Skook News Obituaries: September 8th, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Mary Edith (Holland) Rhoades, a devoted wife and mother, cherished educator, and pillar of her community, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, on July 19, 1940, Mary Edith lived a life defined by service, faith, and a deep dedication to others. A lifelong Catholic, her faith was her guiding light, anchoring her through life’s triumphs and trials and inspiring decades of involvement in her community.
For 33 years, Mary Edith touched countless lives as an English teacher at her alma mater Mahanoy Area High School. She possessed a natural gift for nurturing young minds, instilling not just knowledge, but confidence, kindness, and respect in herstudents. She served as the advisor of the cheerleaders, the band front, the National Honor Society, and she assisted in theatre arts productions. She served on the booster clubs of the Mahanoy Area football team, wrestling team, girls’ basketball team, and boys’ basketball team. She was a member of the Mahanoy Area Education Association and the Pennsylvania State Education Association. She loved encountering former students, especially on her daily walks through Mahanoy City.
She was the beloved wife of the late Pennsylvania State Senator James J. Rhoades, who preceded her in death in 2008. Together, they shared a profound commitment to public service. Upon his death, they established The James J. and Mary Edith Rhoades Foundation with the commitment to encourage, enrich, and educate children and families in the Coal Region they loved, including an annual scholarship competition for Schuylkill County high school seniors.
Her impact extended far beyond the classroom walls, as she was widely recognized as an active member of her community, always ready to lend a helping hand or advocate for the well-being of others. Mary Edith was a former member of Saint Canicus Roman Catholic Church where she served as a lector, the Elks Ladies Auxiliary of Mahanoy City, a board member of Schuylkill County Head Start, a board member of the Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a committee member of the Thomas Hrischak Memorial Honor Society banquet, and an original member of the Thirsty Thursday club.
Mary Edith’s greatest joy, however, was her family. She is survived by her children James J. Rhoades, Jr. and his wife Colleen; Dr. Alisa Rhoades Hobbs and her husband The Honorable Christopher W. Hobbs; and Michael D. Rhoades and his wife Jodie Rhoades. With education being a keystone of her parenting, she was very proud that all her children earned graduate degrees.
The loves of her life were her grandchildren: Meredith Rhoades, Jack Rhoades, Logan Rhoades, Porter Rhoades, Chase Rhoades, Caroline Hobbs, and Christopher Hobbs. Mary Edith rarely missed a game, tournament, dance recital, or any opportunity to cheer on all seven of her grandchildren. She lived long enough to see each one become an adult, and they were her favorite part of life.
She will be missed by her loving siblings: Mark (Mickey) Holland; Anne (Pinkey) Marshall and her husband, Attorney Alvin B. Marshall; and David Holland and his wife, Cheryl Holland; her sister-in-law Candis Rhoades Kester; her nieces and nephews who she loved dearly: Lauren Kleckner, Jamie Pugh, David Marshall, Alexandra Shaffer, David Holland, Kelsey Holland, Kristen Kufrovich, and Josh Kester; her incredible caretaker Tracey Mahmod; and her best friend since first grade Jeanne Kern. The family is thankful to her favorite doctor, Mark Brayford, for his kindness and care and for the incredible care of the staff of Providence Place in Pottsville.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12pm on Friday, September 11th in St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Mahanoy City and will be officiated by Msgr. William Glosser. Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday morning in the church from 10am until time of Mass. Burial will be conducted privately.
Her warmth, wisdom, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, extended family, former students, and the community she served so faithfully. Donations in her memory can be made to The James J. and Mary Edith Rhoades Foundation P.O. Box 485 Pottsville, PA 17901 or will be received at the visitation hours. Please read a good book in memory of Mrs. Rhoades.
Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, Shenandoah are entrusted with the arrangements with the assistance of James Haughney Jr.
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Born in Pottsville, July 21, 1971, Kimberly was the daughter of Robert Kehoe and Deborah Adams Kehoe.
Kimberly was a 1990 graduate of Pottsville Area High School. She then went on to achieve her Certified Nursing Aid Certificate.
Kimberly will be remembered for the love she shared with her family and the many lives touched throughout her life.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents; John and Dolores Adams and Robert and Edith Kehoe.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her daughters; Kierstin Guers wife of Casey of Orwigsburg, Kaitlin Jalonski wife of Denny of Pottsville, Lauren Ditzler. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Lilly, Willow, Lennon, Ivy, and Eden and her brother Kyle Kehoe husband to Nicole of Jersey Shore, PA, and their children; Knox, Kruz, Luna
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 18th at 11:00 A.M. at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven. A visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Interment will be held at a later date on the grounds of Schuylkill Memorial Park, LLC.
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Robert was a high school graduate of Niles, Ohio. He worked as a police officer in Philadelphia, dedicating his career to serving and protecting his community. He also proudly served his country in the United States Navy.
Robert had made Tamaqua his home since 2020 and was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Snapp) Phillips; his sons, Robert Phillips Jr. and his companion, Cynthia Foder of Ohio,and Edward Phillips and his wife, Megan, of Levittown; and his daughters, Barbara Forrest of Tamaqua, and Dolores Valentine and her husband, Cody, of Tamaqua and daughter in law Ann Galiczynski. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathy Endress, and her husband, Jim; his daughter, Deborah Phillips; his brothers, Richard “Dick” Phillips, Thomas Phillips, and Allen Phillips; and his sister, Cathy Poorbaugh.
Robert will be remembered for his service to his country and community, his years as a police officer, and most importantly, for his devotion to his family. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania
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Cynthia Ann O'Donnell, 65 of New Ringgold, PA passed away September 4, 2026 in her home surrounded by her family.
Born May 18, 1961 in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of the late Charles Joseph and Agnes (O'Brien) O'Donnell.
Cynthia worked as a laborer for many years.
Surviving are her son Raymond Ditzel, Joseph Ditzel, Christopher Ditzel, and daughter Stephanie Ditzel. New Ringgold and her former husband Roger Ditzel and her son Raymond Ditzel of New Ringgold.
Private arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Snapp) Phillips; his sons, Robert Phillips Jr. and his companion, Cynthia Foder of Ohio,and Edward Phillips and his wife, Megan, of Levittown; and his daughters, Barbara Forrest of Tamaqua, and Dolores Valentine and her husband, Cody, of Tamaqua and daughter in law Ann Galiczynski. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathy Endress, and her husband, Jim; his daughter, Deborah Phillips; his brothers, Richard “Dick” Phillips, Thomas Phillips, and Allen Phillips; and his sister, Cathy Poorbaugh.
Robert will be remembered for his service to his country and community, his years as a police officer, and most importantly, for his devotion to his family. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania
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Born May 18, 1961 in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of the late Charles Joseph and Agnes (O'Brien) O'Donnell.
Cynthia worked as a laborer for many years.
Surviving are her son Raymond Ditzel, Joseph Ditzel, Christopher Ditzel, and daughter Stephanie Ditzel. New Ringgold and her former husband Roger Ditzel and her son Raymond Ditzel of New Ringgold.
Private arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.
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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
