiar face at dance recitals or on the sidelines of every baseball, basketball, softball, and soccer games, where he proudly yelled “Way to Go!” and was well adored by his community. Franko was the life of every party and celebration, in which he always shared laughs and smiles with his family and friends. He found joy spending summers on Long Beach Island with his family - where he built memories that span generations. In his later years there, he could be found singing and people watching on the front porch, with a happy hour drink in hand. He lived a full life surrounded by those he loved - but perhaps his most special honor was his fierce protectiveness and guardianship of his dear brother, Donny, of whom he took care of for 62 years. Franko’s love was deeply profound and will be missed and cherished by all who knew him.
He has been reunited in death with his beloved wife, Vivian (David) Keenan; his sisters Annamay Evans and Patricia Pullich; and his brothers, William and Philip Keenan. His memory will be treasured by his daughters, Valerie K. Reinhardt (Scott) and Lisa Mancini (Bob); his son, David B. Keenan (Beth); and his brother, Joseph "Donny" Keenan. He was the doting grandfather of Caroline, Madeline, Aislinn, Coll, Trevor, Troy, Juliette, and Baylee, and a loving uncle to his many nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Dooley Funeral Home, 218 North Ave. West, Cranford, New Jersey 07016, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 from 5:00-8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, 40 Alden Street, Cranford, New Jersey, on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM followed by interment with military honors at Fairview Cemetery, 1100 East Broad Street, Westfield, New Jersey 07090.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Francis’s name to Melmark Adult Programs, 2600 Wayland Rd., Berwyn, PA 19312 or Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, 2020 Worthington Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
Local arrangements in care of Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960
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Formerly of Mount Carmel and Washingtonville, he was born at the former Ashland State General Hospital on March 10, 1971, to Russell Weikel and Barbara Nicely.
A 1989 graduate of Mount Carmel Area, Weikel was a hard worker and longtime laborer for various manufacturers and coal companies, including Great Dane Trailer near Washingtonville, Lehigh Coal and Navigation, Tamaqua, and most recently, Lowe’s Distribution in Cass Township.
He found joy in fishing, hiking, especially Ricketts Glen State Park, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles, and former NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick. Though, his greatest joy was seeing his first grandson, Stetson Shomper.
He is preceded in death by his parents- Russell Weikel and Barbara Nicely., brother Jimmy Weikel, and sister Marie Geise, Russell Weikel, and his beloved adoptive parents, Nellie and Donald Whipple, adoptive sisters Donna, Diane, and Tracy Whipple, all of Washingtonville.
Weikel is survived by his daughter, Jenna Weikel, Marion Heights, her fiancé, Justin Shomper, and their son, Stetson; longtime life-partner Sherry Streeter, of Shenandoah, and her daughters, Sam Streeter and Kaylee Lindenmuth; siblings Lois Weikel, Shamokin; Richard Weikel, Jeffrey Weikel, Sharon Weikel, and Doris Weikel; and adoptive brother Paul Whipple, Washingtonville.
Arrangements are being handled by the Oravitz Home for Funerals, Shenandoah, and will be announced at a later date.
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Barbara Ann Liem, 85, of Gordon passed away Friday afternoon October 10, 2025 at her residence.
For more information or to extend online condolences, visit www.kullfuneral.com. Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc, 901 Centre St, Ashland PA has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born on August 17, 1950 in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Ray L. and Delphine M. Klinger Stump.
He was a 1968 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School and a graduate of Ford Business School with a degree in Accounting.
Ronald was a sawyer for Stump Brothers Lumber Co., Pine Grove. and after retiring, he was a custodian for the Pine Grove Area School District.
He was a member of the Oak Grove Brethren Chapel, Pine Grove, where he served as Deacon and Moderator. He was also a member of the Pine Grove Gridiron Club and loved the outdoors, hunting and softball.
Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Roberta Donmoyer Stump; a son, Ronald Jr. and wife Mary Anne Stump of Gordon; a daughter, Rebecca Stump of Pine Grove; two grandchildren, Greg and Ella Stump; two brothers, Ray and wife Janeen Stump, Terry and wife Crystal Stump, both of Pine Grove; nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove with his son, Ronald Stump, Jr. officiating. There will be a viewing on Monday, October 13, 2025 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Schuylkill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Pine Grove.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Oak Grove Brethren Chapel, c/o Rebecca Stump, 384 Mountain Rd., Pine Grove, PA 17963 in his memory.
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Gary Lee Haag, 62, of Fiddlers Rd., Pine Grove, passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Born on September 8, 1963 in Reading, he was a son of Phyllis Haag Alvarez.
Gary was in the Navy for 4 years from 1982-1986.
He worked security for City Hall in Reading.
Preceding him in death were two brothers, Lucius Haag and Steven Haag.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are two sisters, Tonya Haag of Pine Grove, Lucinda Haag of Hamburg; nieces and nephews.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., 139 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, PA 17963 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements.
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She was born on Saturday, February 6, 1943 in Hegins, a daughter of the late Raymond and Thelma Bixler Kroh.
She was retired from the Yuasa Battery Plant, Reading.
Dianna will be remembered for her strong Christian faith and love for the Lord. She enjoyed playing piano, traveling, cooking, baking, and playing cards. She could often be found sitting outside on her porch, watching the cars drive along Route 209.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by a brother, Thomas Kroh; two sisters, Rommie Wilson, and Grace Koch.
Dianna is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, William Day; a son, William Matthew Day, Lykens; a daughter, Melanie Hartman and her husband Kenny, Pine Grove; three grandchildren, Patrick, Alex, and Jared; two great granddaughters, Addie and Jeanetta; several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Tower City, with Pastors Robert Saville and Annette Shutt officiating. A visitation will be from 4-5 PM at the chapel. Immediately following the service, family and friends are invited for a dinner and time of fellowship at the Calvary United Methodist Church, Wiconisco.
Memorial donations in memory of Dianna can be sent to any church of your choosing.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
