Skook News Obituaries: December 14th, 2025
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Pottsville, PA on August 4th, 1942, his passion for horses began almost as soon as he could walk. Growing up in a busy household in Deer Lake, he was the only brother to six spirited sisters, a dynamic that surely fostered his gift of gab.
David's life was deeply intertwined with the equine world. He was the proud owner & operator of Idle Acres Riding Stables in Auburn, where he mentored countless riders. He loved competing in Team Pennings and Ranch Sorting whenever he could, earning the nickname "The Legend" among his peers for his unwavering dedication to the sport.
His career consisted of operating heavy equipment specializing in pipelines. As well as a local Ferrier and horse trainer.
He is preceded in death by his parents Luther Griesel and Bertha Reese, of Deer Lake, PA. Also, his sisters Jane Faust, Nancy Miller, Ruth Norris, & Barbara Filippelli.
David is survived by his spouse of 25 years Sandy Griesel. He is also survived by his daughters; Kelly Heffron wife of Jamie Heffron of Crofton, MD and Kerry Freed wife of Jeremy Freed of Santa Rosa Beach, FL. As well as his grandchildren, Owen, Landon, and Hadley Heffron, and sisters, Carol Eckroth and Cheri Tobin. David is also survived by his step-daughter, Lauren Saenger of Spring Brook, PA.
He also leaves behind the peaceful pastures of Idle Acres, where his spirit will forever ride.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date. Grabowski Funeral Home is entrusted with the services. Memories and condolences can be shared at http://www.grabowskifuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests to make donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital in the memory of David.
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Christine wanted to be remembered as someone who loved her family, her extended family, and her friends. She was an amazing mother and grandmother, and her grandchildren’s friends knew her best for her legendary macaroni and cheese, a dish she proudly made and shared, earning a reputation that stretched far beyond her own family. She delighted in cheering on her children and grandchildren at sporting events and theater productions, and she happily assisted her daughters in setting up their first apartments, always leaving behind her thoughtful touches. Commemorating the impact of Penn State University on her family, a brick in the family’s honor is in place at the Hintz Family Alumni Center in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Her life was filled with traditions, humor, and everyday joys. She played cards regularly, found delight in Scrabble by creating obscure seven-letter words or setting up plays for others, enjoyed crossword puzzles and ancestry research, and was an avid doll collector. She loved hard shell crabs, raised donuts, sewing, crocheting, and camping in Cherrystone Campground in Cheriton, Virginia. Many were lucky enough to receive one of her crocheted afghans, cherished forever as a symbol of her warmth and care. She could get a stain out of just about anything, jarred tomatoes with pride, insisted that food should never be served ice cold and loved dining out. She debated the merits of hard versus soft ice cream, enjoyed eggs over easy—especially when they had double yolks—and liked her steaks medium rare, or so she thought. She was an avid basketball fan, with Villanova being her favorite team. Much to the surprise of many due to her lack of height, she was a point guard on her high school team.
Christine gave generously of her time and talents. She was a Girl Scout leader, a member of the North Schuylkill Lady Spartan Basketball Booster Club, the Elks Ladies Auxiliary, and a supporter of the American Cancer Society. After one of her grandchildren was born 16 weeks prematurely, she began sewing fleece blankets for kangaroo care, donating them to hospitals so other families could share in the comfort she valued. She taught her grandchildren the intricacies of crabbing, passing down techniques for catching crabs at her happy place, Ocean City, Maryland. She enjoyed lottery tickets, reading, seeing movies, and running Chris’s Candle and Gift Shop, a venture ahead of its time that reflected her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Christine was known as the queen of the shortcut, able to find a quicker way to almost anywhere. She fostered the importance of independence in her children and grandchildren, and she never missed an opportunity to support them in all their endeavors. She had a heart of gold, and as her loved ones often said, “Everybody loves Grandma.”
Christine’s legacy is one of warmth, resilience, and love. She leaves behind a family and community who will forever cherish her memory, her shortcuts, her afghans, her laughter, and her unwavering support.
Christine is survived by her devoted husband, Peter, and their five daughters: Ann Zuber (Frank Kurek III) of Claymont, Delaware; Helene Z. Slocum (Jeff) of Minnetonka, Minnesota; Christine P. Fannick (Michael Sorbera) of Hamilton, New Jersey; Petrina Z. Zaraszczak (Eli) of Plymouth, Minnesota; and Emily N. Zuber (Matthew Kuppich) of Minnetonka, Minnesota. She was the proud grandmother of seven; Frank Kurek IV (Ann), Hadley and Jefferson Zuber Slocum (Helene), Emily Fannick and Ashley Dunkelberger (Christine), Petro and Jay Zuber Zaraszczak (Petrina). She is also survived by her brother, Joseph Brylewski of North Carolina, her sister, Patricia Obrzut of Ohio and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Vincent, Edward and Leonard and her sister Eleanor Murphy.
A private service will be conducted in accordance with the family’s wishes. Friends and loved ones are invited to share photos and memories with the family online at markjhummelfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, 243 S. Middle St., Frackville, PA. 17931 (Office Address), in Christine’s memory.
MARK J HUMMEL FUNERAL HOME, FRACKVILLE, has charge of arrangements
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Preceding her in death in addition to her parents were her husband Louis A. Flaim Sr., 2 sons Paul and Kenneth "Fuzzy" and 2 sisters Delores Sessoms and Louise Matta. Surviving are her children Louis A. Flaim Jr. and his wife Brenda, Linda Fegley and her companion Tom Sendatch, Nancy Mega, Edward Flaim and his wife Kimberly, Anthony D. "Tony" Flaim, Eric Flaim and Gail Flaim as well as grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to call and visit with the family on Saturday from 9:30 AM to Noon at David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City.
A religious service will commence at 10 AM with the Rev. Kevin P. Gallagher officiating. Interment will be private.
Contributions in her name to Hillside SPCA would be appreciated by the family and will be accepted at the visitation.
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Born in New Boston, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Stetz Kurpell. She was a member of Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville.
Regina was a member and past president of the Frackville American Legion Post 398 Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending time doing arts, crafts and also tending to her garden where she loved planting a variety of different flowers.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Deborah Thomas; her son Francis Kenesky; her brothers: Edward, Thomas, Walter, Frank, John and Joseph; her sisters: Rose and Florence.
Regina is survived by her grandson, Daniel A. Thomas, great-granddaughter Haley Thomas and by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville with Fr. Leo Maletz. A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday from 9 a.m. until time of service. Interment will be in Saint Casimir's Catholic Cemetery, Mahanoy City.
Sign the guest book, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville, is in charge of arrangements.
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She was born to the late Charles and Rose (Bolusky) Zaremba on November 17, 1937. After graduating from Mahanoy Twp. High School and Geisinger Hospital School of Nursing, she enjoyed a long and varied nursing career. She retired from the Philadelphia V.A. Hospital in 1994 and moved back to her homestead in Ringtown Valley.
Beginning at a young age, Celeste displayed a natural talent for drawing and painting which she refined throughout her lifetime. She was a member of the Schuylkill County Art League where she made many friends. She has painted a vast number of canvases and slates; many of which she would sell or give away. She has remained active in these endeavors, along with gardening and reading.
In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her husband Bruce A. Johnson and their son Bruce P. Johnson, and her brothers Charles Zaremba and William Zaremba.
She is survived by her grandson Joseph Harrison, sisters-in-law Lisa Zaremba and Adele Zaremba, niece Irene Lipski, nephews Christopher Zaremba and Daniel Zaremba, and several cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend A Funeral Mass which will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 10 AM at St Mary’s Catholic Church, North Center Street in Ringtown. Everyone is asked to meet at the church for 10 AM.
Celeste will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Bruce, at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville during private services.
The Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, Ringtown, has provided Celeste's family with their services during this time of need.
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Born in Pottsville on December 24, 1934, Adella was the daughter of the late Irvin A. and Viola M. (Hodgson) Rhode. She was the widow of Vernon F. Dillman, Sr.
Adella spent her entire life in Schuylkill County, working as a waitress at Roman Delight in the Fairlane Village Mall and other local eateries. She was known there — and everywhere she went — for her kindness, her smile, and her quick wit. She had a warm presence and an infectious laugh that made people feel at ease.
Family was at the center of Adella’s life. She is survived by her daughter, Christine; her sons, Brian and Tony; and her brother, Raymond. She also leaves behind grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a large extended family she deeply loved.
She was preceded in death by her children Sharon, Linda, Scott, Gary, George, and Vernon and her siblings Bob, Bud, Dolly, Jack, Charlie, and Ethel Mae.
A religious service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 16th, at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. in Orwigsburg, with Rev. Brian Reading officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM. Interment at Zion’s Red Church Cemetery will be private.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville