Skook News Obituaries: October 2nd, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Jacob Bruce Miller, 71, of Cressona, passed away Wednesday, October 1st, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Schuylkill, E. Norwegian St., Pottsville.Jake was born in Pottsville on May 4, 1954, a son of the late Jack O. & Joyce (Walters) Miller.
He is survived by two sons: Nicholas Miller, Schuylkill Haven, & Daniel Miller, Pine Grove, three grandsons: Bryce, Noah, & Corvin Miller, three siblings: Joan Furman, Cressona, Jane Scott, Bellefonte, & Jim Miller, Florida, and nieces & nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jake is also preceded in death by his brother, Jack Miller.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
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Born in St Clair on March 13, 1940, he was the son of the late Rita (Schauer) Francis W. Burns.
Married on April 16, 1966, Joseph was the husband of Cecilia (Muldowney) Burns.
Joseph was a graduate of Nativity BVM High School.
Throughout his career, he was employed at Ost & Ost and Exxon Chemical.
Joseph was a member of St. John’s The Baptist Church, Pottsville. Joseph was also a life member of Yorkville Hose Fire Co., a member of Seneca Farm Hunters Association, and the cofounder of Gear Grinder Hot Rod Association.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children: Joann Burns, wife of Michael Pogirski, of Pottsville; Joseph F. Burns, Jr., husband of Christine, of Orwigsburg; and Bridget Burns, of Pottsville. He is also survived by grandchildren: Matthew Seltzer, fiancé of Kelley Novogratz; Michael Seltzer, fiancé of Danielle Mates; Cassidy Burns; Ethan Burns; Reese Burns; Jani Burns, fiancé of Damien Whalen; Jasper Burns; Jakob Burns, fiancé of Morgan Kromanocker; Nicholas Kerby, husband of Maddie Consugar; Carter Kerby; Joseph & Faith Schwartz; a soon-to-be great grandson, Harvey Joseph Whalen; a sister, Annmarie, wife of Steve Zinda, of Seltzer City; a brother, Kevin Burns, husband of James Rayner, of Media, PA; several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 4, at Lord Ebling Haus Funeral Home & Crematory, Pottsville. A visitation will be held from 9 AM until the beginning of services. Interment will be private at the family’s convenience.
Memorial donations in Joseph’s memory can be made to Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., Pottsville, PA 17901 or Schuylkill County Special Olympics, 2158 Avenue C, Ste 201 Bethlehem, PA 18017 - please include “Schuylkill County” in the subject line.
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Born in Pottsville, PA October 3, 1947, he was the son of Edward C, Jr and Margaret V (Dougherty) Tray.
Ed a lifelong resident of St Clair, he was a graduate of the Class of 1965, Nativity BVM Catholic High School. He entered the Inaugural Class of Allentown College of St Francis DeSales, now DeSales University, earning a Bachelor of Education in 1969.
He began his teaching career at St Stephen’s Parochial School in Port Carbon. Ed dedicated his life to teaching young minds and molding young souls in the Diocese of Allentown for over 40 years. After, his retirement from St Stephens, Ed found his way to his high school alma mater once again devoting his time and talents teaching religion classes.
In 1983 Ed became the Head Coach of Girls Volleyball at Nativity High School. During, his tenure as the Golden Girls Head Coach his team won 2 Schuylkill County League Championships, Eleven District 11 Titles and a 3rd place finish in the PIAA State Volleyball Tournament. Upon his retirement in 2000 Ed’s leadership accounted for over 250 teams wins. In 2018 he was inducted into Nativity BVM High School Athletic Hall of Fame as unarguably the most decorated volleyball coach in Nativity High School history. During his time at St Stephens Ed guided their CYO Volleyball team to numerous Diocesan and State CYO Championships.
Bored with full retirement, Ed became an Ambassador for Middle States Accreditation. A program certifying that an elementary school meets and develops high-quality standards for education. Ed was still performing his duties until his passing.
Ed was a 50 year Knights of Columbus member starting in Frackville and then transferring his membership to his hometown Council St John Neumann, St Clair. Ed obtained the 3rd Degree and served in various leadership capacities including two terms as their Grand Knight.
Ed was a member of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, New Philadelphia, PA. Ed enjoyed sports, watching Eagles and Phillies games, but not more than attending Penn State Nittany Lions games. He was a season ticket holder for over 30 years. He especially enjoyed traveling with his friends to their bowl games and leaving behind the cold northeast winter to the warmth of the southern and western states. His favorite bowl game was the 1987 Fiesta Bowl Championship game when Class beat Crass.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, New Philadelphia at 11am, Monday October 6, with Msgr. William Glosser officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to visitation on Monday morning 9:30-11am at the Church.
Interment will be held in the Queen of Universe Cemetery Pottsville, PA
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Church Memorial Fund 99 Valley St, New Philadelphia, PA 17959 or Nativity BVM High School, 1 Lawtons Hill, Pottsville, PA 17901.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home, Port Carbon is in charge of arrangements.
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Lewis “Jim” Dietrick, 82, of Ashland, passed away, with family by his side, Thursday, October 2, 2025, at his residence.
Funeral arrangements will be announced. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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Mark S. Keirsey, 67, of Gilberton passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 1st.
Born in Norristown, he was a son of the late Walter H. and Barbara (Moyer) Keirsey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Robin L. Nash, Jeffrey S. Keirsey and Andrew Moyer Keirsey.
Mark worked as a meter reader for the Philadelphia Electric Company and after several years went to work in logistics at their Limerick Generating Station with Exelon up until his retirement.
His love for nature carried him from the North Georgia Mountains to the soaring peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park, where he enjoyed countless hikes, to the sandy shores of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, where he created lasting memories with his grandparents. He was also an avid reader who especially enjoyed historical fiction novels.
Mark is survived by his four sons: Ian Keirsey, Kyle Keirsey, Sean Keirsey and Josh (Keirsey) Smith; his sister, Jill Waldon and her husband Scott; his brother, Walter Keirsey and his wife Mary and by several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
Born in Norristown, he was a son of the late Walter H. and Barbara (Moyer) Keirsey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Robin L. Nash, Jeffrey S. Keirsey and Andrew Moyer Keirsey.
Mark worked as a meter reader for the Philadelphia Electric Company and after several years went to work in logistics at their Limerick Generating Station with Exelon up until his retirement.
His love for nature carried him from the North Georgia Mountains to the soaring peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park, where he enjoyed countless hikes, to the sandy shores of Long Beach Island, New Jersey, where he created lasting memories with his grandparents. He was also an avid reader who especially enjoyed historical fiction novels.
Mark is survived by his four sons: Ian Keirsey, Kyle Keirsey, Sean Keirsey and Josh (Keirsey) Smith; his sister, Jill Waldon and her husband Scott; his brother, Walter Keirsey and his wife Mary and by several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
