Skook News Obituaries: April 15th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. 901 Centre Street Ashland, PA 17921 has been entrusted with the arrangements. To extend online condolences, visit www.kullfuneral.com.
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Born in Pottsville, PA on October 6, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Margaret (Rummel) Thomas.
Nina was a graduate of Pottsville High School, Class of 1970. She retired from Fisher Clinical Services, Allentown. Nina was an avid racing fan, who loved dirt track and NASCAR. She loved taking care of the birds and squirrels, her pond, and her dogs. She also had a deep love for Christmas and the biggest Christmas tree she could find. Nina was the first female Fire Fighter in Schuylkill County being a member of the Port Carbon Fire Company.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Harry "Hank" W. Schell Jr. and niece and Goddaughter Jo Ann Hartman.
Nina is survived by daughters: Kati Bechtel and her husband, Bob, Michelle Bouffard and her husband, David, Nicole Shappell, and Karisa Lash; grandchildren: Alisyn Zimmerman and her husband, Kyle, Adra and Jameson Schell; great grandchildren: Lillian and Beckett Zimmerman; sister Sharon Hartman and her husband, Charles; special niece Megan Borowski and her husband, Dwayne; great niece Sydnee Borowski; great nephew Greyson Borowski; and many more nieces, nephews, cousins, and other "adopted" children.
Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with the family on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, from 2-4PM at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4PM on Saturday at the Funeral Home, with Norm Diehl officiating.
Interment will be held private.
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Carl was born in New Ringgold on March 20,1927, the son of the late Carlton D. Grube and Eva C. (Hess) Grube.
He was the widower of Regina "Jean" Mary (Sharpe) Grube.
Carl proudly served in the U.S. Army in WWII under The 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One") in Berlin, Germany. After his military duty, he returned home and worked on the Brobst and Eckroth farms. He worked as a carpenter for Hills Brothers, Berks County and the New Ringgold Saw Mill doing logging. He began his textile employment at the Dutch Knitting Mill in Hamburg and worked as a sewing machine mechanic for JE Morgan for many years. Carl was a very giving person and thought often of putting others before himself.
He was a life member and former President of the New Ringgold Community Fire Company. During his years of leadership, he was instrumental in planning the construction of the current fire company building and truck garage. As a member he also organized Rumpsch matches, banquets, dances, breakfasts, Old Home Week, and Bingo as a caller. He served on the New Ringgold Borough Council for many years. He was a life member of VFW Post 2198 Orwigsburg. He was also a member of the Schuylkill Council of Governments.
Carl is survived by two daughters, Teena, wife of Roger Koperna and their son Cody and his fiance Alexis Emerich (children Max and Vinnie); Evagene, wife of Jerry Cresswell and their daughters Nicole and Kayla (children Cove and Isla) as well as his son Chris Grube, husband of Susan and their children Ashley Fogarty and her husband Matt (children Anna and Quinn); Christopher Grube and his wife Tracy (children Grace and Connor) and Emily Grube.
He was predeceased by his grandson Matthew Koperna and sisters Irene Hartman and Phyllis Heiser.
A Memorial Service will be held at Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ringgold, on Thursday, April 23rd at 11:00 AM with Rev. Dr. Jan Remer-Osborn officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM until time of service.
Interment will be private at a later date in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friedens Lutheran Church or New Ringgold Community Fire Company.
Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., is honored to be serving the family.
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Born in Pottsville on November 7, 1954, he was the son of the late Kathryn “Dolly” (Sheipe) Smith and William “Kelly” F. Smith, Sr.
Ken was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School and later attended Reading Business Institute. He began his working career as a manager at Boscov’s before joining the Lynn Ladder Factory in Orwigsburg, where he worked for many years. In addition to his other work, Ken was also self-employed as a farmer, a role he took great pride in.
Ken was well known for his friendly nature, sense of humor, and love of conversation. He proudly served as the chairman of the coffee club at Sheetz and Rutter’s, where he enjoyed spending time with friends and sharing stories. He was also the proud owner of Second Mountain Sunflowers, where he found joy in driving his tractor and giving rides through the sunflower fields to visitors. His warm smile and generous spirit made him a friend to many.
He is survived by his loving family, including his sister, Margaret “Peggy,” wife of Edward Guistwite; his brother, Robert “Bup” Smith; his niece Chantel, wife of Josh Cresswell. His nephew Jeromy Guistwite, husband of Kristi Clemas. Other nieces are Mia, wife of Nicholas Wink , Lauren Smith, and Sheena Smith. He will also be deeply missed by his close friends, Heath Mitchell, Jennifer Schreckengost, and Wilmer Stoltzfus.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Frederick Smith and William “Bill” Smith, Jr., and his nephew, Bryan Smith.
A religious service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20, at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Orwigsburg. A visitation with the family will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Jeff Johnson will officiate.
Interment will follow at Kimmels Cemetery, Orwigsburg.
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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
