Thursday, June 11, 2026

Schuylkill County Obituaries for June 11th, 2026

      


Skook News Obituaries:  June 11th, 2026

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.

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John R. "Jack" Challenger
, 86, of Pottsville, passed away Wednesday, June 10th, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, Allentown.

Born in Muir, Pennsylvania on February 29, 1940, he was a son of the late Ida (Helt) and John Challenger.

He was the husband of Joan F. (Daubert) Challenger, to whom he was married for 36 years. Jack and Joan enjoyed many trips around the world and loved to travel together.

He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven, Beckville Gun Club, Cressona, Rainbow Gun Club, Auburn and various golf leagues.

He was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School. He then worked at Acme and retired from Brush Wellman (Materion), Shoemakersville.

Jack was an avid Pennsylvania sports fan, including Penn State, Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. He enjoyed watching and playing golf and hunting.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Jodi Nettles wife of Donald, Schuylkill Haven, John D. Challenger husband of Maureen, Port Carbon and Jill DeLong, Schuylkill Haven; step sons Jeff Snyder husband of Sandra, Nazareth and Michael Snyder husband of Brooke, Ridley Park, PA; grandchildren Donald, Matthew, Jaclyn, Jennifer, Jonny, Candice, Jacob, Joseph, Ben, Carter, Chris, Kyle, Katelyn, Kurt, Evan and Shea; great grandchildren Kyle, Brooklyn, Cole, Cael, Eva, Ari, Grant, Jon Jon, Kingsley, Leah, Kayden and Leo; sister Judy Challenger, Maryland; many nieces and nephews.

Jack is preceded in death by his first wife of 27 years Adele (Miller) Challenger, sister Jean Popalis and brothers Jimmy and Kim Challenger.

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 on Tuesday, June 16 at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc in Schuylkill Haven, with Rev. Mike Carpenter officiating.

A viewing will be held prior from 9 until the time of the service.

At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 252 Dock Street Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.

Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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Geraldine L. Balliet
, a lifelong resident of West Penn Township, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 6, 2026, while residing at The Atrium of Allentown.

Born in Lehighton, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Della (Fritz) Breiner. Geraldine was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Sherwood L. Balliet, and their son, Tim S. Balliet.

She is survived by her daughters, Gail Loughman (wife of Christopher) and Jill Cravotta (wife of Chuck); her brothers, Kenneth Breiner, and Bruce Breiner (and his wife, Diana); sister-in-law Linda Beibleheimer; her grandchildren, Mallory Freed (and her husband, Zack) and Charlie Cravotta; her great-grandchild, Jaxon Freed; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A proud graduate of Tamaqua High School, Geraldine began her career at the former Atlas Powder Co. in Clamtown. She later partnered with her husband to operate their family business, Balliet’s Fuel Oil. She was a dedicated, long-time member of Zion’s Stone Church of New Ringgold, a former Girl Scout volunteer, and former member of the West Penn Lionettes. Geraldine was grateful to have memories of traveling around the world, accompanying her husband with the International Lions Club. In her free time, she enjoyed crafting, sewing, and gardening. Her greatest joys in life included her unwavering trust in God, and sharing love with her family, friends, and neighbors.

Private funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., New Ringgold, PA. Interment funeral service (with immediate family) will take place at Zion Stone Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Zion Stone Church of West Penn Township, 45 Cemetery Road, New Ringgold, PA 17960.

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Frank Eugene Zimmerman, Jr.
, 60, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Thursday, June 11th, at home.

Frank was born in York on June 26, 1965, a son of Barbara (Reher) and the late Frank E. Zimmerman, Sr.

He was the widower of Sherry (Canfield) Zimmerman.

Frank was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School, class of 1983.

He worked as a press scheduler at Hydro.

Frank was a member of Jerusalem Church, Schuylkill Haven, Sweet Arrow Anglers and was a Fire Police with Rainbow Hose Company #1.

Frank is survived by daughters: Carrie Doherty, wife of Phillip, Middletown and Mindi Wingle, wife of William, Pottsville; grandchildren Ethan Reed, Daphanie Reed and Amelia Wingle; siblings Renee Manges, wife of Bill, Pine Grove and Tammy Orloski, wife of Steve, Bethlehem; nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, June 22nd at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven, with Rev. Matthew Carpenter officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:00 am until time of the service. Interment will follow at St. Ambrose Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Franks's name can be made to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven.

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Shirley Zeigenfuse Schlorff Matejick, 93, Former Locust Gap resident, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at Traditions of Hershey Senior Living Center, Palmyra. Born in Mowry, September 10, 1932, she was the daughter of Elmer and Alberta (Miller) Zeigenfuse. She attended Burler Township High School, and was employed as a Cafeteria Manager for the Hatboro Horsham School District, until her retirement. Shirley was a member of the Church of the Nazarene, Lavelle. Preceding her in death were: Sisters; Arlene Martin, Mildred Chubb, Donna Stabler. Brothers; Melvin Zeigenfuse, Eugene Zeigenfuse, Ronnie Zeigenfuse, Glenn Zeigenfuse, Bernard Zeigenfuse and Ardell Zeigenfuse.

Survivors

Son: David Schlorff and his wife Denise, Lebanon

Daughter: Donna wife of Robert Pollock, Mt. Carmel

Daughter: Marie wife of Henry Schrader, Coal Township

Son: John Matejick and his wife Carol, Marion Heights

Sister: Carletta Brinze, Quakertown

Grandchildren: Laura wife of Allen Lenton, Douglas Schrader and his wife Essie, Kaitlyn Schrader fiancée of Eugene Boone IV, Erin wife of Peter Carroll, and Brittany Schlorff

Great Grandchildren: Kailyn and Riley Carroll, Owen and Miles Lenton, Euguene Boone V

Nieces and nephews

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life funeral service, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 1 PM, in the Hatboro Community Church, 730 Preston Lane, Hatboro. Officiating will be Rev. Chris Bobblett, Pastor. A service of Remembrance will be held Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in the Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, 1323 Centre St., Ashland. Interment will follow in Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs. A viewing will begin at 12 noon in the Hatboro Community Church until service and 10 AM in the Fritz Funeral Home until service at 11 AM. The family requests memorials be made to Hatboro Community Church.

The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

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