Skook News Obituaries: March 23rd, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Lehighton on April 24, 1969, Robert was the son of the late Tearle Lee and Susan Louise (Boger) Christman. A resident of the Laurel Run Apartment Complex, he was well-known for his generous spirit and the frequent help he offered his neighbors.
Robert was a man of simple pleasures and deep loyalties. A Catholic by faith, he was a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco 49ers. He also enjoyed collecting Indian memorabilia and cherished the quiet companionship of his beloved cat, "Buttercup." Above all, he was defined by his unwavering devotion to his family and friends.
He is survived by his sisters, Tammy Christman and her companion Edward Klementovic, Kathleen Christman and her companion Joseph Nortavage, Ellen Kelly and her husband Timothy, and Jennifer Christman and her companion David Ambrose, along with many nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550
A graveside services will be held on Monday March 30th at 1 o'clock P.M., Immaculate Conception R.C.C. Cemetery Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania 18229
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Born in Coaldale, Tom was a son of the late Harry and Mary (Kenney) Eroh. He was a 1955 graduate of Marian Catholic High School and a 1958 graduate of Stevens Trade School. Tom worked his entire career as a printer, first at Beaver & Son in Colmar, PA, and later for Merck & Co. in West Point, PA.
Tom was of the Catholic faith. In addition to his wife, Nancy, he is survived by two sons, Thomas Eroh, Jr. and his wife, Annemarie, of Douglassville, and Robert Eroh and his wife, Rebecca, of Fairless Hills, PA; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a brother, Edward Eroh and his wife, Rose Mary, of Danielsville, PA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Catherine Matukonis; and a brother, Marlin Eroh.
A graveside service will be held at Sky-View Memorial Park at 11 AM on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tom’s memory may be made to Bayada Hospice, 1 West Philadelphia Avenue, Fourth Floor, Boyertown, PA 19512.
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Born in Falmouth, Massachusetts, he was a son of the late Francis and Mary (O'Donnell) Johnston.
Michael is survived by his seven siblings: Keith Johnston and his wife, Elizabeth, of Pottsville; William Johnston of Prescott, Arizona; Patricia Terranova of Wilton, Connecticut; John Johnston of Girardville; Matthew Johnston of Elizabethtown; Kenneth Johnston of Schuylkill Haven; and Malcolm Johnston of Lavelle. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation on Wednesday, April 8th, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, 403 West Main Street, Girardville. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Fountain Springs.
To sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences, or for further information, please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com.
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc., Girardville, is in charge of the arrangements.
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He was born in Pottsville on May 14, 1955, a son of the late Albert 'Butch' and Mary (Najunas) Logan.Butchey was a graduate of the Shenandoah Valley High School and was last employed by Ron Troy Paving of Frackville.
An avid Philadelphia sports fan, his favorite team was the Flyers. He also enjoyed fishing and walking his companion dog "Snitch".
Butchey is survived by his two sisters, Linda, wife of Leo Breznik, and Roseanne, wife of Harry Howard. He is also survived by his aunt and godmother, Helen Quillen of Boca Raton, FL, along with many cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a scripture service at the Walukiewicz Oravitz-Fell Funeral Home, 132 South Jardin Street, Shenandoah, PA on Sunday, March, 29th at 6:30 PM. Visitation with Butchey's family will be held from 4 pm until 6:30 pm.
Private burial services will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Butchey's Memory are asked to be made to the St. Jude Children's Hopsital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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Born in Oxford, PA on October 11, 1961, he was the son of the late David Martin Warfel and Carol (Roberts) Rye, who survives him in Frackville, PA.
David attended Overlea High School in Baltimore. He worked as a truck driver for Swift Transportation. David loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and family. In his younger years, he liked to ride his motorcycle. He also earned his black belt in Karate,in which he frequently practiced.
In addtion to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister Mischelle Damrose
In addition to his mother, David is survived by a son David J. Warfel, Jr.; a daughter Olivia N. Matz and her husband Shawn; four grandchildren: Lex, Ares, Leo, and Dawson, who is on the way; brothers: Richard, Robert, and Paul Warfel; and nieces and nephews.
A Religious Service will be held at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon at 11AM on Saturday, March 28th, with Rev. Lorraine Heckman officiating.
Relatives and Friends are invited to a viewing on Saturday from 9-11AM at the Funeral Home.
Interment will be held private.
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Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass for Zita M. Harner, on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 47 S. Market St., Mt. Carmel, PA 17851. A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the church, prior to Funeral Mass.
Burial will follow at Barry Salem Cemetery, 855 Deep Creek Rd, Ashland, PA 17921.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home is honored to serve the Harner family.
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Terry E. "Gus" Zimmerman, Jr., 62, of N. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Hershey Medical Center.
Born on April 6, 1963 in Pottsville, he was a son of Terry E. Sr. and Maxine Wood Zimmerman of Pine Grove.
Terry was a professional truck driver for 43 years and drove for WalMart.
He loved golfing, playing softball, going to the casino, riding his motorcycle with his wife Natalie, going to the beach and family vacations, and just being with and enjoying his family. He was also a Dallas Cowboys Fan.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his wife of 43 years, Natalie Natale Zimmerman; three children, Natasha Zimmerman, Thomas Zimmerman and Joshua Zimmerman; 6 grandchildren, Jasmyn, Jamari, Janaysha and Zarina Zimmerman, Jamere and Janiya Jones; a brother, Jerry Zimmerman of Pine Grove; a niece, Lindsey Legarht; a nephew, Logan Zimmerman; a great nephew, Walker Legarht; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, with Pastor Barry Spatz officiating. There will be a viewing on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Schuylkill Memorial Park Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge #409, 23 Oak Grove Rd., Pine Grove, PA 17963 attn: Scholarship on the check, in his memory.
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Born in Providence, Rhode Island, on Friday, July 9, 1948, a son of the late Harold G. Drake and Mary R. Muholland Drake.
Bob was a retired chef working in the New England states for many years.
He could often be found playing cards and Bingo. In his younger years he enjoyed dancing and always enjoyed socializing and having a good time. He looked forward to spending time with his siblings, nieces, nephews and his beloved cat.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sisters, Mary Drake and Shirley Russo and brother William Damiano and Thomas Drake.
He is survived by two brothers, James Drake (Elizabeth), Williamstown and Edward Damiano, New Jersey; nieces and nephews, Thomas Drake, Mary Ellen Buffington, whom was also his goddaughter, John Urwin, Tammy Bair, James Drake, Jr. and Tony Damiano. Numerous great nieces and nephews.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City has been entrusted with Bob's private arrangements.
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Born in Palmerton, Carl was the son of the late Elmer and Florence (Koeing) Ruch. Raised on the family farm, he developed a lifelong appreciation for traditional values and a legendary work ethic. Carl was a lifelong active member of Zion’s Stone Church of West Penn Township. Carl and his brother Donald were caretakers of the church cemetery and hand dug graves for the church cemetery in the 1960’s and 70’s.
A master of his trade, Carl owned and operated Carl Ruch Trucking and Excavating Services for 60 years. His professional career also included 17 years as a certified mechanic and skilled welder at the Atlas Powder Co., Reynolds. A man of quiet strength, Carl was most at home when working on his equipment, finding deep satisfaction in the mechanical precision and maintenance of the machines that powered his life’s work. Carl will be remembered by the community as a dedicated businessman and a traditional family man.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Janel; a brother, Donald; a sister, LaRue and her husband Kenneth Strouse, who worked with and helped Carl when he started his business; a brother-in-law, Donald Benner; and nephews.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Charlene, are three sons, Barry and his wife, Tracy, of New Ringgold, Jason, of Morgantown, and Mathew and his fiancée Krystal Miller, of New Ringgold; sister, Eleanor Benner, of Egypt; sister-in-law, Madeline Ruch, of New Ringgold; four grandchildren, Tiffany, Julia, Owen, and James; and nieces and nephews.
At Carl’s request, services will be private with Pastor Linnea Meiser officiating. Private interment in Zion’s Stone Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make online gifts in memory of Carl K. Ruch, to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater PA Chapter, www.alz.org or 2595 Interstate Dr., Harrisburg, PA 17110.
Arrangements are being handled by the Hartman Funeral Home, 1791 West Penn Pike, Rte. 309, New Ringgold.
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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
