Skook News Obituaries: October 20th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Earl was born June 24,1929 in New Haven Connecticut. He began his illustrious career in teaching and writing at his parent's general store as a meat cutter. He started Piano at age 9. 2 years later learned clarinet. In high school he learned the Oboe. During High School in 1944-45 he became first chair in Clarinet Band and First Chair in Oboe Orchestra.
In 1945 he entered University of Connecticut. Upon graduation in 1951 he attended the University of Heidelberg in Germany.
In 1954 he attended Penn State University Park where he became a part time student and part time instructor.
In 1955 at Penn State is when the Professor of German Albert Buffington got Earl to learn Pennsylvania German. He became very interested in it because it turned out to be the dialect spoken in the area of the Thine Bank where from came both of his parents. He would become perhaps the leading authority on the subject of Pennsylvania German. He remained at Penn State as a teacher of English, German, Pennsylvania German and Pennsylvania German History for almost 40 years until retiring in 1992. During his career as a writer, he had written 10 books on Pennies German. Numerous articles for the Pennsylvania German Society. He had a weekly article in the Schuylkill Haven Call. He continued to write up until 2023.
He was a great father and grandfather. A great husband. A great friend. And most of all. A great man!
Private cremation arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville
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He was the husband of Gwen (Glover) Wehr. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on August 13th of this year. Born in Summit Hill, he was a son of the late Leighton and Ruth (Hawk) Wehr.
He was a graduate of Summit Hill High School Class of 1960, a graduate of Texas Lutheran College Class of 1968 with a degree in Health and Physical Education, and then earned his Athletic Trainer certificate from West Chester University.
He was employed as a Physical Education and Health Teacher for Edna High School in Texas for 1 year, Carbon County School for Special Education for 1 year, Panther Valley High School for 3 years and Blue Mountain High School for 31 years until his retirement. He was an Athletic Trainer and Athletic Director at Blue Mountain. In 2004, he was awarded the Schuylkill League Athletic Director of the Year.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg where he was a member of the church council, church choir, the Men of St. Paul’s, Adult forum and also a Sunday school teacher.
He was a charter member of the Carbon County All Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted into its class of 2012.
He was a past Blue Mountain School Board Member. Tom was the founder of the Blue Mountain Sports Hall of Fame which he was inducted into and was also the founder of the Blue Mountain Track and Field Alumni Association.
He was a member of the Summit Hill Sons of the American Legion and a cofounder of the Summit Hill Historical Society.
Tom was not only a teacher, but also a coach. He coached wrestling, basketball, football and track and field at both the Panther Valley and Blue Mountain School Districts.
To know Tom was to know his passion for Penn State- he bled blue and white. Whether it was football in the fall or wrestling in the winter, he was a true fan through and through. Memorial Day held a special place in his heart and he was especially proud of the annual Patriotic Concert at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, a tradition he deeply valued. But more than anything, Tom loved his family. He was always there- at every game, every celebration, every important moment. Nothing brought him more joy than being surrounded by the people he loved, and his grandchildren were truly the light of his life.
Surviving along with his wife are daughters Tammy O’Donnell and her husband Kevin of Media, PA and Rebecca Miller and her husband Kenneth of Cressona, PA; a son Andrew Wehr of Sea Bright, NJ; grandchildren Kristen O’Donnell, Patrick O’Donnell, Thomas “TJ” Wagner, Victoria Wagner and Gavin Wehr; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a sister Evelyn Plechavy and brothers Russell, Frank, James, Robert, Donald, and John.
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, October 24, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 215 N. Warren St., Orwigsburg, PA 17961 with Rev. Michael Petrusky. Interment will be held in Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Summit Hill. Visitation is Thursday night 6-8 P.M. and Friday morning 9-9:45 A.M. in the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted in his name to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Blue Mountain Track and Field Alumni Association, or Summit Hill Historical Society.
These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
