Skook News Obituaries: August 28th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Betsy Sutton, 79, of Pottsville, passed away on August 25, 2026, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.
Born on January 22, 1947, in Washington, D.C., Betsy was the daughter of the late Lawrence Cuthbert Torrence and Teresa Bowie Torrence. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Loreli Dodd and her brother, Lawrence Torrence.
Betsy was a 1966 graduate of Falls Church. She went on to build a long and dedicated career with the Library of Congress, where she was employed for more than 30 years. Beyond her work, she found joy in painting and was known as a fabulous artist, expressing her creativity through a talent that brought beauty to those around her.
She is survived by her son, Lawrence T. Hostler of King George, Virginia; her grandchildren, Catherine, Wraith, and Litany; and her great-granddaughter, Elaina.
Her family will cherish her memory and hold close the love and presence she brought to their lives.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Born on January 22, 1947, in Washington, D.C., Betsy was the daughter of the late Lawrence Cuthbert Torrence and Teresa Bowie Torrence. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Loreli Dodd and her brother, Lawrence Torrence.
Betsy was a 1966 graduate of Falls Church. She went on to build a long and dedicated career with the Library of Congress, where she was employed for more than 30 years. Beyond her work, she found joy in painting and was known as a fabulous artist, expressing her creativity through a talent that brought beauty to those around her.
She is survived by her son, Lawrence T. Hostler of King George, Virginia; her grandchildren, Catherine, Wraith, and Litany; and her great-granddaughter, Elaina.
Her family will cherish her memory and hold close the love and presence she brought to their lives.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
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Janet V. Derr, 84 of Pottsville, died Wednesday afternoon surrounded by her family at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.
She was born July 11, 1942, in Schuylkill Haven, a daughter of the late David and Lillian Stine Achey
She was a 1961 graduate of Blue Mountain Area High School where she was Head Majorette, which she loved all through her life.
Janet was employed by Van Huesen, Frank Gownley Real Estate where she worked as a Relator. Most recently she was the bookkeeper for the family business, Derr Excavating and Construction.
Janet was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Pottsville; Auburn Boat Club and Schuylkill Valley Corvette Club.
She enjoyed simple pleasures and meaningful moments that shaped her life. She enjoyed helping her husband, Bob, with the family business, a reflection of her steady support and devotion to those closest to her. She also had a love for flowers and found joy in life’s beauty around her. Among her happy times were riding shotgun on one of the Corvette Club outings and spending time out on the boat, experiences that brought companionship, adventure, and special memories.
Janet will be remembered for the quiet but meaningful ways she shared in the life of her family and the simple joys that brought her happiness. Her presence was a valued part of the everyday moments that become lasting memories.
Surviving are her children, Curtis Derr, Pottsville; a daughter, Brenda Gardner and her husband James, Flourtown; 2 grandchildren, Lily and Trent Gardner; her twin sister, Joan Bensinger, Thousand Oaks, CA, and a sister, Dawn Merris and her husband Tim, Fruita, CO; nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held 11AM Wednesday, September 2nd at the James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, with Rev. Michael Smith officiating. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 9am until the time of services. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Janet be made to Trinity United Church of Christ 316 W. Market St. Pottsville, PA 17901 or to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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She was born July 11, 1942, in Schuylkill Haven, a daughter of the late David and Lillian Stine Achey
She was a 1961 graduate of Blue Mountain Area High School where she was Head Majorette, which she loved all through her life.
Janet was employed by Van Huesen, Frank Gownley Real Estate where she worked as a Relator. Most recently she was the bookkeeper for the family business, Derr Excavating and Construction.
Janet was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Pottsville; Auburn Boat Club and Schuylkill Valley Corvette Club.
She enjoyed simple pleasures and meaningful moments that shaped her life. She enjoyed helping her husband, Bob, with the family business, a reflection of her steady support and devotion to those closest to her. She also had a love for flowers and found joy in life’s beauty around her. Among her happy times were riding shotgun on one of the Corvette Club outings and spending time out on the boat, experiences that brought companionship, adventure, and special memories.
Janet will be remembered for the quiet but meaningful ways she shared in the life of her family and the simple joys that brought her happiness. Her presence was a valued part of the everyday moments that become lasting memories.
Surviving are her children, Curtis Derr, Pottsville; a daughter, Brenda Gardner and her husband James, Flourtown; 2 grandchildren, Lily and Trent Gardner; her twin sister, Joan Bensinger, Thousand Oaks, CA, and a sister, Dawn Merris and her husband Tim, Fruita, CO; nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held 11AM Wednesday, September 2nd at the James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, with Rev. Michael Smith officiating. Family and friends are invited to a visitation from 9am until the time of services. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Janet be made to Trinity United Church of Christ 316 W. Market St. Pottsville, PA 17901 or to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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Born in Pottsville, PA on February 6, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Francis A. and Helen T. (Daley) O’Connor. She was raised in Hecksherville and attended St. Kieran’s Catholic grade school. She was a 1969 graduate of Minersville Area High School.
Mollie worked as a secretary, retiring from the Schuylkill County Adult Probation Department in 2010. She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Garden City, SC and former member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Minersville and the New Minersville Hose Co. Ladies Auxiliary.
Mollie enjoyed traveling and attended many Army reunions all over the country with her husband, Bumper. She especially enjoyed trips to Alaska and Ireland. She also supported her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending their sporting events and recitals. Most of all, Mollie enjoyed taking in the scenery, people watching and reminiscing about the good old times out in the Valley.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, William C. “Bumper” Laudeman, Jr., on 4/14/23.
Mollie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patrice and Scott Schwalm; grandchildren Kyran Laudeman (Heather), Matthew Rose (Stefanie), Meg Stoppie (Adam), Scottie Schwalm (Abby), Connor Schwalm and Olivia Laudeman; great-grandchildren Lily, Finn, Isla, Myles, Major, Matteo and Lee. She is also survived by her sister, Helene O’Connor and her aunt, Sarah Horan, along with extended family members to include a daughter, Michelle Rose and a son, William Laudeman.
Per her wishes, a Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Michael Catholic Church, Garden City, SC and private interment was held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to a charity of the giver’s choice in Mollie’s memory.
Dutcavich Funeral Home & Cremation Care Inc., Minersville, is entrusted with arrangements.
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Edward A. Heim, 88, of Robin Rd., Pine Grove, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2026 at home.
He was born on December 17, 1937 in Philadelphia.
Edward was a Machinist and last worked at American Can Company.
He had been an avid hunter and fisherman.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 62 years, Nancy Jean Bricker Heim; a grandson, Nicholas Heim; two brothers, Robert Manley and George Manley; and a sister, Catherine Burns.
Surviving two daughters, Jean and husband Donald McMillin, Nancy Heim Jr., both of Pine Grove; two sons, Edward Jr. and wife Sandra Heim, Anthony Heim and fiancé Meaghan Delpezzo of Schuylkill Haven; 8 grandchildren, Kristy, Lisa, Heather, Brook, Amy, Farrah, Eddie and Siena; 9 great grandchildren, Kylie, Callie, Charley, Mitchell, Landon, Jack, Vivienne, Cohen and Calen; a brother, Billy Manley; two sisters, Patty Ann McMillin and Edna Clark; nieces and nephews.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, 18 Wertz Dr., Pine Grove, PA 17963 in his 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
