Skook News Obituaries: November 7th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Morristown, NJ on June 14, 1963, he was the son of the late Albert and Bette Ann (Simmons) Simmons.
Dean was a graduate of Morristown High School, Class of 1981, where he played football, baseball, and wrestling. He then earned a Bachelors Degree in Business from University of Southern Connecticut in 1984. He served in the US Army National Guard. He worked as a DC Operations Manager at Big Lots Distribution. Dean loved being with his family, watching sports, especially the New York Yankees and Giants, and had a joy of music, but definitly couldn't dance.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother David Scott Simmons and a brother-in-law Jim Adair.
Dean is survived by his companion of 19 years, Colleen Turolis; his children: twins: Adrianna and Dean Simmons; Janessa Simmons and Sean Szarka; sisters: Bette Simmons and her husband Tyronne, Hollie Adair, and Wendi Simmons; brothers: Albert Simmons and his wife Melinda and Terry Simmons; and nieces and nephews..
A Memorial Service will be held at the Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon at 7PM on Wednesday, November 19th, with Pastor Jack Murray officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with the family on Wednesday evening from 5-7PM at the Funeral Home.
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Margaret Ann Diercks, 84, of Auburn, passed away Wednesday, November 5th, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - E. Norwegian St., Pottsville.
Born in Palmerton, on January 13, 1941, a daughter of the late Caroline (Hari) and Arthur Flizack.
She was the widow of George Diercks.
She was a grocery store clerk at various locations.
She is survived by three children: Christine Denning, Auburn, Joseph Kromer, NJ, William Kromer, FL; 11 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 1 great, great grandchild.
Services will be held privately.
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She was born on Sunday, May 24, 1931, in Red Cross, a daughter of the late Edwin L Herb and the late Ida M (Rebuck) Herb.
Minnie worked in area garment factories prior to her retirement.
She was a member of Zion Lutheran "Klinger's" Church, Erdman.
She was also a member of theTri-Valley Senior Citizens and VFW Post 8237, Valley View.
Minnie enjoyed playing bingo and quilting with the ladies from her church.
Her husband, Earl I Starr, passed away in 2006. She was also preceded in death by twelve siblings.
She is survived by a son, Dennis E (Ursula) Starr of Valley View; a daughter, Donna D (companion Jim Mowery) Sitlinger of Valley View; grandson, David E (Becky) Schwalm of Hegins; granddaughter, Katrina L (Jay) Economy of Lavelle; great-grandson, Jacob D Schwalm; five great-granddaughters, Bryce R Schwalm, Karleigh N Economy, Josie R Economy; Aspyn C Schwalm, and Kensley P Economy; and many nieces and nephews;.
Private graveside services will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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Theresa was a 1980 graduate of Lower Moreland High School. She attended the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology in Willow Grove, PA, and the Empire Beauty School in Warminster, PA. She worked as a beautician, childcare assistant and as a homemaker.
In addition to Michael, her husband of 42 years, Theresa is survived by her daughter, Kelly Anne Schmal, wife of Ryan Murray, of Baltimore, MD; a son, Justin Louis Schmal, husband of Kara Tebeau, of Olympia, WA; two sisters, Denise, widow of Gregory J. Nowak; Karen, wife of Timothy Weidner; three brothers, Gregory deGroot-Maggetti, husband of Marlene, Thomas Maggetti, husband of Susan and James Maggetti.
Theresa is also survived by her grandchildren Finnegan Murray, Thaddeus Murray, Leona Schmal and beloved nieces and nephews.
Theresa was preceded in death by her infant children Daniel Ryan and Kristin Elise.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Orwigsburg, on Saturday November 15 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Theresa Schmal may be made to "Lehigh Valley Hospice" at the Lehigh Valley Health Network and addressed to Lehigh Valley Health Network , Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 1883, Allentown, PA 18105 or by visiting support.lvhn.org.and selecting the hospice fund as beneficiary.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
