Skook News Obituaries: October 11th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Pottsville, he was the son of the late John and Yolanda (Pilo) Walsh. He worked in the maintenance department of North Schuylkill School District until his retirement.
He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Clair and served in the reserves of the United States Army.
A man of deep faith and many passions, Jack found joy in the simple and meaningful things in life. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved spending time hunting, and his skill and creativity shone through his woodworking projects. A devoted fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Philadelphia Phillies, he rarely missed a game and loved cheering on his favorite teams.
Jack also took great pride in making his own wine, a hobby that perfectly captured his spirit — careful, proud of the process, and happiest when sharing the finished product with friends and family.
His strong devotion to Padre Pio guided him throughout his life and brought him great comfort and strength. “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”
Jack is survived by his wife, with whom they just celebrated 50 years of marriage, Barbara (Chiccini) Walsh of Frackville; his two sons: John Walsh and his wife Tabitha, Frackville; Patrick Walsh and his wife Rebecca, Pittsburgh; his two daughters: Nicole Riviello and her husband Peter, Springfield; Kathleen Katulis and her husband Joe, Fountain Springs; his 14 grandchildren: Emalie, Emily, Kevin, Johnny, Caleb, Mason, Anelya, Scarlett, Declan, Maria, Peter, Elizabeth, Michael and Callum.
Mass of Christian Burial and Interment will be private.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Shenandoah at the former Locust Mountain Hospital on October 20, 1939, she was the daughter of the late John and Anna (Shadis) Hutira.
Joan was a 1957 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School. She spent her career as a pharmacy technician, last working for Rite-Aid Pharmacy in Mahanoy City until her retirement. Earlier in her life, she was a dance teacher for the former Jean Dixon School of Dance. Joan used her skills and staked her claim to fame while dancing with Frankie Avalon on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. She also liked to solve jigsaw puzzles, visit the library as she loved to read, and chat with her neighbors. Joan devoted many years as a loving caregiver to her mother before her passing. She was a member of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Mahanoy City. Above all else, she loved and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren more than anything in the world.
Her surviving family includes her son- John Kaczmarczyk with his wife Kathy of Endwell, NY, her daughter- Karen Roberts with her husband William of Barnesville, 5 grandchildren- Jillian Richmond with husband Jason, Susan Kaczmarczyk, Jaclyn Roberts, Laura Caraballo with husband Eddie, and Nicole Kaczmarczyk, along with 2 great-granddaughters- Scarlett and Stella Richmond.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 15th at 10:00am in St. Teresa of Calcutta Church, Mahanoy City by Fr. Leo Maletz. Visitation will be held on Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 10:00am in the church. Burial will immediately follow in Sky-View Memorial Park, Tamaqua.
The family would like to extend a sincere word of thanks to the staff at Providence Place for the wonderful care and consideration they provided.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org.
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He was born on August 2, 1940, in Bloomsburg, PA, to the late John Schreffler and Ruth Everett Schreffler.
Barry married the love of his life, Thelma Davidson Schreffler, on October 10th, 1970. They were married for 52 wonderful years. Thelma preceded him in death, and together they built a beautiful life centered on faith, family, and love.
He is survived by his two children, son John Schreffler and his wife Carolyn Vito Schreffler, of Downingtown, PA, and daughter Kristi Schreffler Piaskowski and her husband Aaron Piaskowski, of Ringtown, PA. He had four beloved grandchildren; Makenna Piaskowski, Isabel Schreffler, Logan Schreffler, and Jack Schreffler, all of whom brought immense pride and joy to his life.
Barry is also survived by his brothers, Jim Schreffler and Robert Lynn Schreffler and his wife, Teri Schreffler, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Betty Schreffler Laucks, Marie Schreffler Everett, and Gail Schreffler.
Barry was a graduate of the former North Union Township High School. He was a lifelong member of the Mt. Zion Lutheran church where he served on the church council. He also served in the U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a member of several hunting and fishing clubs throughout his life. He retired from PPL in 2000 after working there for 35 years as a lineman.
He loved spending time outdoors with his children, grandchildren, and his treasured friends — whether hunting, fishing, golfing, or gardening. He was well known for brewing wine and distilling spirits, which he loved to share with his friends and family. He was also an avid sports fan, faithfully cheering for the New York Yankees, the Philadelphia Eagles, and Penn State football.
Those who knew Barry will remember him for the deep love he held for his family and friends. He would always go out of his way to help anyone. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the memories he created with those he loved most.
Barry will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 18th at the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Zion Grove. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Friday evening, October 17th from 5-8 PM and again on Saturday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, 412 West Main Street, Ringtown.
Barry will be laid to rest alongside his wife Thelma at the Mt. Zion Cemetery, following the church service on Saturday.
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Michael P. Sweeney, 69, of Ashland, passed away Friday, October 10, 2025, at his residence.
The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, will announce funeral arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
