Skook News Obituaries: January 15th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Gretchen battled Alzheimer’s Disease for many years with both grace and dignity, but it never stopped her from dancing, smiling and laughing with her family, friends and caregivers. While her body may have broken down, her unwavering spirit remained steadfast. Gretchen was the epitome of strength, facing life’s challenges with unwavering determination and resolve. Her ability to navigate difficulties with grace, class and courage inspired all who were fortunate enough to witness it. In times of adversity, Gretchen held her head high and faced challenges head on, a testament to her inner strength and character.
Gretchen was a New Year’s baby born January 1, 1949, in Pottsville, a daughter of the late Wilbur “Pete” Ulmer and Margaret “Peg” (Rothermel)) Ulmer.
Gretchen was the Salutatorian of the Minersville Area High School class of 1966 and continued her post-secondary academics at Kutztown University, earning Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with Honors in Mathematics in 1970. She then traveled to Germany and studied at the University of Innsbruck in Austria. She dedicated 37 years of service as an educator at Schuylkill Haven Area School District.
Upon retirement in 2008, her passion for education and service continued for the next 10 years as a Board of Director for the Minersville Area School District. In her five decades in education, she made an ever-lasting impact and helped shape the future of countless children’s lives throughout her community. Gretchen’s passion and dedication to education yielded precedence to only one thing: the love of her family.
She was a dedicated mother first and foremost to her two sons Jesse and Jared. Unfortunately, due to her deteriorating health, she never had a chance to realize her role as grandmother to her two young granddaughters Harlow and Isla. A role she so deeply looked forward to later in life. Her legacy and example will be passed on to them through the innumerable stories and memories of her family and friends.
Independence was a hallmark of Gretchen’s character. She lived life on her own terms, fiercely embracing the freedom to carve her own path and make decisions that stayed true to her strong, determined spirit. Gretchen was a shining example of self-reliance, showing everyone around her the true value of holding firm to one’s principles and navigating life with unwavering resolve and inner strength. Gretchen’s life was enriched by a deep love of traveling, as she eagerly explored new places, cultures and landscapes. Her garden was a true labor of love and source of immense pride. She tended it with care and skill, creating a vibrant landscape of flowers, vegetables, and greenery that brought beauty and tranquility to her home.
Her beloved pets were constant companions and sources of joy, offering unconditional love and comfort through every season of life. They were family in every sense, filling her days with love and playful moments. She cherished these special bonds deeply.
A devoted Phillies fan, Gretchen cheered passionately through every game and enjoyed taking bus trips to Citizens Bank Park. Gretchen was also a familiar and enthusiastic presence at Minersville High School athletic events, proudly supporting the Battlin’ Miners with unwavering school spirit. Gretchen’s passion for sports was made even more special because she shared it together with the love of her life Paul.
Together they created countless cherished memories cheering on their favorite teams. Gretchen was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Minersville serving as Treasurer for many years. Throughout her life she embodied the fundamental Christian values of love, forgiveness, faith, humility, generosity, integrity, grace, service and perseverance
. She served as Secretary for the Minersville Area School District and Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 School Boards before declining to seek reelection due to her illness.
In addition to her parents, preceding her in death was a brother Claude Ulmer, a daughter (stillborn), and the love of her life Paul Kacinecz. She is survived by a son Jesse Sabitsky, wife Ashley, of Duncannon, PA; a son Jared Sabitsky, wife Chrissy, of Cressona, PA; granddaughters Harlow and Isla Sabitsky.
A private Celebration of Life service will be held at the convenience of the family
. Internment will follow at Mt. Peace Cemetery, Minersville. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Hillside SPCA, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Minersville Little League, a program her father and uncle Carl Ulmer helped build together from the ground up and of which she remained immensely proud.
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. Born on July 26, 1925, in Heckscherville, Anna was the eldest daughter of Francis X. and Julia (Curran) O’Brien. She was raised in the traditions of her Irish heritage and Catholic faith, attending St. Kieran’s School and Church, where those values took firm root and remained central throughout her life. Later, she became a devoted member of St. Michael the Archangel Church of the Holy Family Parish, Minersville
. Anna was the beloved wife of the late Nicholas Kozura, Sr. to whom she was married for 50 wonderful years.
Prior to their marriage, she worked at the Jacob Boltz Knitting Mill in Pottsville. After marrying Nick, she devoted herself to raising their seven children and creating a home defined by love, care, and constancy. In 1970, she returned to the mill, working until her retirement to care for her ailing husband—a testament to their love. Family was the heart of Anna’s life. Being a mother was her greatest joy, and that love grew to include her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom she adored.
Her home was always open and welcoming. Even in her final years, she delighted in having everyone’s favorite snacks or drinks on hand—a simple but powerful expression of her love. She enjoyed cooking and baking, gardening, adding thoughtful touches to her home, and sharing meals at Palermo’s Restaurant. She had a lively, “ready-for-anything” spirit. Anna’s faith sustained her through every season of life. She faithfully prayed the rosary and read from her well-worn prayer books daily, and, when no longer able to attend Mass in person, found peace watching daily Mass at home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas Kozura, Sr.; daughter, Carol A. Rosenberger; son, Robert T. Kozura; sons-in-law Woody J. Leach and Ronald Rosenberger; her sisters Helen O’Brien, Alma Stramitis, and Kathleen “Kitty” Androshick; and her brothers Robert, Francis, Joseph, Thomas, James, Cyril, and John O’Brien.
She is survived by her children: Nicholas J. (Rosemary), Kathleen Leach (widow of Woody); Ronald (Dorothy); Sharon Laychock (Peter); Sandra Czulada (Chip) and daughter-in-law Kathryn Kozura (widow of Robert). She will be lovingly remembered as “Nan” by her grandchildren: Brian Rosenberger, Bethann Rosenberger, Josh Laychock (Jillian), Eric Laychock (Ashley), Kristopher Kozura, Anthony Leach (companion Jennifer), Jennifer Vaughn (Kyle), Bret Kozura (Alyssa), Abby Czulada, Camilla Diament (Michael), and Hank Kozura; and her great-grandchildren: Sophia and Ava Vaughn; Catherine, Nicholas, and Lucas Laychock; Carmine and Lorenzo Laychock; Everett and baby Diament expected soon; and Jack and Jayne Kozura.
Anna will be deeply missed and forever loved by all who knew her. It is impossible for us to imagine our lives without her in it
. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on January 21, 2026, at 10:30 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Church of the Holy Family Parish, Minersville with Rev. Christopher M. Zelonis officiating.
Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Anna’s name to St. Michael the Archangel Church of the Holy Family Parish, Minersville 538 Sunbury Street, Minersville, PA 17954.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born in Plymouth, Massachusetts on December 21, 1957 to William H. Penn and Ann (Farrar) Giles Penn.
William “Gregory“ moved to Cape Cod in 1970. He attended Nauset Regional Middle School, Nauset Regional High School where he excelled in track, breaking several records. He then transferred to Cape Cod Regional Technical School, where he learned the trade of electrician.
Gregory moved to Martha’s Vineyard where he spent most of his life working as an electrician until 2020 before moving to Minersville, Pennsylvania with his sister Stephanie E. Penn and her partner, Joseph P Connaghan. Greg enjoyed motorcycles, camping, concerts, and fixing things.
Greg is survived by 2 brothers Bradley H Penn and Virginia “Ginny “ “Pelj”, AZ and ID, Bruce H Penn and Deborah, 1 sister Stephanie E Penn and her partner Joseph Connaghan, a son, William Wesley Penn of Barnstable, MA, and two nieces and a nephew as well as great-nieces and a nephew
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc, 901 Centre St, Ashland PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born on June 3, 1938 in Ravine, he was a son of the late Theodore and Naomi Shadle Rittenbaugh.
He was a 1956 graduate of Pine Grove High School.
Billy worked as a Forklift Operator for Guilford Mills in Pine Grove.
He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Pine Grove.
Billy loved fishing, helping people out and had a great history of Ravine that he enjoyed sharing with everyone.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Betty Ann Strouphauer Rittenbaugh; two brothers, Leslie Rittenbaugh and Robert Rittenbaugh; and a sister, Alice Donmoyer.
Surviving are a brother, Dale "Pete" Rittenbaugh of Pine Grove; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., with Pastor Ronald Stump, Jr. officiating. There will be a viewing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Reedsville Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either the Oak Grove Brethren Chapel, c/o Rebecca Stump, 384 Mountain Rd., Pine Grove, PA 17963 or a charity of your choice.
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Born in Lykens, on Friday, November 3, 1961, a son the late Dean N. and Patricia Leitzel Bender.
Dean was a 1980 graduate of Williams Valley High School. He served for 13 years with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
He recently retired from Home Depot, Lebanon, where he was a department manager. He received numerous awards over the years and was employee of the month multiple times.
Dean was a very active member of the Orwin Fire Company, where he served as Fire Chief for over 36 years. He was also a Schuylkill County fire marshal.
As Dean would say, "If you can think it, you can do it." There was nothing he could not fix. He always said that he wanted to learn and do everything possible, which he definitely accomplished.
Without a doubt, his favorite place was his cabin. He built the cabin from the ground up, and it truly was his happy place, enjoying every minute spent there. Dean was an avid hunter, always appreciating what nature had to offer. He enjoyed his vacations to the island Eleuthera. He could often be found doing scratch off tickets. Dean was also a huge animal lover. He even had his "little farm," raising everything from chickens, goats, Guinea pigs, and more. Dean will be remembered for his great storytelling about past experiences and his one of a kind sense of humor.
Dean is survived by his high school sweet heart, Susan Dimon Bender to whom he was married 42 years; his daughter, Leah Michael and her husband Jason; his son, Mitchel Bender; two grandsons, Brandon and Kyle Brew.
Following Dean's wishes there will be no formal services.
Please omit flowers. Donations in Dean's memory can be made to Compassion in the Valley, 9 N Hand Street, Tower City, PA 17980.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City has been entrusted with Dean's arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
