Skook News Obituaries: October 3rd, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born on April 1, 1919, in West Penn Township, she was the daughter of the late J. LeRoy Breiner and Florence Kutz Breiner. She was preceded in death by her husband, Newton L. Zehner who passed away on Dec. 1, 1990. They had been married for 5O years.
Althea was a 1936 graduate of Tamaqua High School, and a 1938 & 1964 graduate of Kutztown University with a B.S. in education. She was a teacher in the Tamaqua and West Penn area schools for 30 years.
She was a life- long member of St. Peter's Union, Mantzville. She was a former member of the Lutheran Church Council, taught adult Sunday school classes for 48 years, served as longtime secretary of the women's church group, was a Luther League advisor and participated in the long-range planning committee. She was president and secretary of the Tamaqua area Lutheran cluster and a former secretary of women of the ELCA of the Hazleton- Lehighton District.
She devoted many hours to community organizations by serving as Worthy Matron of former Pilgrim chapter#137 of Tamaqua Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the former West Penn Township Fair committee, a longtime member and former president and secretary of the West Penn Garden Club, and a former president and secretary of the West Penn Lioness Club. She was also an officer in the Schuylkill County Extension Association.
Because she was always interested in preserving the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, she was a member of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Association and was a board member of the former 3 county women's Fersommling and the schreiver (secretary) of the former New Ringgold Fersommling.
She had a passion for oil painting and was an annual exhibitor at the Tamaqua Art Leagues show with oil paintings and pen and ink drawings.
Althea and her husband enjoyed travelling extensively in the continental U.S. as well as Alaska and Hawaii, Canada, the Caribbean, and 16 countries in Europe.
Survivors include her daughter, Rebecca Zehner and her granddaughters: Jessica, wife of Keith Ryan and Stephanie, wife of Matthew Johnson, great-grandchildren, Amelia Johnson, Alexander Johnson, Isobel Ryan and Gabrielle Ryan and son in law Bruce Everett.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Deborah Everett.
Services will be held at St. Peter's Church, 184 St. Peter’s Rd, Tamaqua PA 18252 on Thursday October 9th at 11am with Rev. Clifford Herring officiating. Calling hours will be in the church from 9:30-11am. Interment will take place in the church cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter's Union Church, 184 St. Peter’s Road, Tamaqua, PA18252.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home is in charge arrangements.
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Richard was born in Shenandoah, Pa. on December 13, 1951, a son of the late Lena (Sposito) and Albert Kosmisky.
He was the widower of Deborah Ann (Maley) Kosmisky.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Auburn.
Richard was a Machinist by trade.
He was a Life Member Park Crest Fish & Game, and a member of Friedensburg Fish & Game.
In addition to his parents, and his wife Deborah, he was preceded in death by a brother, Albert Kosmisky. Brother-in-laws, Elvin Maley Jr. and Michael Maley. A niece, Meredith Barnhart.
Richard is survived by a sister, Carol, wife of Dan Reed, and a brother, George, husband of Jennie Kosmisky, Brother-in-law, Robert, husband of Angie Maley , Sister-in-law’s Colleen, wife of Robert Barnhart, Betsy Maley, & Linda Maley
He is also survived by numerous nieces & nephews including Desiree Spleen, Lauren Kasdano, Kristin Carmona, and Ryan Kosmisky.
A Visitation will be held 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 7th at Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc. in Minersville.
A Funeral Service will follow at 11:00 AM with Pastor Marie Meeks officiating.
Interment at Mount Peace Cemetery
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Martin J. Brennan, 80, a resident of Pottsville, passed away peacefully at home on October 2, 2025.
Martin will be laid to rest following military honors at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at 1 PM on Wednesday, October 15th, 2025.
A procession to the cemetery will depart the Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home at 12 noon.
The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville, is honored to assist Martin's family during their time of need.
Martin J. Brennan, 80, a resident of Pottsville, passed away peacefully at home on October 2, 2025.
Martin will be laid to rest following military honors at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at 1 PM on Wednesday, October 15th, 2025.
A procession to the cemetery will depart the Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home at 12 noon.
The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville, is honored to assist Martin's family during their time of need.
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Lewis “Jim” Dietrick, 82, of Ashland, passed away, with family by his side, Thursday, October 2, 2025, at his residence. Born in Mowry, December 28, 1942, he was the son of the late Lewis and Anna (Snyder) Dietrick. He attended the former Ashland High School, and was employed as a heavy equipment operator for the Gilberton Coal Company until his retirement. Jim loved hunting and target shooting. He was a member of the Lavelle Fish and Game Club, spending good times with his friends. He loved his family, taking great pride in helping to raise his grandson, Garrett, and all his grandchildren. Preceding him in death was his son; Ricky, passing June 5, 2007, a sister; Lois Geho, and brothers; Charles and Terry Dietrick
Survivors:
Wife: Lynn (Stabler) Dietrick, Married 62 years
Daughter: Denise Brennan, Auburn
Son: Kevin Dietrick, Chester Springs
Son: Brian Dietrick, Ashland
Son: Lewis Dietrick and his wife Joyce, Ashland
Sister: Marlene Walters, Ashland
Grandchildren: Garrett and Caleb Dietrick, Sara and Emily Brennan, and Heather Catizone
Nephews, Nieces, and many good friends
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Jim’s Life, Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 7 PM, in the Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, 1323 Centre St. Ashland. Officiating will be Pastor Susan Hocking of the Simpson United Methodist Church, Gordon. Visitation will begin at 5:30 PM 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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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
