Skook News Obituaries: July 11th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Survivors
Husband; John Gross, married 57 years
Son: John Gross and his wife Leanne, Locustdale
Son: James Gross, Frackville
Sister: Joan and her husband, Thomas “Tim” Wallace, Wilburton
Brother: Charles Wright and his wife Josephine, Pottsville
Brother: Dennis Wright and his wife Cathy, Locustdale
Brother: Randy Wright and his wife Donna, Germanville
Grandchildren; Randi wife of Steven Reno, Scott Gross, and Brandon Artz
Nieces, Nephews, and many good friends.
At the request of the Gross family, her funeral will be private.
To extended condolences to Dorothy’s family, visit www.Fritzfuneralhome.com. The Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
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May was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many throughout her life well lived. She was the cherished wife of Dan Freeman with whom she shared 64 years of life prior to his passing in 2018. Dan remarked many times about the amazing patience and forbearance May possessed and how she was his avid traveling companion in life. Now they are reunited to travel together through eternity.
May was at once a traditional wife and a modern woman, raising her two beloved daughters, while also working at the Atlas Powder company for over 40 years. She was a maker of the best PA Dutch dishes, from the favorites- pot pie, green beans and ham, meat and potatoes of all combinations, to the occasional (and slightly less popular) beef heart and pig stomach. She was an extraordinary baker and made the most scrumptious rhubarb custard, apple and basically any pie. She also made sure her daughters were given the opportunity to explore their varied interests, while supporting them quietly in the background with her legendary patience which was a hallmark of her life with her adventurous husband and vivacious girls.
May’s fortunate family includes Debra Angello and her husband Matt, Donna Schubert and her husband Eric; grandchildren, Daniel and his wife Lindsay, Joshua and his wife Alexis, Hannah and her husband Ricky, Kaitlyn, and Collin; great grandchildren, Gabriel, Sammy, Stella, Lily and Myka; sisters, Irene and Pauline.
She was predeceased by sisters Roxanne and Alice, brother Kenny and parents John and Verna.
May’s role in the life of her children and grandchildren has left an indelible mark on them all. Her grandchildren share joyful memories of how they would each spend a special week alone in the summer as young children, whereby May, known lovingly to them as Nanny, would play endlessly with them at the playground, tennis courts, with board games and anything else they desired, while never coming even remotely close to losing her legendary patience.
She was a remarkable and one-of-a-kind woman. She will be deeply missed by all.
Graveside Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 on Tuesday, July 14th at Kimmel Church of God Cemetery. Friends and family are welcome to come and share in the memory of May’s life.
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Born in Kaska July 9, 1940, she was a daughter of the late Charles Smerlick Sr. and Anna (Trubillla) Smerlick.
She was a graduate of Blythe Township High School. She went on to work in the garment industry before starting a family, and later retired from the D.H.H. Lengel Cafeteria.
Mary was a member of Holy Family Parish of Minersville-St. Michael the Archangel RCC; She enjoyed bowling, traveling with her husband to San Diego, Hawaii and especially spending time with her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by he 1st husband Joseph Lazovi; her Brothers Charles Smerlick; Leonard Smerlick; Sisters Dorothy Close and Lucille Dahnn.
Surviving are her husband of 50 years Michael Rowcotsky; Children Mark Lazovi and his companion Brittany of Minersville; Joseph Lazovi and his Fiancé Mary Anne Leskusky of Beury’s Grove; Shawn Lazovi and his wife Melanie of Hegins; Wendy Vacante and her husband Richard of Brick, NJ; Michelle Martin and her husband Michael of Edisto Island, SC; Grandchildren Mark Jr.; Matthew, Shelby, Scott, Hunter, Trevor and Gunner; 1 Great Grandson Mason; 2 Sisters Anna Oates and Josephine Kulakowski; 1 Brother David Smerlick; Nieces and Nephews
Funeral Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Burial will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville Dutcavich Funeral Home & Cremation Care Inc., Minersville is entrusted with 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
