Skook News Obituaries: October 14th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
------------------------------------------
Born in Pottsville on September 30, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Marlin E. and Betty A. (Rodrian) Reed. She was preceded in death by her brother Steven B. Reed and her husband John W. Simpson whom she married on July 25, 1981.
Cindy is survived by a daughter, Melissa and sons, Kyle and Cory, partner Ciarra and stepchildren John and Rachel. Her grandchildren include Sierra, Parker, Greyson, Logan, Quinn, Rory, Tray, Richard, Eddie, Elizabeth, Camaron, and Paige. She had 6 great- grandchildren – Nova, Ryder, Brentley, Camryn, Charlotte and Easton. She also leaves behind 3 brothers, Marlin and wife Mary Jane Reed, Harry and wife Michelle Reed, Larry and wife Marilyn Reed, sister & best friend, Linda Donnelly, wife of William and her sister-in-law, Sue Reed; as well as a brother- in- law Ed Simpson and wife Wendy and sister-in-law, Marjorie Simpson. She was also loved by countless nieces, nephews and cousins.
Most of Cindy’s working years were for Argo Mills Garment Factory at Willow Lake Plant. She also delivered newspapers for the Pottsville Republican, worked at the Ramada Hotel in Pottsville and babysat her 5 great nephews.
She enjoyed growing her vegetable garden every year, walking in the woods, camping & fishing. She was a kid at heart and always found playing with the children at any gathering. She loved sweets; ice cream, cotton candy, smores and Knoebels kettle corn. Her favorite past times were cooking, baking and making candy. She learned many things spending time in the kitchen in with her mother-in-law, Pauline and everything she made was delicious. Cindy is loved and missed by family and many friends.
A special thank you to the staff at The Garden at York Terrace in Pottsville. They are wonderful people that are employed there, especially Amy who showed much compassion for Cindy and her loved ones.
Memorial contributions in memory of Cindy can be sent to any charity of your choosing.
Celebration of Life for Cindy will be held on October 23,2025 at Bubeck Park, Schuylkill Haven, PA from 1-3 p.m. Please bring all your memories.
-------------------------------------
.jpg)
Born in Fairfax, Virginia on August 11, 1975, he was the son of the late Barbara (Burns) Cockrill and Robert Wortman.
Married 16 years, he was the loving husband of Kimberly Ann (Shoener) Wortman.
In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his step-daughter, Kayleigh Zimmerman, at home, brother, William Wortman, husband of Christina, Iowa, maternal grandfather, Howard Burns, husband of Diane, TX, sister-in-law, Wendy Balzanna, wife of Scott, New Ringgold, niece, Lisa Umstead, wife of JJ, Schuylkill Haven, great-niece, MacKenzie Umstead, great-nephews: Jerry Harrison, & Brantley Umstead, best friend, Mike Ross, Virginia, and his beloved pets: Evie, & Sadie.
Eric was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and could often be found drinking Coca Cola.
In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Nancy Burns, maternal aunt, Pat Hochstein, as well as aunts, uncles, and multiple pets.
A private service will be held at the family’s convenience.
-------------------------------------
.jpg)
A 1961 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, Sandra was Presbyterian faith. Her work life was marked by her dedication and craftmanship as a Sewer and Floor Lady at the former Purling Mills and Tamac sewing factories. After their closing, she continued her diligent work as a custodian for the Tamaqua School District, where she served at the high school and West Penn Elementary.
Sandra was a gifted seamstress, creating beautiful wedding dresses, fun Halloween costumes for her grandchildren, and countless other treasured items for family and friends. She and her husband of 64 years, Myron Frantz, shared a passion for antiquing and yard sales, where they enjoyed searching for additions to Sandra’s collection of Hummel's and Barbie dolls. A dedicated fan, Sandra also spent her weekends following her grandson Dennis's NASCAR team on television.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Becky (Davis) Demyanovich. In addition to her loving husband of 64 years, Myron, Sandra is survived by her daughter, Lisa M. Confer and her husband Dennis of Tamaqua; her son, Lance L. Frantz and his wife Colleen of Delano; her brothers, Leonard Davis and his wife Sandra, and James Davis. She will also be deeply missed by her grandchildren, Denise (Bellas) and her husband Roger, and Dennis Confer and his wife Courtney, as well as her great-grandchildren, Abigail and Michael Bellas.
A celebration of Sandra's life will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 11 o'clock a.m. at the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua. Reverend Bob Adams will officiate. Family and friends are invited to call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Entombment will follow at Sky-View Memorial Park in Tamaqua.
-------------------------------------
His previous employment was at USS Achey and Alpha Mills, Port Carbon
Surviving are 2 Brothers and 2 sisters, Matthew Sullivan of New Philadelphia; Michael Sullivan of St. Clair; Connie Ritzko of Schuylkill Haven; Christine Wylam of Shoemakersville; Companion Melissa Farrell of Pottsville; Nieces and Nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00AM Friday October 17, 2025 at Schuylkill Memorial Park 75 Memorial Lane Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972. Dutcavich Funeral Home & Cremation Care Inc. Minersville is entrusted with arrangements.
-------------------------------------
Born in Bloomsburg, Janet was the daughter of the late Harold and Arlene (Boyer) Vought. She graduated from Central Columbia High School in 1958 and began her career at the Consolidated Cigar Corporation in Berwick before dedicating herself to raising her family as a homemaker. She was also a dedicated Avon representative for thirty years.
Janet found joy in life’s simple pleasures—playing bingo and cards, attending the Bloomsburg Fair, cheering on the Phillies, visiting casinos, and making her famous peanut butter fudge. Though she was happiest at home, she loved taking road trips. She will be fondly remembered for her warm heart and her love of family.
She is survived by three daughters, Susan Davis and her fiancé, Keith Kunkel, of Tampa, Florida; Karen Clark and her husband, Stephen, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Linda Burke and her husband, Peter, of Devon, Pennsylvania; five granddaughters, Nicole Woodruff, Brianna Christian, Mary Beth Nix, Lindsey Clark, and Elainey Williams; and eleven great-grandchildren, Ridley Woodruff, Kendall Woodruff, Ryan Davis, Bentley Christian, Alexis Christian, Dallas Christian, Lucas Nix, Judah Nix, Evolet Williams, Alyssa Clark, and one on the way. The oldest of five children, Janet is also survived by a brother, Ronald Vought; and three sisters, Barbara Aten, Darla Henrie, and Debbie Linn; several nieces and nephews; and brothers-in-law, Paul Dodson and Larry Hess (and his companion, Brenda Farley).
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; a son, Russell Hess; a granddaughter, Amanda Davis; and a sister-in-law, Shirley Dodson.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 223 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, with the Rev. Kevin Roberts officiating. Calling hours will be from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Friday at the church.
Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery in Stillwater, Pennsylvania.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church at bethanyec.org. Online condolences may be offered at www.zgfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
-------------------------------------
Born at Ashland Hospital on August 30, 1949, to Earnest Durose and Victoria Panno Durose, Diane was raised in a home rooted in love and family values. She carried those principles with her throughout her life, touching everyone she met with her kindness, grace, and generous spirit.
Diane married the love of her life, Dennis T. Lenahan, and together they built a home filled with warmth, laughter, and deep devotion. She was a proud and loving mother to her two sons, Joseph and Matthew, who were the center of her world and her greatest joy.
She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Victoria and John Novak, with whom she shared a lifelong bond of sisterhood and friendship. She is also survived by her adored grandchildren: Colin Lenahan, Liam Lenahan, and Charlotte Lenahan, who brought endless light and happiness to her life. Diane treasured every moment with them and embraced her role as “Grandma” with joy and tenderness. Diane is also survived by her Goddaughter Jen Novak Workman and many nieces and nephews. Diane was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Jeanette Durose Jones and her Godson Raymond Jones whose memory she held close to her heart.
Diane’s gentle soul and nurturing nature were evident in all that she did—whether it was caring for her family, offering a listening ear to a friend, or simply sharing a quiet moment with those she loved. Her legacy will live on in the lives she touched, the lessons she taught, and the love she gave so freely.
She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the honor of knowing her.
A private family service will be held to celebrate Diane’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA in Pine Grove, a cause close to Diane’s heart and a reflection of her deep love for animals.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Girardville & Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
-------------------------------------
These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
