Skook News Obituaries: September 10, 2026
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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Emilio Michael Sfarra, 92, of West Penn Township, Pennsylvania passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Salisbury Township. He was born on July 24, 1934 in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Tito Attilio and Giulia (Ciccozzi) Sfarra. Emilio was a 1952 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School.
Emilio was a devoted husband, father, and nonno. His life was defined by hard work and providing for his family. He was an expert mason, who contributed to building numerous schools, hospitals, and institutions in the Lehigh Valley, eventually working as a foreman for several years until his retirement in the mid-1990s. Emilio also established Mountain View Farm in 1973, a family-run Christmas tree business, along with his wife, Alberta, which he owned and operated until its closing in 2003.
Emilio was a very talented man, who created and maintained thriving vegetable gardens, a fruit tree orchard, and beehives on his gentleman’s farm, where he also raised pet livestock. He enjoyed hunting and deep sea fishing. Emilio was an avid and accomplished golfer and was awarded a PGA certificate of recognition for achieving a hole-in-one at 79 years of age. He also enjoyed watching sports and was a loyal Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. He was a member of St. John XXII Roman Catholic Church in Tamaqua.
Emilio is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alberta J. (Catrambone); daughters, Julia A. Sfarra, her companion, Brandon Frable, Susan B. Sfarra (Dr. Shail Maingi), Jennifer L. Sfarra, her companion, Ray Seifert; grandchildren Dakota Tempest (Danielle), Cherokee Hoppes (Kyle), Kiowa Tempest; and two great-grandchildren, Rhiannon and Ryder Tempest.
Emilio was preceded in death by his son, Michael J. Sfarra; and siblings, Anthony Sfarra, Anne Ciccozzi, Alia Roman, Angelo Sfarra.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 2066 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold, PA, 17960.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, 307 Pine Street, Tamaqua, PA, 18252,
Interment will be in St. Jerome’s Roman Catholic Church Cemetery in Tamaqua, PA.
Memorials in Emilio’s name may be made to
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, Tn 38105
www.stjude.org
Sue Ellen Dabravalskie, 75, of Scranton, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026, in Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late Lester Charles and Verna (Stapleton) Starr. Sue Ellen attended St. Clair schools and worked for many years as a manager of several local Hallmark card stores.
She was a lover of dogs with a soft spot for Greyhounds. Sue enjoyed listening to country music and her favorite band was Brooks and Dunn.
Sue Ellen is survived by one son, J.R. Dabravalskie and his wife, Cynthia, of Troutman, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Madison Mendolia and her husband, Andrew, and Amanda Dooley and her husband, John; five great-grandchildren, Andrew, Margo, John Ryan, Alisa, and Jackson; one brother, Raymond “Pete” Starr and his wife, Alice, of Berwick; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; four brothers, Gene, John “Jackie”, Charles, and Lester “Mike” Starr; and three sisters, Juanita Clemens, Betty Ann Yemm, Kathleen “Cookie” Farrell.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations in Sue Ellen’s name may be made to Linda Ann’s Greyhound Adoption, https://lindasgreys.com/donate/
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
Irene Dallago, 94, of Mar Lin, passed away Monday, September 7th, at the home of her daughter in Temple.
Irene was born in Duncott, Pa. on December 11, 1931, a daughter of the late Maria (Volosin) and Peter Verbosh.
She was the widow of Albert Dallago.
She was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Church of the Holy Family Parish, Minersville.
She was a seamstress working in various local garment factories, a school lunch lady, a cleaning worker for the Anthracite Building, an avid church goer who loved to travel and go to the casino. She enjoyed making pierogies and halupkies and spending time her family,
In addition to her parents and her husband, Albert, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter Sherry, her brothers, Peter, George, Joseph, Michael, Andrew, and John Verbosh. Sisters, Mary Verbosh, Anna Gavaletz, Julia Ryan, Veronica Sekellick, Bertha Petrishko, and Helen Platko.
Irene is survived by a daughter, Nancy Reinsel, three sons, Robert, husband of Karen Dallago, Albert J., husband of Amanda Dallago, Richard, husband of Michelle Dallago, She is also survived by Grandchildren, Ryan, Cecely, Maddelena, & Francesca Dallago. Great grandchildren, Vada, Thomas, Summer, Jade, Clayton and Mackenna.
All are respectfully invited to attend a Visitation Tuesday, September 15, from 9:30 to 10:30 am at Saint Michael the Archangel Church of the Holy Family Parish in Minersville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am. with Fr. Jojappa Adagatla, MSC officiating.
Interment at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made to the Holy Family Parish Memorial Fund.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.
Dolores M. Micko, 91, of Shenandoah, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Shenandoah Senior Living Community.
Born in Mahanoy City on November 23, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ethel (Wyatt) Noonan.
After high school, Dolores worked in the local garment industry for many years. She was a member of the Amalgamated Garment Workers Union. In her later years, she was very active in the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens and was past president of the organization. She loved playing bingo, shopping, and going to the casino.
Dolores was preceded by her husband John in 2008, her brother Joseph Noonan, and 3 sisters- Theresa Buckley, Ann Haferland, and Irene Avenoso.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews.
A visitation will take place on Wednesday, September 16th from 8:30am to 9:45am at the Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, Shenandoah. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am in Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah and will be officiated by Fr. Dominic Pham. Burial will follow in St. Stephen's Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.