Skook News Obituaries: August 12th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Keith D. Staines, 52, of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026, from injuries sustained in a truck accident in Lynn Township, Lehigh County.
Born in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 12, 1974, Keith was the son of the late Frank P. Staines, Jr. and Joanne (Smith) Staines. He attended Roxboro schools during his youth, laying the foundation for an enterprising future. Driven by a tenacious work ethic, Keith later owned and operated KHS Transportation and was currently sharing his driving expertise as an employee of Bryan Miller Trucking in Andreas. Above all, his hard work was fueled by a deep desire to provide a safe, loving home for his family.
Outside of work, Keith lived life with passion. He loved the thrill of hot rods, the freedom of riding his motorcycle, and fiercely rooting for his home team, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Keith's legacy of love lives on through his family. He is survived by his wife, Holly (Slody) Staines; his beloved son, Zachary A. Staines; his daughters, Samantha and Mirina; his brother, Frank P. Staines III; and his companion, Annette Broadt.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., located at 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania (570-668-2550).
A Celebration of Keith's Life will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Friends and family are invited to a visitation period from 5:00 P.M. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to establish an education fund for his son, Zachary.
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Born in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 12, 1974, Keith was the son of the late Frank P. Staines, Jr. and Joanne (Smith) Staines. He attended Roxboro schools during his youth, laying the foundation for an enterprising future. Driven by a tenacious work ethic, Keith later owned and operated KHS Transportation and was currently sharing his driving expertise as an employee of Bryan Miller Trucking in Andreas. Above all, his hard work was fueled by a deep desire to provide a safe, loving home for his family.
Outside of work, Keith lived life with passion. He loved the thrill of hot rods, the freedom of riding his motorcycle, and fiercely rooting for his home team, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Keith's legacy of love lives on through his family. He is survived by his wife, Holly (Slody) Staines; his beloved son, Zachary A. Staines; his daughters, Samantha and Mirina; his brother, Frank P. Staines III; and his companion, Annette Broadt.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., located at 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania (570-668-2550).
A Celebration of Keith's Life will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Friends and family are invited to a visitation period from 5:00 P.M. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to establish an education fund for his son, Zachary.
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Born in Shenandoah on November 23, 1939, Cecilia was a daughter of the late Hubert and Cecilia (Goff) Muldowney.
Cecilia was the widow of Joseph F. Burns. He preceded her in death October 1, 2025.
In addition to her parents and husband, Cecilia was preceded in death by her brothers: Hubert, Patrick and Joseph Muldowney.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, Pottsville.
Cecilia graduated from Sunbury High School.
She worked at the former Pomeroy's and then United Cerebral Palsy, in addition to her work as a homemaker.
Cecilia is survived by three children: Joann Burns, wife of Michael Pogirski, of Pottsville; Joseph F. Burns, Jr., husband of Christine, of Orwigsburg; and Bridget Burns, of Pottsville. She is also survived by grandchildren: Matthew Seltzer, fiancé of Kelley Novogratz; Michael Seltzer, husband of Danyelle; Cassidy Burns; Ethan Burns, fiancé of Randi Conard; Reese Burns; Jani Burns, fiancé of Damien Whalen; Jasper Burns; Jakob Burns, fiancé of Morgan Kromanocker; Nicholas Kerby, husband of Maddie Consugar; Carter Kerby; Joseph Schwartz & Faith Schwartz; great-grandson Harvey Joseph Whalen and soon-to-be great-grandmother to Rhett David Seltzer and Baby Burns; brother, Thomas Muldowney, husband of Maggie, Schuylkill Haven, James Muldowney, husband of Judy, Pottsville; sister-in-laws, Annmarie Zinda (Steven), Kathi Muldowney, Pottsville; brother-in-law, Kevin Burns (James Rayner), Media; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 22nd at Lord Ebling Haus Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Pottsville. A Visitation will be held from 9 AM until the time of service. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
At the family's request, memorial donations may be forwarded to St. Jude Children's Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Schuylkill County Special Olympics, 2158 Avenue C, Ste 201 Bethlehem, PA 18017 - please include “Schuylkill County” in the subject line.
Lord Ebling Haus Funeral Home and Crematory, Pottsville has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born in Coaldale, Daniel was a son of the late Robert Roy Fritzinger and Clara (Houser) Honish. A 1968 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, he earned an associate degree in business from Penn State University.
Daniel served honorably in the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam Era from 1968 to 1972 and was an active member of Coaldale American Legion Post #170. He worked for Kovatch in Nesquehoning for many years, retiring seven years ago in 2019.
Daniel enjoyed gardening, cooking, walking, and hiking, and spent more than 25 years camping with his family. A great prankster, he enjoyed making others laugh and was also an avid coin collector and woodworker.
In addition to his wife, Jane, Daniel is survived by a son, Adam Fritzinger and his wife, Erica, of Tamaqua; a daughter, Nicole Thomas and her husband, Matthew, of Tamaqua; four grandchildren, Caryn, Lauren, Nathan and his wife Alicia, and Aubrey; a great-grandson, Roman; two sisters, Gloria Faust and her husband, Dale, of Andreas and Lauria DeAngelo and her husband Joseph of Catasauqua; four brothers, Robert Fritzinger and his wife, Grace, of Nesquehoning, Larry Fritzinger and his wife, Cathy, of Allentown, Glenn Fritzinger and his wife, Lori, of Lake Hauto, and Leonard Fritzinger and his wife, Linda, of Andreas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Isaac Curvey, and a brother, William Fritzinger.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, with the Rev. Dillon Epler officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 AM until the time of the service.
Memorial contributions in Daniel’s name may be made to the Isaac Curvey Scholarship Fund at Penn State University, c/o Amie Yenser, 76 University Drive, Hazleton, PA 18202.
Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
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Born on April 14, 1929, in Minersville, Pennsylvania, Bette was the cherished daughter of William Martin Phelan and Laura (Nevils) Phelan. Her father adored her from the moment she was born, and she was truly the apple of his eye. She grew up in the family home on Lewis Street—a house built by her father where she would go on to live for 92 years.
It was her captivating deep brown eyes and irresistible smile that caught the attention of the boy who lived next door to her relatives, Joseph A. Brennan. They could often be found at the Globe dances and the Coney Island afterwards for their favorite Coney burgers. The two were married on September 27, 1952, beginning a devoted, loving partnership that spanned 58 years until Joe’s passing in 2011. Together, they raised six children in her childhood home on Lewis Street. She is survived by her six children: Dr. PJ (Ann) Brennan of Havertown, PA; Sheila Connor of Bryn Mawr, PA; Erin (Terry) Bartley of Lewes, DE; Moira Brennan; Stacy (Jack) McBride of Spartanburg, SC; and Sean Brennan of Washington, D.C.; as well as 15 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bette attended Minersville High School, graduating with High Honors in the Class of 1947, where she was an active member of the Eleusinia yearbook staff and the Thespian Society. Following high school, she pursued her passion for helping others by attending the Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, earning her nursing degree in 1949.
Bette dedicated 43 years of her life to caring for others as a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville, working first in medical-surgical care, followed by 3 decades in the Emergency Department, and the Oncology Clinic before finishing her career in occupational health. Always eager to serve, she also trained as a Paramedic, learning to operate the Jaws of Life to deliver critical on-scene emergency care. Her compassion extended far beyond the hospital walls; neighbors and friends frequently called upon her in the middle of the night for medical advice and quiet reassurance. After retiring, she founded the “Oldies,” a social group for hospital retirees who missed the fast-paced camaraderie of healthcare., a
A woman of profound faith and conviction, Bette lived the Beatitudes and firmly believed that "to those whom much is given, much is expected." She was a lifelong, active member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish (now St. Michael the Archangel of Holy Family Parish), serving as a lector, head of the parents' group at the parish school that she attended as did her children and President of the Parish Sodality, where she fostered a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother through May Processions and community events. She was deeply committed to advocacy, serving as a longtime board member for the Pottsville Agency for persons with intellectual disabilities, the Minersville Library Board and St. Joseph’s Center for Special Learning Board, where she and her beloved Husband, Joe, organized annual golf tournaments and other fundraising activities. Bette and her daughter Moira were constant companions - together they learned Ceili dancing with the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) and danced in St. Patrick’s Day parades and other events.
Bette was also an ardent political watchdog and champion for civic engagement. Her early love for politics began as a young girl, sleeping in the back of her parents' Chrysler sedan while they waited for the local votes to be counted during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first re-election campaign. Throughout her life, she remained active in local Democratic politics, serving as a poll watcher and campaign manager for her husband’s successful bids for Borough Council.
Above all, Bette cherished her family. She delighted in making holidays magical, decorating elaborately for every occasion and cooking grand meals for loved ones to enjoy. Her Holiday Sweater collection was legendary. On Christmas Eves, she could often be found meeting the final delivery truck at Pomeroy’s department store to secure the last missing gift on her children's wish lists. She was a willing co-pilot for Joe’s spontaneous Sunday adventures, packing picnic dinners for eight at a moment's notice for trips to Knoebels Grove or the Bicentennial celebrations. In her later years, "Grammy" was the ultimate supporter of her grandchildren, attending countless sporting events and traveling with Joe, including frequent trips to South Bend as a passionate Notre Dame football fan. Her home was always filled with warmth, love, and the irresistible scent of her famous roast beef dinners and homemade Christmas coffee cakes.
Bette was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph; her parents, Laura and William; her older brother, John Murphy; and her younger brother, William Phelan.
Services will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Holy Family Parish, 538 Sunbury St., Minersville, PA on Saturday, August 15, 2026 beginning with a Visitation in the Church from 9-10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM. Internment will follow immediately at Calvary Cemetery in Pottsville, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph’s Center for Special Learning, online at stjosephctr.networkforgood.com, 302 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
And also,
Memorial donations can be made to the Bette Brennan, RN Memorial Award for Emergency Nursing. To donate by mail, please make checks payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, including "Bette Brennan, RN Memorial Award" on memo line, and send to Penn Medicine Development Attn: Allyse Orsini, 3535 Market St. Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Donations can also be made by calling 267-788-0975 or visiting http://giving.apps.upenn.edu and searching ‘Bette Brennan’.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born in Lock Haven on Wednesday, November 15, 1961, a son of the late James Sr. and Carrie Walmer Carnathan. Bob was a 1980 graduate of Northern Lebanon High School. Following graduation, he went the Hiram G Andrews Center, Johnstown, for Business Management.
Bob also took classes for fire training and to become an EMT. He was a member of the Reinerton Fire Company, Jonestown Fire Company, and Tower City EMS. Bob also taught CPR classes with the Red Cross in Lebanon.
He was a member of the Well m4sq Church, Muir. Bob formerly belon ged to the Twin Valley Alliance Church.
He worked at Hershey Park for many years in the rides department and at Penn National Racecourse as an EMT, paramedic, and security guard. In his younger years, he worked at the former ACME and at Radio Shack.
He was a huge animal lover, having pet Guinea pigs and rabbits. Bob's love for rabbits started at a young age when he started raising dwarf, lop, and satin rabbits for shows. He also wrote poetry and had some published. Bob will be remembered for his joking around, having fun with friends, telling stories about past experiences, and sharing his one-of-a-kind sense of humor with other.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Carnathan Jr; his grandmother, Grammy Rebuck; numerous aunts and uncles.
Surviving are his wife, Cynthia Walborn Hileman Carnathan; his son, Titus Carnathan, Tower City; stepson Teddy Hileman, Newport; stepdaughter, Tiffany Hileman Ellis (Jordan), Downingtown; several close friends including Mike and Dave Meyers and Bob Graeff; numerous cousins.
Services will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM from the Well m4sq Church. Viewing will be from 10-11 at the church. Bob will be laid to rest in the Methodist Cemetery, Muir. Following the services, a luncheon and time of fellowship will be held at the church social hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory can be made to the Well m4sq Church, 111 Washington Street, Muir, PA 17957.
The family would like to thank the Tower City Community Ambulance, Life Team, Williamstown EMS, Hegins EMS, and all the local fire companies for all their help through Bob's health struggles.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Tower City, is honored to serve Bob's family.
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Janine was born in Pottsville on, Sunday, May 12, 1963, a daughter of the late Joseph and Betty Barnhart DeSantis.
She was a 1981 graduate of Williams Valley High School.
Janine was of the Catholic faith and was currently attending Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Parish in Reading.
She loved music and found joy in the little things in life. She was incredibly proud of her two sons and cherished the love and happiness they brought her. Above all, she adored her two granddaughters, who held a very special place in her heart.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Good, 2017.
Surviving are her two sons, Steven Good and his wife Liz, New York, and Ryan Good and his wife Dasha, Douglassville; two granddaughters, Amelia and Lauren Good; two brothers, Rev. Msgr. Joseph DeSantis, Reading, and James DeSantis and his wife Suzette, Jonestown.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM from the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Parish, Reading with her brother Rev. Msgr. Joseph DeSanits as celebrant. Her committal service will take place at approximately 2:30 PM in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Williamstown.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Tower City, is honored to serve the Good family.
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Born in Haddock, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Mary (Mostovick) Hladish. She was a proud first generation American as her parents immigrated from the Ukraine.
Mary was deeply devoted to her faith and praying the Rosary. As a young woman she was appointed as the union president of the Greek Rite Eastern PA Sodalities of Our Lady. She was a member of Church of All Saints, McAdoo.
She was a graduate of McAdoo High School (1948) and Empire Beauty School. In her younger years, Mary was a talented and devoted beautician who took great pride in her work. She especially cherished the years she spent working alongside her daughter, Mary.
Mary’s greatest love in life was being a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, caring for her large and loving family. She had a true gift for cooking and baking and took great pride in preparing delicious meals for those she loved. An avid gardener, Mary could often be found tending to her beautiful vegetable and flower gardens. She believed in the importance of education and always encouraged her children to read. A lifelong learner herself she enjoyed reading historical fiction, doing puzzles, and watching Jeopardy. She lived life to the fullest and even into her early 90’s she would travel to visit her children and grandchildren across the country.
She participated in community organizations throughout her life including being a den mother for the Cub Scouts as a young mother and a member of the Prime Timers later in life. She also helped organize several class reunions and pinched thousands of pierogies at the church.
Family was everything to Mary. She treasured the time she spent with her beloved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, creating cherished memories that will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She was a beacon of light and strength as the matriarch of the family by demonstrating a combination of toughness and tenderness through all the ups and downs she endured.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Joseph T. Dvorak; sons, Jimmy and Jeff; daughter, Linda Dvorak; brothers, John and Peter Hladish; and sisters, Martha Kushner and Jean Durishin.
Surviving are her children, Joseph and wife, Anna Jo; John and wife, Diane of Still Creek; Mary Garzio and husband, Mark of Lake Hauto; Jerome and wife, Janis of McAdoo; Jene and wife, Kerissa of Palmyra; Jude and wife, Sherry of New York; and Cathy Steffek and husband, Cory of Colorado; grandchildren, Joseph Dvorak and fiancee`, Pei Wen Tan; Michael Dvorak and fiancee`, Becca Sousa; Nina Thompson and husband, Chris; Amanda Garzio-Hadzick and husband, Zane; Julia Dvorak; Levi, Micah, Nicholas and Piper Dvorak; Ava Dvorak; and Olivia and Hannah Steffek; great-grandchildren, Stella, Ryker, Knox, Zoey and Azalea; sister, Lubow Powers, of Ringtown; and many nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will be held Saturday, August 15, beginning at 10:30 a.m. from the Damiano Funeral Home Inc., McAdoo. Very Rev. Eugene Ritz will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial in Church of All Saints, McAdoo, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Kunegunda’s R. C. Cemetery, McAdoo.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, August 15, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers and trees, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
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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
