Skook News Obituaries: May 29th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Born in Pottsville, September 16, 1928, he was a son of the late Joseph F. and Grace (Kaiser) Ponter.
He attended Pottsville High School, leaving early for military service.
Thomas served in the United State Marine Corps in World War II, was stationed in China, and went on to serve in the PA National Guard for many years.
He was a former member of St. Patrick RCC, Pottsville and St. Francis RCC, Minersville. He was a member of Mountaineer Hose Co. He was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles Fan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers Robert Ponter and James Ponter; 2 sisters Dolores Land and Grace Charlton.
Surviving are 5 children Linda Ponter of Marlton, NJ; Diane Buehner and her husband Dr. Earl of Mt. Joy; Thomas Ponter and his wife Sheri of Primrose; Patricia Watcher of Minersville; James Ponter and his wife Mindy of Lake Wynonah; Grandchildren Matthew Ponter; Thomas Ponter Jr.; Dr. Ryan Buehner; Mark Buehner; Troy Buehner; Michael Watcher; Blake Watcher; Daniel Subach; Evan Ponter; Amanda Ponter; Great Grandchildren Nolan, Landyn, Justin, Clayton, Knox, Luke, Gavin, Piper, Owen and Eleanor; Brother-in law Vincent Land; Nieces and Nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM Monday, June 1, 2026 from Dutcavich Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 200 Sunbury St. Minersville, PA 17954. Friends may call from 10:00-11:00 AM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Marine Corps Toys for Tots c/o Ed Quirin Po Box 98 St. Clair, PA 17970. Burial with military honors will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
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Madeline was born on Wednesday, September 6, 1933, a daughter of the late Roy and Florence Straub Richard.
She was a retired seamstress in the local garment industry. Madeline and her late husband, Mark, had also been the caretakers, for Dunwoody Fish and Game Club, where she cooked many meals for the members over the years.
Madeline was an active and faithful member of the Church of Christ of Christian Union, Ashland (Weisample). She was always willing to volunteer wherever needed.
Madeline enjoyed traveling with her late husband and lived in twelve different states throughout her life. She had a talent for cooking, sewing, and crocheting. She could often be found going for walks, taking in all nature had to offer.
She was preceded in death by her husband Mark Jones, 2020; a son, Dennis Jones, 2012; grandson, Brent Harner,1992; two sisters, Ruth and Grace.
She is survived by her two daughters, Janice Harner and her husband Kim, Sacramento and Debra Moore and her husband Ron, Pitman; four grandchildren, Cliff and Chad Harner, Tish Kay and Riane Guay; great grandchildren, Jon, Amanda, Brenton, Kaden, Blake, Hunter, Aspen, Austin, Ryder, Isabella, and Rivers; one great great granddaughter, Honey.
A Celebration of Madeline's life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 3:00 pm from the Church of Christ of Christian Union, 952 Deep Creek Road, Ashland (Weisample). A visitation will be from 2:30-3:00 pm at the church.
Madeline will be laid to rest beside her husband in the church cemetery.
Donations in Madeline's name can be made to Tremont Health and Rehab, Activity Fund, 44 Donaldson Road, Tremont PA 17981.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Tower City, is honored to serve Madeline's family.
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Kathleen M. Milefsky, 77, of Ringtown, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
Born in Shenandoah on August 30, 1948, she was the daughter of the late John & Kathryn “Kitty” Byrne Dougherty.
Kathleen was graduate of the former Shenandoah Catholic High School and then attended Misericordia University and St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Reading whereafter she entered into a lifelong dedication of being a registered nurse. She worked many years for the former Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville and retired with the position of Manager for same day surgery.
Outside of her career, Kathleen was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ringtown where she taught CCD for many years. Her faith was unwavering and she would spend time each day praying and saying the rosary. She also enjoyed reading and cheering on her Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Besides her parents, she was preceded by 1 sister- Ellen Ann Moll.
She is survived by her husband, Daniel Milefsky of Ringtown, 2 daughters- LeeAnne O’Hearn with her husband Mark of Ashland and Alison Donovan with her husband James of Clarks Summit, 1 son- Dr. Daniel Milefsky with his wife Cheryl of West Pittston, 1 sister- Karen Donchak of Frackville, and 5 grandchildren whom she loved dearly and would spoil often- Mark O’Hearn, Nicole Strickland, Nathan Milefsky, Molly Donovan, and Tyler Babinski, along with a great grandson- Miles and nieces and nephews.
A Requiem Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 3rd at 10am in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ringtown with Fr. Dominic Pham officiating. Visitation will take place from 8:30 to 10am in the church. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family.
The Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, Shenandoah are 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
