Skook News Obituaries: January 26th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Shenandoah on May 14, 1937, she was the youngest of twelve children born to Alex and Helen (Budnar) Macker. She was the last surviving member of her family.
“Rosie” was known for her fun-loving personality. In her earlier years, before her many illnesses, she was the life of the party! She never drank a single martini, but you wouldn't know it because she knew how to have a good time! While living in Philadelphia, she taught dance lessons at the Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Our mom loved to dance, loved Pennsylvania Polka, and liked to polka around the house on South Jardin Street on Sundays. At local block parties back in her day, she would grab a partner and polka until the band stopped playing.
Rose loved animals, but was especially a cat lover. Over the years, she adopted many strays, in addition to her own beloved pets. We believe they're waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge, including Gypsy, Ellie, Chrissy, Tabby, Buffy, Sabrina, Sammy, and Harry. She also loved her grand dog, Molly, very much. We know they were all there to greet her in Heaven.
Rose was a housewife and mother, but before marrying her husband, Leonard, she worked in Philadelphia for Bell Telephone, and later in life, she enjoyed working part-time at Capitol Food Store, and made many lifelong friends. She volunteered her time in the cafeteria at Father Walter Ciszek School, appropriately so since Rose had a great devotion to Father Ciszek. She was also a long-time member of the choir of St. Casimir’s Church in Shenandoah.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Leonard Klocek, in 2010, an infant son, Leonard, in 1967; sisters, Sophie Bugdan, Helen Lebiedziewski, Anne Macker; brothers, Alex Macker, Peter Macker, Michael Macker, Walter Macker, and others who passed before Rose was born in 1937.
She leaves behind her two loving daughters, Susan, at home, and Karen (Sugrue) and her husband Bill, Mount Carmel; a granddaughter, Emily Sugrue, and many nieces and nephews from the Klocek side and the Macker side. She also leaves behind her beloved cat, Pickles.
We will miss Rose terribly, especially because we were not prepared for her to leave so soon. Our faith helps us in knowing we will see her again one day.
The family wishes to thank the many doctors and nurses who cared for her the past year after her diagnosis of COPD. Special thanks to Dr. Mavesh Shabbir of LVHN Pottsville,
Stacey Moyer, LCSW of Pottsville, and Cindy Malacusky at the Shenandoah Manor, for their kindness to our mom. We would like to thank these very special neighbors and friends: Lenny Wierzalis and Anne Andricks, and Suzie and Jack Butler. To Chris Kowalski of Stutz Funeral Home, Mount Carmel, for his kindness in our time of need, and Monsignor Francis Karwacki of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.
As per Rose's wishes, the services will be private. At a later time, her daughters will host a celebration of life to honor her memory.
Memorial donations may be made to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901, Shenandoah Community Ambulance, 229 North Main Street, Shenandoah, PA 17976, or The Father Walter Ciszek Prayer League, c/o 108 West Cherry St., Shenandoah, PA 17976 to advance his canonization to sainthood.
Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 South Market Street, Mt. Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, Supervisor and Christopher L. Kowalski, Funeral Director are in care of the arrangements. To offer condolences to Rose’s family, please sign the guestbook at www.stutzfuneralhome.com.
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Kit was beautiful inside and out. Born on April 13, 1933 in Pine Knot, Pennsylvania to Bridget McAvoy Purcell and Michael Purcell.
A true lady. At seventeen, she was the youngest Supervisor at the Bell Telephone Company. She and her Bell girls remained friends for many years. After Kit married her good husband, Joseph Casey, they settled down and raised a family of three, sending all three to college and law school.
Kit was known as an excellent scratch baker and cook, much like her beloved Mother, Bridget Purcell. She will always be remembered for her beautiful face, kindness, classy style and her devotion to her family.
She is predeceased by her husband, Joseph Casey, her granddaughter Hope Casey, her parents, Bridget and Michael Purcell, her sister Ann Marie Foran, and her brother, Thomas Purcell.
She is survived by her three children, Maria Casey, Michael Casey (John), and Patrick Casey (Susan).Kit is also survived by her grandson, Quinn Casey (Julia), and her granddaughter, Neave Casey.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, January 29, 2926 at St. michaelf the Archangel Church of the Holy Family Parish in Minersville, . A Visitation will be held from 9 am-10:30 am in Chapel of St. Michael’s.
Donations may be made to the Sisters of Saint Joseph: https://developmentssj.givecloud.co/fundraising/ forms/PYEVM6DX or Development Office, Mount Saint Joseph Convent, 9701 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc. Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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Robert M. Zaretskie, 81, of Frackville, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at the Geisinger Medical Center surrounded by his family.
Robert was born on November 9, 1944, a son of the late Albert and Alice (Palermo) Zaretskie. He was a 1963 graduate of the former Shenandoah Catholic High School and then entered the US Army. He was a lifelong salesman, beginning at his father's car dealership, the former Albert Chevrolet in Shenandoah before venturing out on his own. He then worked as a service manager for the former Sears Automotive in Frackville and even sold electronics for Sears prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Frackville BPOE and enjoyed spending time with his family enjoying the outdoors, attending his grandson's sporting events and golfing.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Jane Pejokavich.
Robert is survived by two sons, Michael R. Zarrett and his wife, Susan of Bloomsburg and Robert M. Zaretskie, Jr., and his wife Jessica, of Lake Wynonah. Four grandchildren, Ian, Hailey, Elliot and Blaize survive along with a great granddaughter Anya, along with his longtime companion, Janet Baginski. He is also survived by his two brothers, Albert Zaretskie and Jimmy Zaretskie; five nieces, Susie, Stephanie, Jane, Jamie, Larissa and one nephew, Albert.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday afternoon, February 1st, 2026 from 2-4 PM at the Walukiewicz Oravtiz Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah.
Robert will be laid to rest at St. John's Ukrainian Cemetery in Frackville during private family services at a later date.
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She was born on November 16, 1935, in Shamokin, a daughter of the late William Mays and the late Vera (Powell) Mays.
She was a member of Salem Church of Rough and Ready.
Over her life she babysat seventy-eight children in the Pitman area.
Her husband, Charles H Hepler, to whom she was married for almost sixty years passed away in 2015. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers and four sisters
She is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Bruce) Davis of Newville and Judy (Joseph) Buranich of Selinsgrove; sons, Kevin Hepler of State College and Brian Hepler and husband Kevin Trainor of Fort Lauderdale, FL; grandsons Andrew Buranich, Maj. Jason (Ashley) Buranich, and Tyler Buranich; great grandchildren, Cecelia and Desmond Buranich ; step grandchildren Jason Davis, Julie Lebo, and Sarah Finkenbinder; step great grandchildren, Tayor Keen, Trent and Alison Davis, and Jarett, Ellie, and Wyatt Finkenbinder; step great great grandson, Elias Keen; and a sister, Joyce Weikel.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Salem Church of Rough and Ready on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 11 am with Rev Mark Rothermel officiating.
Visitation will be held from 10 am to 11 am at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or to your local public library.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
