Skook News Obituaries: July 24th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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He was born in Pottsville on July 31, 1949, to Elizabeth “Betty” Loftus Kerwick and James Edmund Kerwick.
Jim graduated from Nativity BVM High School in 1967 and then enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. After serving his country, Jim worked in civil service for PennDOT and then as a road inspector in Harrisburg with the company Weisenberger. He concluded his work in Allentown as a sewer inspector with Ronca.
In the mid 80’s, Jim joined his father as a partner in the family business, Kerwick’s Leather Goods in Pottsville, PA where he worked until he retired.
Jim had many creative hobbies. He loved landscaping, art and writing. He had a passion for inventing practical use items and even acquired several patents. Over the years, he collected many classic cars and enjoyed restoring and driving them. He wrote and published the book “The Son and the Earth” in 2002.
In addition to his mother and father, he was preceded in death by his sister Judy Yupcavage, and two nephews Benjamin Yupcavage and Jeff Tarman.
Jim is survived by his wife Patricia to whom he was married 54 years; two children: Patrick and Kaitlin Kerwick; two sisters: Janey Lohr and Linda Echenrode; two grandchildren: Kyran and Aidan Khindri.
A Private Mass and Christian Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ebling Stabingas Funeral Home, Inc., Cressona.
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She was born October 27, 1930, in Pottsville a daughter of the late Carl and Mary Goodman Elison.
She was a 1948 graduate of Pottsville High School.
Prior to retiring Lorraine was a secretary at the John S. Clarke Elementary Center, Pottsville
Lorraine was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.
She was preceded in death by her husband James E. Campion, Sr on Feb 13, 2020; an infant son, Kevin Campion a brother, William Elison.
Surviving are her son, James E. Campion, Jr. and his wife Claire, Wilmington, DE; her daughter, Judy Lenick, Pottsville; 3 granddaughters, Caitlin Campion, Jacqueline Lenick and Kelley Campion; 1 great-granddaughter, Erin Campion; nieces and nephews.
Lorraine never forgot to wear a smile wherever she went, and she shared her inner joy with everyone around her. She loved traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe with her husband, James, and together they built friendships across the world. Lorraine treasured blooming flowers, sunny days, the loyal companionship of dogs, and she brought bliss to those around her with her quick wit and playful spirit.
A Private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville. Private Interment will be in St. John No. 2 Cemetery, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrances in memory of Lorraine be made to Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, James B. Humphrey, F.D., Pottsville.
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Sean was the heart of any gathering and sparked passionate conversations and debates throughout his life. He connected with people on so many different levels - he loved playing football, from Blue Mountain Midgets through captaining the high school team, listening to music, playing games, and even devoting late-night basement hours to Dungeons & Dragons.
Prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2012, Sean attended Widener University before living and working on Folly Beach, South Carolina. His military assignments included Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Stewart, Georgia; Grafenwöhr, Germany; Fort Carson, Colorado; and most recently Fort Drum, New York. During his deployment to Germany, his unit spent time in Poland assisting refugees who were displaced by the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In recent years, along with continuing his Army career, Sean pursued higher education. He earned his associate’s degree from Grantham University in 2025, and was working toward completion of his bachelor’s degree in spring 2027. Sean always loved to read and learn, and he avidly discussed books and ideas with friends and family. He happily volunteered his time, energy, and support to many. Most importantly to Sean, he chose sobriety and thrived in the embrace and support of the recovery community which sustained him in Schuylkill County and beyond.
Sean is survived and will be mourned by his parents Matt and Kathi, his sister Kristine, his brother-in-law Steve Deibert, his beloved nephew and niece Silas and Sydnie Deibert, his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be deeply missed by so many friends who are family. Sean was taken too soon. But he would want us to know that in these last years he was living the good, satisfying life he sought, and that he treasured all the laughter, joy, love, and understanding he found with the people in his life. Sean showed us that hope, connection, acceptance, and patience can overcome the heaviest challenges and roadblocks in life, as he was striving to do every day.
An evening visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, August 2nd at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 116 S. Liberty Street, Orwigsburg, PA, and again on Monday, August 3rd from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Faith Worship Center, 1168 Centre Turnpike, Orwigsburg, PA. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM in the church on August 3rd. Interment, with military honors will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA at 2:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer's Association, Attn: Donor Services, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite #1700, Chicago, IL 60601
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Born in 1950 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, JoAnne graduated from Nativity BVM High School in 1968 and went on to earn her degree from Loyola University Maryland in 1972.
Growing up in Pottsville, JoAnne held a special fondness for her family’s multi-generational business, Mootz Homemade Candies—a landmark shop founded by her grandparents. Childhood summers held an equally special place in her heart, especially those spent surrounded by extended family, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends at their family cottage in Deer Lake.
Above all, JoAnne’s heart belonged to her family. She shared a wonderful 51-year marriage with her husband, Pete, and took immense joy in caring for her home, nurturing her husband and children, and teaching her kids about the world. She possessed a wonderful sense of humor, prayed daily, and cherished every moment spent with those she loved.
JoAnne was preceded in death by her parents, Barbara Virginia Gallagher (“Gin Gin”) and Joseph Gallagher, and her beloved son, Peter J. Rattigan Jr.
She was the beloved wife of Dr. Peter J. Rattigan; devoted and deeply loving mother to Jim Rattigan, Joseph Rattigan and his wife Jenny, Matt Rattigan and his wife Sarah, and Caitlin Rattigan and her husband Dr. Jameson Dyal; and the cherished grandmother of Gabrielle, Jack, Ellie, Carissa, and Josh Rattigan.
She will be greatly missed and forever loved and remembered by all her family and friends.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at St Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven on Saturday Aug 1st. Visitation will be in the church chapel from 9:15 to 10:15. Interment will follow Mass at Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Orwigsburg, is honored to have been entrusted with arrangements.
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James Gruber, 87, of Centre St., Ashland, passed away Friday, July 24, 2026, at the Emmanual Center for Nursing, Danville. Visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com to share condolences with Jim’s family. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, will announce funeral 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
