Skook News Obituaries: October 15th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Coaldale, on March 29, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Wilmer George Sr. and Jane (Davis) George. She was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, John Albert Isganitis, and her brothers, James W. George and Karl George.
A graduate of Tamaqua High School, Jane worked in several sewing mills in the Tamaqua area. She was a member of Trinity U.C.C. in Tamaqua, where she participated in church activities. An avid gardener, she enjoyed spending time tending to her flowers and caring for the hummingbirds that visited her yard. She found her greatest joy in her role as "Grammy."
Jane is survived by her sons, David Ansbach and his wife Shelly, Mark Isganitis, and David Isganitis and his wife Margaret) her brother, Wilmer George Jr. and his wife Sue; 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Jean George; and many nieces and nephews.
Private arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Interment Sky-View Memorial Park Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
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Born in Palmerton on October 16, 1967, Jeremy was the son of the late Joseph B. and Nancy (Houser) Lawson. A 1987 graduate of Marian Catholic High School and a man of Catholic faith, he dedicated his career to hard work, most recently as a yard jockey for Orfield Cold Storage and previously with Jaindl Farms.
Jeremy's true passions, however, lay in his hands-on hobbies. A gifted mechanic, he found joy in tinkering with small engines and was the family's go-to person for keeping farm equipment running smoothly. Mowing the grass was never a chore for Jeremy; it was a peaceful pastime he truly enjoyed. More than anything, he was a loyal friend and family member, always the first to show up and help whenever anyone called. His selfless nature was the true definition of a loyal friend, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him.
Jeremy is survived by his loving brothers, Joseph Lawson and his wife Marla, and Jeffery Lawson and his wife Gerri, all of Tamaqua. He also leaves behind his sisters, Melissa Lawson of New Ringgold and Margaret "Peg" Miller and her husband Darryl of Andreas. His memory will be cherished by many nieces and nephews: Ashley Kovatch and her partner Jason Gerber, Lawson Miller and his wife Katie, Elena Corson and her wife Ashley, Amber Lawson and her husband Corey, Ashley Fortin, Emily Lawson, and Megane Streisel and her husband Dakota; he will also be greatly missed by; great nieces and nephews, John Kovatch V, Miller Kovatch, Madison Fortin, Liam Fortin, Logan Fortin, Kyrie Lawson, Kolt Miller, Joey Conahan, Lainey Mae Miller, Jayden Corson, Logan Corson, Jackson Corson, Jaxon Streisel.
Private arrangements entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation services, Inc. 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold Pennsylvania 17960.
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Born Sunday, March 26, 1944 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, Carolyn was the daughter of the late Walter J. and Beatrice (Taite) Adams. Carolyn was also predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Leonard A. Steigerwalt on January 27, 2015, and a brother, Glenn G. Adams.
Carolyn's greatest joy was her family especially her grandchildren, Nathan, Alex, and Sarah, who lovingly called her “Mam-mam.” In addition to her grandchildren, Carolyn is survived by son, Kevin A. Steigerwalt and his wife Kimberly of Tamaqua; daughters, Michele M. Sweigert, wife of Tom of Pottsville; Jennifer M. Lesisko, wife of Lee of Kunkletown; and a brother, James Taite.
A 1962 Tamaqua Area High School graduate, Carolyn earned her certification as a beautician from Empire Beauty School. A member of the Primitive Methodist Church of Tamaqua, Carolyn worked at the former Tobias's store in Tamaqua, in various local grocery stores and for the Tamaqua Area School District.
An avid reader, Carolyn enjoyed completing jigsaw puzzles and watching old television shows. Her daughters bestowed her as the perfect animal sitter, caring for their pets with love while they were away. Carolyn’s friendly nature and joyful laugh will be remembered fondly by those that love her.
Private funeral arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.
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Born in Duncott, PA on April 1, 1933, he was a son of the late Harvey & Lillian (Adams) Brensinger.
Married 62 years, he was the widower of Rosemary F. (Motley) Brensinger who passed away in 2023.
In addition to his parents and wife, Gary is also preceded in death by all his siblings: Jerome, Edward, Harvey, & Roger Brensinger, Joan Schappell, and his daughter-in-law, Sheila Brensinger.
He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Gary served in the United States Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean War.
He was employed by Argo Mills for 33 1/2 years as a machinist. Gary was the North Manheim Township Supervisor from 1980-1986 and 1991-2008.
He was a member of the American Legion/VFW Post #38, Schuylkill Haven, New Ringgold Fire Co., Schuylkill Haven Golf League, Hidden Valley Twilight League, and was an avid bowler.
Gary is survived by five children: Colleen Lukach wife of Andy, Cressona, Debra Harkins wife of Joe, Schuylkill Haven, Gary Brensinger, Jr., companion of Linda Palucci, New Ringgold, Randy Brensinger, husband of Gloria, Schuylkill Haven, & Kimberly Brensinger, companion of Kristi Waite, Watsontown, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, & one great-great-grandchild, brother-in-law, Edward Motley, and several nieces & nephews.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven on Saturday, November 15th at 11 AM with Rev. Matthew Carpenter officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of service.
Private interment at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, will be held at the convenience of the family.
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Vanessa Foresman (Kostowskie), 29, of Philadelphia and formerly of Shenandoah, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Vanessa was a loving soul who made friends everywhere she went. She had the kindest heart, willing to help in any possible way she could. Vanessa was the person you could call or sit with to talk about anything and everything. She was very trustworthy, always able to find a way to make someone feel better about anything going on. She loved her children more than anyone or anything on this planet. Vanessa had family that were also friends, and friends that were like family. She had a way of bringing people together and making people smile, during good or rough times. Vanessa loved to pop up and surprise people unexpectedly, surprising us with a different hairstyle every time too. She was always thinking of and taking care of the people she loved most. She told some of the best stories about her childhood with her brother and family, always expressing her love and fondness of the memories and the people involved in them.
Vanessa is survived by her children- Miyah and Jay’Seon, parents- Christina Torres and Carl Kostowskie Sr, brother- Carl Kostowskie(CJ), Aunt- Donna Donnelly, Cousins- Brian and Matthew, cousin and best friend Cheyenne Neibert, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins in Delaware and Pennsylvania and many friends surrounding the same areas. She will be beyond missed.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, October 17th from 9:00am to 12:00pm at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, 40 N. Jardin St, Shenandoah.
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Lovell A. Kahley, 90, a resident of Ringtown, passed away surrounded by her family on October 14, 2025.
Lovell was born in Ringtown on August 28, 1935, a daughter of the late Elwood and Sara (Zimmerman) Lindenmuth.
She graduated from the former Ringtown High School in 1953 and the Bloomsburg Teachers College in 1956. She went on to teach in the Pottsville School District from 1956-1959, and then at the Ringtown Union, which later became the North Schuylkill School District, from 1963 until 1996. She will be well remembered as both second grade teacher and principal of the Ringtown elementary school, with past students frequently expressing fond memories of being in her class.
Lovell was very active in the community, having belonged to the Ringtown Women's Club, Ringtown Lioness Club, Ringtown Lions Club and the RIngtown Senior Citizens. She was also a member of the Orwigsburg Chapter of the Eastern Star.
She married Reed S. Kahley on June 2, 1956, and was a life long member of St. John's Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School and serving on Church Council. An avid reader all her life, she spent many hours in a boat reading while Reed fished.
In addition to her husband Reed who passed away in 2017, she was preceded in death by a son in law, George Herbein and a grandson, David Herbein.
Lovell is survived by her three children, Jewel (Mark) Tuberty, Zion Grove; Kevin (Penny) Kahley, Fayetteville, GA; and Keith (Brenda) Kahley, New Bloomfield. Eight grandchildren, Andrew, Thomas and Mark Herbein; Zachary Kahley; Astrida (Kahley) Curis; Sandra (Kahley) Turk, Ruthanne Kahley and Martha (Kahley) Martin, along with twelve great grandchildren also survive.
A Brother, Bruce (Ruthanne) Lindenmuth of Ohio also survives along with nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, October 20th, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church, West Main Street, Ringtown. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing Sunday evening, from 6-8 PM at the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, 412 West Main Street, Ringtown, and again on Monday morning from 10-11 AM at the church.
Lovell will be laid to rest alongside her husband Reed at St. John's Cemetery, following the service Monday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory Lovell are asked to be made to St. John's Lutheran Church in Ringtown, in care of their Capital Campaign.
Lovell A. Kahley, 90, a resident of Ringtown, passed away surrounded by her family on October 14, 2025.
Lovell was born in Ringtown on August 28, 1935, a daughter of the late Elwood and Sara (Zimmerman) Lindenmuth.
She graduated from the former Ringtown High School in 1953 and the Bloomsburg Teachers College in 1956. She went on to teach in the Pottsville School District from 1956-1959, and then at the Ringtown Union, which later became the North Schuylkill School District, from 1963 until 1996. She will be well remembered as both second grade teacher and principal of the Ringtown elementary school, with past students frequently expressing fond memories of being in her class.
Lovell was very active in the community, having belonged to the Ringtown Women's Club, Ringtown Lioness Club, Ringtown Lions Club and the RIngtown Senior Citizens. She was also a member of the Orwigsburg Chapter of the Eastern Star.
She married Reed S. Kahley on June 2, 1956, and was a life long member of St. John's Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School and serving on Church Council. An avid reader all her life, she spent many hours in a boat reading while Reed fished.
In addition to her husband Reed who passed away in 2017, she was preceded in death by a son in law, George Herbein and a grandson, David Herbein.
Lovell is survived by her three children, Jewel (Mark) Tuberty, Zion Grove; Kevin (Penny) Kahley, Fayetteville, GA; and Keith (Brenda) Kahley, New Bloomfield. Eight grandchildren, Andrew, Thomas and Mark Herbein; Zachary Kahley; Astrida (Kahley) Curis; Sandra (Kahley) Turk, Ruthanne Kahley and Martha (Kahley) Martin, along with twelve great grandchildren also survive.
A Brother, Bruce (Ruthanne) Lindenmuth of Ohio also survives along with nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Monday, October 20th, 2025 at St. John's Lutheran Church, West Main Street, Ringtown. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing Sunday evening, from 6-8 PM at the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, 412 West Main Street, Ringtown, and again on Monday morning from 10-11 AM at the church.
Lovell will be laid to rest alongside her husband Reed at St. John's Cemetery, following the service Monday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory Lovell are asked to be made to St. John's Lutheran Church in Ringtown, in care of their Capital Campaign.
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She was born on Monday, November 1, 1926, in Rough and Ready, a daughter of the late Delphin Davis and the late Helen (Ramberger) Davis.
Bernice was a 1944 graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School.
She was a seamstress for Summit Station Mfg..
She was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church, Tremont.
She was also a member of theTremont Senior Citizens.
Bernice enjoyed sewing, cooking, quilting, reading, crafts, and spending time with her family..
Her husband, Lamar W Wetzel, passed away in 1998. She was also preceded in death by a son:, Richard Wetzel, and a brother, Gene Davis.
She is survived by three sons, Kevin (Donna) Wetzel of Oley, Scott (Debra) Wetzel of Pine Grove, and Brian G (Cathy) Wetzel of Pine Grove; a daughter, Dori (Alan) Golden of Howey In The Hills, FL; ten grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; a brother, Dwight (Kay) Davis of Gratz; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 10:00 am, with Rev. Benjamin Scholl officiating.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on Saturday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in the German Reformed Cemetery, Tremont.
Memorial contributions can be made to Compassus Hospice, 500 Hawk Ridge Dr., Suite 4, Hamburg PA 19526.
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Jack was born in Reinerton, PA, September 23, 1941, a son of the late Richard and Grace Lemke English.
He was a 1959 graduate of the former Porter-Tower High school. Jack received his bachelors degree in Education from Kutztown University and a master's degree from Shippensburg University.
He was a retired physics teacher with Eastern Lebanon County School district where he taught for 36 years. He served as past president of the ELCO Teachers Association.
Jack was an active and faithful member of the Lebanon Bible Fellowship Church, where he was a former elder.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his four brothers, Kenneth, Bruce, Edward and Dennis.
Surviving are his wife, Carol Thomson English, two children, Susan Linn and her husband Michael, Clarence Center, New York and Andrew English, Joliett, three grandchildren, Kathryn, David and Rachel, several nieces and nephews. He and Carol celebrated their 61st anniversary on October 10th.
A Celebration of Jack's life will be held on Saturday November 1st, 2025 at the Lebanon Bible Fellowship Church. Pastor Jarred Cruise will be officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00-11, followed by the service at 11:00. A luncheon and time of fellowship will be held immediately after the service in the fellowship hall. A private burial will be held in the Grandview Memorial Park, Annville.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's memory can be made to the Lebanon Bible Fellowship Church, 1635 Mill Rd, Lebanon, PA 17042.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc, Tower City has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Michael P. Sweeney, 69, of Ashland, passed away Friday, October 10, 2025, at his residence. Born at the Ashland State Hospital, Fountain Springs, December 24, 1955, he was the son of the late Michael and Carol (Fegley) Sweeney. He was a graduate of the North Schuylkill High School, class of 1973. Following high school, he graduated from the Hershey Police Academy, and was employed for the Ashland Police Department for many years. Mike was employed for the next 23 years with the Hampden Township Police Department, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, until his retirement. He was a member of the former Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, now Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish, Ashland.
Survivors
Daughter: Kim wife of Eric Seckman
Daughter: Angie wife of Jeff Myers
Sister: LeeAnn wife of Nick Interdonato
Brother: Tim Sweeney and his wife Monica
Brother: Dennis Sweeney and his wife Samantha
Former wife: JoAnn Shuey Sweeney
Grandchildren: Elin and Will Myers, and Russell, Piper, and Waylon Seckman
Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration Mike’s life, Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 11:30 AM, in the Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, 1323 Centre St., Ashland. Officiating will be Rev. Dana Heckman Beil, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Ashland. Visitation for family and friends will begin at 10:00 AM until time of service. Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com to leave memories and condolences. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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Born in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, on September 6, 1986, Kyle was the son of Charles and Barbara Corter Stalter.
After graduating from Tamaqua High School, he pursued his passion for art and computer design at Lehigh Carbon Community College. His creative abilities were reflected in his love for playing the guitar, a talent that brought joy to his life and those around him. Kyle also cherished the companionship of his beloved cats, Sophia and Clare, who were a constant source of comfort. He will be dearly missed by his family, including his devoted parents, Charles and Barbara Stalter; his brother, Christopher C. Stalter, and his wife, Susan; his sister, Lori Stalter; and his niece and nephew, Caitlin and Matthew Fegely.
Private arrangements entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 2066 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
