Skook News Obituaries: April 7th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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. Rick’s greatest legacy began in high school, where he met his sweetheart, Patricia (Sutton) Withelder. Theirs was a rare and beautiful bond; though married for 44 years, they shared a lifetime of 57 years side-by-side. Together, they built a family rooted in love and hard work.
A 1971 graduate of Minersville High School, Rick was a natural entrepreneur with a restless, creative spirit. From his early days operating a food stand on the former Newtown (Zerbe) school lot and a lunch wagon at the John Fry Landfill (Zerbe) to running game rooms in Newtown and Tremont, he eventually found his calling in the excavation, trucking, and spring water businesses and started his company, Rick’s Backhoe Service, Inc. which expanded to Eagle Springs, Inc.
He was a man who knew the value of a long day’s work and took great pride in the businesses he built from the ground up. Even in his final days, he went to work at Rick’s Backhoe Service, Inc. That tireless entrepreneurial spirit lives on in his children, to whom he passed down his grit and vision. His son, Matt, carries on that drive as the owner of Universal X-press, and Rick passed down Rick’s Backhoe Service Inc. to his son, Matt. His wife Pat, son Matt, and son-in-law Ricky all work side-by-side at Rick’s Backhoe Service, Inc. carrying on Rick’s legacy in the family-owned business. His daughter, Erica and son-in-law Ricky, continue the family tradition of service as the owners of Ficky’s Ice Cream Cafe. Rick was especially proud to see the business grow from its humble beginnings as the Ice Cream Caboose, LLC, which many remember fondly as the little red caboose in the King’s Village Shopping Center.
Above all, Rick was his grandchildren’s biggest fan. He found immense joy in following their lives and was a constant, proud presence on the sidelines, rarely missing a baseball, softball, or soccer game. Whether he was cheering from the bleachers or offering a word of encouragement, his grandchildren were the true lights of his life. Sheldon, Payton, Brax, and Crew will miss their “Pap” deeply. Some of Rick’s happiest times were spent on family vacations, creating lasting memories with Pat, his children and their spouses, and his grandchildren. Whether they were enjoying the boardwalks of Wildwood, the coast of South Carolina, the breathtaking views of Niagara Falls, or the quiet shores of Sanibel Island, Rick cherished every moment spent together.
Rick was truly at home in the outdoors. An avid sportsman, he found his peace hunting and fishing at his cabins in Black Creek. Some of his fondest hunting memories were made on trips to Colorado, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Maine, and North Carolina. Through these trips and hunting at the Black Creek cabins, Rick shared the tradition of the hunt with his son Matt, his grandchildren Sheldon, Payton, and Brax, and his close friends Eric and Frank Thompson.
Rick was a man of community, belonging to the Masonic Lodge, the Newtown Fish & Game Club, and the Newtown Fire Company. But above all, he was the life of the party. He loved to joke, kept everyone "hopping," and could hold a room captive with a perfectly timed story.
He is reunited in peace with his parents, Ross and Alexandria (Birunas) Withelder, and his sister, Alyce Kae (Withelder) Harman.
Rick’s memory will be carried on by his beloved and devoted wife, Pat; his children, Erica (Withelder) Fickes wife of Ricky and Matthew Withelder husband of Amy (Wasilewski) Withelder; his grandchildren; his two siblings, John and Dianne Withelder. He was the proudest "Pap" to his four grandchildren, Sheldon Fickes, Payton Withelder, Brax Withelder, and Crew Withelder, who were the lights of his life. Rick will be missed by his nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, in-laws, friends, neighbors, and everyone who happened to cross paths with him.
Never far from his side was his devoted therapy dog, Izzy. A constant and loyal companion, Izzy kept Rick company around the house and snuggled close to him every night. She accompanied him everywhere—from family trips to their ritual morning runs to Dunkin’ for a coffee and a Wake-Up Wrap. She was his shadow and his friend, and she will miss him dearly.
Rick’s presence was a gift to all who knew him. He worked hard, loved fiercely, and left us all with a lifetime of stories to tell. He will be missed beyond measure.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rick’s honor to the Minersville Little League Association (P.O. Box 684, Minersville, PA 17954) or St. John’s Church (39 Church St., Zerbe, PA 17981).
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 2:00 PM at St. John’s Church in Zerbe. Immediately following the service, family and friends are invited to a gathering featuring food and music at Rick and Pat’s picnic shack (located by the garages at Rick’s Backhoe Service) until 6:00 PM. To help the family prepare, please call or text Erica (570-527-7150) or Matt (570-527-0683) by Monday, April 13, 2026 if you plan to attend the gathering at family’s picnic shack.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born in Tamaqua she was the daughter of the late Carl & Eleanor (Wolfe) Bachman. She was a 1954 graduate of Tamaqua High School and worked in the local garment industry. She was of the Protestant Faith and was last a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Quakake.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lynn Walter Sr. in 2008 and a brother Howard Bachman. She is survived by 2 sons Lynn Walter Jr. and his wife Melissa of Quakake, Reese Walter and his wife Faith of Delano, a daughter Susan Shaker and her husband Mark of Delano, a sister Barbara Koch of Tamaqua, 9 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
Service will be privately held with interment at Christ Church Cemetery in Rush Township.
David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements.
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These obituaries are being brought to by Mark J. Hummel Funeral Home, Frackville
