Skook News Obituaries: April 8th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Joan M. Yourkavitch, 82, passed away Tuesday, April 7th, at Rosewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Joan was born in Pottsville on March 7, 1944, a daughter of the late Maybelle (Russell) and Howard Dinger.
She was the widow of Martin F. Yourkavitch.
Joan was of the Lutheran Faith, enjoyed crocheting and time with her grandchildren and great-grandson.
Joan is survived by three daughters: Angela Sablich (Steven), Kimberly Staller (Theodore), and Kathleen Towne (Jay).
She is also survived by grandchildren: Stephen Staller, Caitlin Sablich, Yvonne Romagnolo (Rob), Alexis Palerino (Zach), Brianna Towne, great-grandson Luke Palerino and a sister Gail Dougherty.
In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her siblings: Daniel Dinger, Howard Dinger Jr., Dianna Phillips, Rosemary Rumble and her beloved cat Mimi.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 10th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc. in Schuylkill Haven, with Rev. Jim Fidler officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park in Schuylkill Haven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements.
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Born in Coaldale, Jean was a daughter of the late Leroy and Susan (Hunt) Romig. She was a 1968 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and later attended Lehigh Carbon Community College. Jean worked for many years as a bus driver for special needs students in the Tamaqua area, forming lasting bonds with the children she transported. At various times, she was also employed at Walmart and with Children and Youth.
Jean was a member of the former Tamaqua Salvation Army and most recently worshipped with both the Pottsville Salvation Army and Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, Tamaqua. She generously volunteered her time with both churches, most notably serving with the Salvation Army at Ground Zero in the weeks following September 11, 2001, where she helped provide food and refreshments to emergency responders, sorted donations, and offered comfort, counseling, and prayer to those affected. She also served as a mentor and source of encouragement to the children she transported, often referring to them as "her kids." Jean had a gift for connecting with others and was truly a friend to all she met, and she found great joy in simple pleasures, especially time spent near beautiful waterfalls, as well as her love of butterflies and cats.
Jean is survived by two sons, Matthew Holmberg and his wife Michele Sierchio of Forked River, New Jersey, and Joshua Holmberg of Tamaqua; one grandson, Ryder Holmberg; one step-grandson, Casey Kramer; two brothers, William Romig of Richmond, Virginia, and Leroy Romig of West Penn Township; two sisters, Connie Hartranft of Beebe, Arkansas, and Rebecca Bowman of Tamaqua; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; her parents; and two sisters, Evelyn Willing and Helen Lehman.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, 223 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, with The Rev. Kevin Roberts officiating. Family and friends may call from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jean's name may be made to the Bethany E.C. Church Benevolence Fund.
Online condolences may be shared at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Born on July 3, 1934 in Joliett, she was a daughter of the late Robert W. and Mildred V. Rhody Hommes.
She was a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Lebanon.
Joan enjoyed organic gardening, doing ceramics and loved to read.
Preceding her in death was her husband of 68 years, Clarence A. "Schnacks" Umbenhauer.
Surviving are two sons, David and wife Teresa Umbenhauer of Harrisburg, Mike and wife Carol Ann Umbenhauer of White Haven; a daughter, Susan and husband Jerry Fisch of Lebanon; three grandchildren, Brad Umbenhauer of Pine Grove, Lauren and husband Craig Mueller of Malta, N.Y., Karen and husband Josh Baraniak of Harrisburg; seven great grandchildren, Quentin, Kendra, Brayden, Kaiden, Shelbie, Aspyn and Harper; a brother, Robert and wife Jane Hommes of Harrisburg; a niece and two nephews.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Jacob's Lutheran Cemetery, Pine Grove.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either the Humane Society of Lebanon Co., 150 N. Ramona Rd., Myerstown, PA 17067 or the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, 7790 Grayson Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17111 in her memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of 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
