Skook News Obituaries: November 3rd, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Ringtown on September 10, 1935, he was a son of the late Francis and Getha (Zimmerman) Houser. He was a retired truck driver for the former Wenco Windows in Ringtown, and had embarked on a long time second career as a road crew worker for Union Township, where he was always proud of doing things the right way. Emmy was also a veteran of the US Army.
Emmy was a former member of the Ringtown Lions Club, the Shenandoah Fish and Game Club and the Park Crest Fish and Game Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing with his grandson, golfing and was an avid gardener. He enjoyed watching the Yankees and Dallas Cowboys, and was a Wheel Horse tractor enthusiast who enjoyed restoring and working on his machines.
Emmy enjoyed nothing more than his Sunday valley drives with his sweetheart and wife of 64 years, Anna (Mooney) Houser, who survives him, along with a son Dale of Frackville, and a daughter Lynn, wife of Joe Yotko of Ringtown.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Joseph and wife Amy; Alyssa and Luke; Christina and husband Rick; Josh; Angie and Dale, Jr. and wife Chelsea. Ten great grandchildren also survive, Emma, Bryce, Sophie, Alexsys, Max, Brielle, Matthew, Savannah, Cameron and Madelyn. A sister, Marcella Houser, along with nieces and nephews also survive.
Emmy was preceded in death by a son, Dave Houser, a sister and several brothers.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, 412 West Main Street, Ringtown, on Thursday, November 6th, 2025 at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Wednesday evening from 6-8 PM and again on Thursday morning from 10-11 AM at the funeral home.
Emmy will be laid to rest at St. John's Memorial Park immediately following the service.
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Valarie “Val” A. Schreck, 72, formerly of Ashland passed away on October 27, 2025 at her home in Cockeysville, MD. Born in Danville on February 21, 1953, Val was the daughter of Helen Marie (Ross) Reidler and the late John C. Schreck.
Valarie graduated from North Schuylkill High School in 1971. She received her undergraduate degree from Mansfield University and later a master’s degree in speech pathology from Penn State University. After beginning her professional career as a special education teacher, she focused her later endeavors as a speech pathologist for rehabilitation centers and as a private consultant.
Val enjoyed spoiling her nieces and nephews, who adored her. She was a treasured friend to many who counted on her love and support personally and professionally. Val was also a loving dog mom to her pampered puppies, Otto, Daisy and Winnie.
Valarie is survived by her mother Helen Marie Reidler, Lancaster, PA; brother John “Jack” Schreck (Mary Ann), State College, PA; brother Thomas C. Schreck (Kathie), Catawissa, PA; brother Charles “Chuck” Schreck (Carole), Baltimore, MD; 3 nephews and 4 nieces. She was preceded in death by her father John C. Schreck and stepfather Paul G. Reidler.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Philip the Apostle Church Roman Catholic Church, 2111 Millersville Pike, Lancaster PA 17603. A visitation for family and friends will be held in the church Friday morning from 10:00-11:00 AM. Interment will be at private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Maryland SPCA online atwww.mdspca.org.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc, 901 Centre St, Ashland PA 17921 have been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Erma was born on May 31, 1927 in Pitman, Schuylkill County, PA, a daughter of Allen Lincoln Snyder and Ida Grace (Erdman) Snyder.
She appreciated having grown up on the family farm, which developed her work ethic, and attending the one room school house in the Mahantongo Valley, where one teacher taught all eight grades. She went on to graduate from the Hegins Township High School, Class of 1944.
She married Leroy F. Morgan, also of Pitman, in 1950 at Zion E.C. Church, and together they decided to make the move to Lansdale, PA in 1956.
Most of her working career was spent at North Penn Hospital where she did medical transcription in their Diagnostic Imaging Department. Though her job was challenging at times, she found satisfaction in fulfilling the needs of people.
Erma enjoyed the simple things in life … blossoming apple trees, handmade quilts, and ice cream! Her hobbies included stitchery, rides in the country, collecting redware pottery, and attending P. Buckley Moss conventions and collecting her art work.
An active member of Grace Mennonite Church in Lansdale for almost 70 years, Erma was the church's oldest member until her recent passing. At Grace, she served in various capacities and enjoyed the fellowship with others in the Good Fellowship and Berean Sunday School classes. Having accepted Jesus as her savior at an early age, she lived her life with Christ at the center.
In addition to her parents, Erma was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Morgan in 2004, her brother, Elwood R. Snyder, and nephew William A. Snyder.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Moyer and husband, Dennis, of Harleysville; two granddaughters, Kelly (Brian) Bollinger of Quakertown; Katie (Stephen) Haberman of Collegeville; two great-grandchildren, Elias Bollinger and Grace Haberman; sister, Shirley Shadle of Fountain, and nephews, Roger Snyder, Dennis Shadle, and Bruce Shadle.
Graveside services and burial will be held at Zion Cemetery, Pitman, on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at noon, with Rev. Todd Wolfe officiating.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Grace Mennonite Church in Lansdale at a later date.
Memorial contributions in Erma's name can be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc. Valley View, PA is in charge of arrangements.
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Born on June 15, 1936 in Pine Grove, she was the daughter of the late Helen E. and John “Potter” F. Zerbe.
She was a member of Salem Hetzel’s Church, Pine Grove.
A 1954 graduate of Pine Grove High School, Joan went on to earn her teaching degree at Millersville University and dedicated the next 31 years of her life to public education - teaching English and German in the Pine Grove School District. A skilled seamstress, she made many of her work outfits from scratch!
A common thread that ran throughout Joan’s life was her love for animals. Growing up on a farm she drove workhorses in the fields. It’s during this time that she fell in love with riding her horse, Dimples. In her 40s, she participated in 4H and regional horse shows with her beloved Appaloosa, Corki, and taught younger generations how to care for and ride - her dog, Bruno, always just a few steps behind her on mountain trail rides.
That competitive spirit transferred to a new hobby when Joan’s midlife chapter marked her introduction into the world of dog obedience training. A long-time shepherd owner, Joan dedicated her time to training and showing Kasey and Maxx ; her efforts translated into a wall of ribbons from the American Kennel Club and an unbreakable bond with her animals. When she was not riding her horse or working with her dogs, Joan spent many leisure hours flying and traveling to many states with her late husband Chub and later RV camping- always with a good book - Joan was an avid reader. She also enjoyed water skiing and photography.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 59 years, Marlin "Chub" Moyer; a son, Dale A Moyer and her little brother, John Zerbe II.
Joan is survived by a son, Marlin M. Moyer II, Florida; two grandchildren, Marlin M. Moyer III, Florida, and Liane King and husband Stuart King, Indiana; a great-grandson Tiernan King; a sister, Elaine Moyer, of Pine Grove; nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, November 7, 2025 at Schuylkill Memorial Park, 75 Memorial Dr., Schuylkill Haven, with Pastor Paul Cronin officiating. A funeral procession to the cemetery will leave the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home in Pine Grove at 10:30 A.M. Anyone wishing to follow in the procession should be at the Funeral Home by 10:15 A.M. A celebration of Joan’s life will be held next spring at the home her husband built. Please bring any photos and stories you’d like to share.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations in her name go to the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA at 18 Wertz Dr, Pine Grove, PA 17963, or Red Creek Wildlife Center at 300 Moonhill Dr, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.
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Diane P. Heidlebaugh, 75, former Ashland and Girardville resident, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the Mountain View Rehabilitation and Senior Living Center, Coal Township. Born in the former Ashland Hospital, August 11, 1950, she was the daughter of the late Dean Troutman and Gertie Houser Raudenbush. Diane was a proud graduate of the former Ashland High School, class of 1968, and dedicated 24 years of service as a Lab Technician at the former Ashland State General Hospital in Fountain Springs. Diane was of the Protestant faith and found great comfort in her church community throughout her life. Most recently a member of Christ’s United Lutheran Church, Airport Road, Ashland. Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were brothers; Dean and George Troutman.
Surviving is her daughter Rhonda Heidlebaugh of Kulpmont, her son, Roger Heidlebaugh and his wife Jennifer of Ashland, her sister, Jennie Burns, and her brother Donald Troutman, both of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and her beloved grandchildren, T.J., Tyler, and Jenna, who brought her endless joy and pride. Diane will be remembered for her kindness, dedication to helping others, as well as the love she shared with her family, friends, and all who knew her.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Diane’s Life, November 7, 2025, at 11 AM, in Christ’s United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road, Ashland, PA, 17921. Officiating will be Rev. Brian Beissel, pastor. Interment will be Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs. A time of visitation in the church will begin at 10 AM. Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com to leave 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
