Skook News Obituaries: March 20th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Anne was the daughter of the late Leonard J. Chaikowsky and Eleanor Wasley, and sister of the late Leonard Chaikowsky II (Lenny). She was the widow of Wilfred La Voie, who passed away in 2013.
Survivors include her second husband, Peter D. Skirmantas; their beloved cat, Sir Edmund; her cousin Judy Brazinsky of Kearny, New Jersey; four stepchildren and multiple step-grandchildren; and dozens of friends across the country, particularly in Pennsylvania and Southern California.
She was a member of the Shenandoah Valley High School class of 1975 and was inducted into the Shenandoah Valley School District Wall of Fame in June 2025. She attended Syracuse University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in television and radio production, and later earned her master's in education counseling. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in theatrical production management and worked as a teacher at several schools in the Los Angeles area, including the LA County High School for the Arts.
Her talents took her in many directions, including the production of audio recordings for the blind and reading-impaired, production stage management, and the establishment of programs within the Los Angeles school system. She supervised summer youth, employment, and training programs and organized incentive programs for at-risk teenagers with community leaders and merchants.
An avid reader, she was a dedicated volunteer at the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books for 27 years, at which she served as stage and production manager for panels with multiple authors and Hollywood personalities. An active member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, she served as that organization's “Hollywood connection” for a decade. In this role, she arranged for famed screenwriter Darryl Ponicsan, a Shenandoah native, to participate in the town’s sesquicentennial in 2016, then later assisted in establishing a room dedicated to Ponicsan in the Society's museum.
She wrote two books and gathered hundreds of photographs for the Arcadia Press' Images of America series: Shenandoah, which she wrote specifically for the town’s sesquicentennial, and Lithuanians of Schuylkill County. She also produced a special DVD about Shenandoah's St. George Church in an effort to save the church from the wrecking ball, and later co-authored St. George Church: A Photographic Remembrance following the razing of the church.
She was an avid supporter of the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, through which she established several scholarship funds for Shenandoah Valley High School graduating seniors.
Anne loved all animals and was especially fond of labs and golden retrievers, becoming a pet mom to her pups, Larwin, Chatsworth, and Nikita. In her later years, much to her own surprise, she learned to appreciate and love cats, doting on Sir Edmund and Lady Hillary, two kittens who found their way into her and her husband Peter's home and hearts.
But her first love was travel, and she crossed the North American continent many times, by air and land, and visited numerous European countries, including five trips to Lithuania. While in Lithuania, she taught the English language at the American English School (AMES) in Vilnius.
Throughout her life, Anne had been active and energetic, so her sudden passing after a short illness came as a shock to her family, friends, and the community. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at a time and location to be announced soon.
While flowers are appreciated, Anne asked that friends consider making donations to one of the following organizations: the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation (SACF, 216 S. Centre Street, Pottsville, PA 17901), the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society (GSAHS, 201 S. Main Street, Shenandoah, PA 17976), or the Lithuanian Heritage Museum (318 E. Centre Street, Shenandoah, PA 17976).
Friends and family may call Saturday March 28 From 11 am to 1 PM at the Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home, Mahanoy City.
Louis D. Truskowsky Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.truskowskyfuneralhome.com to sign the guest book, view the tribute video and send sympathy cards.
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Born in Tuscarora to the late Luke and Matilda Vlcek, Vincent was a man whose life was defined by service and an immense love for his family.
A proud U.S. Army veteran and member of the Summit Hill American Legion, Vincent retired from Coca-Cola Bottling in Hamburg, and was catholic by faith. While he was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, his greatest joy was his role as "Pappy." He never missed a chance to shower his grandchildren with affection or cheer them on at their various events.
Vincent is now reunited with his beloved wife, Beverly "Bev" (Flanagan) Vilcheck, and his nine siblings; sisters; Anna Yakob, Agnes Spezialetti, Kathryn Britrich, Julia Vlcek; brothers; John, Paul, Francis, Joseph and Steven Vilcheck.
His legacy lives on through his daughters, Jeanine J. Keich and her husband John, Kimberly A. Wehr and her husband of Daniel; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Keich-Herling and her husband Fritz, Rachel Hoke and her husband Andrew, Riley Weihbrecht and her husband Joe, Danny Wehr, Jessica Wehr, Erica Marsh; great grandchildren, Max Marsh, Dexter Marsh, and Bennettt Hoke. Nieces and nephews also survive Vincent.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
Interment with Military Honors bestowed will be held on Tuesday June 9, 2026 at 1:30 P.M. at Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pennsylvania
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Born October 19, 1946, he was the son of the late William and Adaline Gallo.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Pauline Gallo.
William was a graduate of Nativity BVM High School.
A longtime employee of Fabrical, he enjoyed spending his free time doing what he loved—hunting, fishing, and supporting local sporting events. He was also a dedicated member and former president of the Minersville Little League.
He is survived by his two children, Michael Gallo and William Gallo, husband of Shay Gallo; his beloved granddaughter, Lexie; his sister, Theresa Gallo; and his niece and goddaughter, Kathleen Rushannon Yourey.
In accordance with his wishes, no formal services will be held. Those who wish may honor his memory in their own way.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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Obituaries from the past 7 Days
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
