Skook News Obituaries: February 2nd, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Ruth E. Kembel, 77, of Klingerstown, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Monday, January 26, 2026, at her residence. Born in Klingerstown, July 27, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Ivan and Doris (Stuck) Klinger. She attended Tri Valley Schools, and was employed over 30 years in the laundry of the Northern Dauphin Nursing and Rehabilitation Nursing Center, Millersburg. Ruth was a member of the Tri Valley Bible Church, Sacremento. Preceding her in death was her husband, Gary Kembel, passing on January 20, 2016.
Survivors
Daughter: Mary Jane wife of James Barnes, Barry Township
Son: Greg Kembel, Klingerstown
Son: Donald Kembel and his wife Kristina, Millersburg
Son: Ivan Kembel, Klingerstown
Grandchildren: Fantasia Barnes, Matthew Snyder and Fiancee Katie Boyer, Andrew Kembel, and Rebekah Kembel
Great Grandchildren: Sophia, Liam, Frank
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Ruth’s life, Friday, February 13, 2026, at 11 AM, in the Tri Valley Bible Church, 2131 PA Route 25, Valley View. Officiating will be Rev. David Thompson. Interment will follow at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, 60 Indiantown Gap Road, Annville. Visitation with family will begin at 10 AM until service time. The family requests memorials be made in Ruth’s name to the Tri Valley Bible Church, P.O. Box 4, Sacramento, PA., 17968. Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com to leave condolences. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Ruth E. Kembel, 77, of Klingerstown, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Monday, January 26, 2026, at her residence. Born in Klingerstown, July 27, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Ivan and Doris (Stuck) Klinger. She attended Tri Valley Schools, and was employed over 30 years in the laundry of the Northern Dauphin Nursing and Rehabilitation Nursing Center, Millersburg. Ruth was a member of the Tri Valley Bible Church, Sacremento. Preceding her in death was her husband, Gary Kembel, passing on January 20, 2016.
Survivors
Daughter: Mary Jane wife of James Barnes, Barry Township
Son: Greg Kembel, Klingerstown
Son: Donald Kembel and his wife Kristina, Millersburg
Son: Ivan Kembel, Klingerstown
Grandchildren: Fantasia Barnes, Matthew Snyder and Fiancee Katie Boyer, Andrew Kembel, and Rebekah Kembel
Great Grandchildren: Sophia, Liam, Frank
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Ruth’s life, Friday, February 13, 2026, at 11 AM, in the Tri Valley Bible Church, 2131 PA Route 25, Valley View. Officiating will be Rev. David Thompson. Interment will follow at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, 60 Indiantown Gap Road, Annville. Visitation with family will begin at 10 AM until service time. The family requests memorials be made in Ruth’s name to the Tri Valley Bible Church, P.O. Box 4, Sacramento, PA., 17968. Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com to leave condolences. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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Born in Camden, NJ on September 27, 1969, he was the son of Francis Lubas and Linda Sachs.
Francis was a graduate of Penn Saucken High School. He worked as a Foreman/542 Operator for the Railroad Construction Company SJ Paulsboro. Francis loved animals, working on cars, riding motorcycles, and cooking
In addition to his parents, Francis is survived by his companion Deborah Castellano and brothers: James and Edward Lubas.
Funeral Services and Interment will be held private.
The Robert A Evans Jr Funeral Home in Port Carbon in charge of arrangements.
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Thomas Yarnell, Jr. 51 of Pottsville, died Friday, January 23rd at home.
He was born on September 25, 1974, in Pottsville a son of Thomas and Anne Marie Gall Yarnell, Pottsville.
Tommy was a 1994 graduate of Pottsville Area High School.
He was a member of the former Mary Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert M. "Beasley" Yarnell, on July 12, 2024.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by aunts, uncles' and cousins.
Funeral Service will be held 11AM Monday, February 9th at the James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, with funeral home celebrant Jack L. Murray officiating. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 10AM until the time of services at the funeral. Interment will be in Queen of the Universe Cemetery, Peach Mountain, Pottsville.
Michael J. Anthony, 99, former Fountain Springs resident and Frackville businessman, passed away Monday, February 2, 2026, at the Fellowship Retirement Community, Whitehall, PA. Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com to leave condolences.
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He was born on September 25, 1974, in Pottsville a son of Thomas and Anne Marie Gall Yarnell, Pottsville.
Tommy was a 1994 graduate of Pottsville Area High School.
He was a member of the former Mary Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert M. "Beasley" Yarnell, on July 12, 2024.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by aunts, uncles' and cousins.
Funeral Service will be held 11AM Monday, February 9th at the James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, with funeral home celebrant Jack L. Murray officiating. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 10AM until the time of services at the funeral. Interment will be in Queen of the Universe Cemetery, Peach Mountain, Pottsville.
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The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, will announce funeral arrangements.
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Christine “Tina” Ackell, 77, of Frackville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 31st at Lehigh Valley Health Network–Muhlenberg, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Shenandoah, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Lucy (Savitsky) Grochowski. In addition to her parents, Tina was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Grochowski.
Tina is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Robert J. Ackell, Sr., Frackville; her loving children: Robert Ackell and his wife, Marcie, of Lavelle; Joseph Ackell and his wife, Lindsey, of Coatesville; and her daughter, Michelle Ackell of Wilkes-Barre. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Alissa, Brody, Brook, Hayden, Nolan, and Kellen, who were the light of her life. She is also survived by her eight nieces and nephews, each of whom she loved dearly and held close to her heart.
Tina was a devout member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville.
She was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah. Following graduation, she earned her IBM Keypunch Certificate from Ford School of Business in Pottsville. Tina dedicated 40 years of service to Mrs. T’s Pierogies in Shenandoah, where she worked on the production line until her retirement.
Deeply community- and youth-oriented, Tina was actively involved in youth sports throughout the years. She was a familiar and welcoming presence at the Little League concession stand, which she ran for many seasons while her children played baseball. In her spare time, Tina enjoyed baking, creating ceramic paintings, and proudly collecting elephant figurines, a hobby that reflected her fondness for meaningful keepsakes. She was also a devoted and loving sitter to her cherished “grand-dogs,” whom she adored as part of the family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 14th at 11 a.m. from St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 49 N. Line St., Frackville with Fr. Guency Isaac, pastor, as the celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation at the church on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of mass. Interment will follow in Annunciation BVM Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in Tina's name, to Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 to support students served through the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program. Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 (attention Business Office) PO Box 130 Mar Lin, PA 17951.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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Born in Shenandoah, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Lucy (Savitsky) Grochowski. In addition to her parents, Tina was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Grochowski.
Tina is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Robert J. Ackell, Sr., Frackville; her loving children: Robert Ackell and his wife, Marcie, of Lavelle; Joseph Ackell and his wife, Lindsey, of Coatesville; and her daughter, Michelle Ackell of Wilkes-Barre. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Alissa, Brody, Brook, Hayden, Nolan, and Kellen, who were the light of her life. She is also survived by her eight nieces and nephews, each of whom she loved dearly and held close to her heart.
Tina was a devout member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville.
She was a graduate of the former J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah. Following graduation, she earned her IBM Keypunch Certificate from Ford School of Business in Pottsville. Tina dedicated 40 years of service to Mrs. T’s Pierogies in Shenandoah, where she worked on the production line until her retirement.
Deeply community- and youth-oriented, Tina was actively involved in youth sports throughout the years. She was a familiar and welcoming presence at the Little League concession stand, which she ran for many seasons while her children played baseball. In her spare time, Tina enjoyed baking, creating ceramic paintings, and proudly collecting elephant figurines, a hobby that reflected her fondness for meaningful keepsakes. She was also a devoted and loving sitter to her cherished “grand-dogs,” whom she adored as part of the family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 14th at 11 a.m. from St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 49 N. Line St., Frackville with Fr. Guency Isaac, pastor, as the celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation at the church on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of mass. Interment will follow in Annunciation BVM Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in Tina's name, to Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 to support students served through the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program. Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 (attention Business Office) PO Box 130 Mar Lin, PA 17951.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
