Obituaries published for the Schuylkill County area on .
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Kevin E. Garger
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Kevin E. Garger, 70, of New Ringgold, passed away on , at his home.
Born on April 3, 1956, in Allentown, Kevin was a son of the late Frank E. Garger and Marie H. (Petracovich) Garger.
Kevin was a talented mechanic. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and collecting cars and was a member of the Sportsman’s Rod and Gun Club.
He is survived by his son, Marshall J. Garger and his wife, Alicia, of Orefield, and his brother, Bruce J. Garger.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., New Ringgold.
Lila M. Shoup
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Lila M. Shoup, 75, of Girardville, passed away peacefully on , at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Ashland, she was a daughter of the late Kenneth and Mary (Willis) Kessler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved son, Shawn Patrick Shoup; a brother, James Kessler; and her lifelong friend, Virginia Bann.
Lila was a 1967 graduate of North Schuylkill High School. Following graduation, she pursued her education as a licensed practical nurse and went on to enjoy a 40-year career in nursing. She last worked at SCI Mahanoy in Frackville until her retirement. Throughout her career, Lila was a dedicated union representative at both SCI Mahanoy and Ashland State Hospital.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, godmother and friend who cherished the time she spent with her family.
Lila is survived by her daughters, Rita Ann Hartz and her husband, Michael, of Girardville, and Candice Squires and her husband, Thomas J., of Girardville; her nephew, Joseph C. Shoup, of Pittsburgh; her brothers, Joseph Kessler and his wife, Jean Ann, of Girardville, Jack Kessler of Shenandoah, and Kenneth “Butch” Kessler of Girardville; and her sister, Ann Marie Kushwarra and her husband, Fred, of Frackville.
She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Meah Hartz and Tate and Willow Squires; her godson, Kevin Kushwarra; her goddaughter, Kimberly Ann Gonzalez; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at , at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Ashland. Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Fountain Springs.
To sign the guest book, leave condolences or obtain additional information, visit Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home.
The Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Girardville, is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy E. (Klinger) Blyler
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Dorothy E. (Klinger) Blyler, 80, of Spring Glen, passed away on , at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on December 23, 1945, in Spring Glen, a daughter of the late Herman Henry Klinger and Edith Hannah (Kissinger) Klinger.
Dorothy was co-owner of Blyler Fruit Farm in Spring Glen and a member of the Valley View Church of God. Her life revolved around farming and her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elvin C. “Bud” Blyler, on January 4, 2022. They were married for 59 years.
She is survived by a son, Daniel E. Blyler and his wife, Carol, of Lykens; three daughters, Ann M. Blyler of Gratz, Carole A. Schlegel and her husband, Lee, of Valley View, and Kay M. Reiner and her husband, Michael, of Klingerstown; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; her sister, Linda M. Morgan and her husband, Ivan, of Lewisberry; and several nieces and nephews.
A public viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on , at the Valley View Church of God.
Funeral services will follow at noon at the church, with the Rev. Bob Cassel officiating. Burial will follow in the Valley View Church of God Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Valley View Church of God, 900 W. Main St., Valley View, PA 17983.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is honored to serve the Blyler family.
Marlene A. Glenn
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Marlene A. Glenn, 81, a former Pottsville resident who resided at Rosewood Nursing Center, passed away peacefully on .
Marlene was born in Auburn, Maine, on November 8, 1944, a daughter of the late Merle and Blanche (Bulka) Adams. She graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in sociology.
After living briefly in Washington, D.C., she and her husband, Paul, moved to the Pottsville area. She was a full-time mother to her two sons. She worked at Waldenbooks and GNC in the Fairlane Village Mall, then for Schuylkill County Child Development and later as a caregiver for her youngest son, Adam.
She was a member of the former Schuylkill Unitarian Universalist Church and a former member of the Red Hat Society, Schuylkill Democratic Committee and Pottsville Democratic Committee. She enjoyed reading books and completing crossword puzzles.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul L. Glenn Jr., and a brother, Chester Adams.
She is survived by her sons, Paul Glenn III and his wife, Heidi, of Schuylkill Haven, and Adam Glenn of Pottsville.
Four grandchildren, Taylor Beach, Emily Beach, Hannah Glenn and Phoebe Glenn, and a great-granddaughter, Naomi Beach, also survive, along with many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her loving sisters- and brothers-in-law, whose love, support and cherished memories will forever remain part of her family’s story.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at , at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 W. Market St., Pottsville. Visitation with Marlene’s family will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. before the service.
Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home is honored to serve Marlene’s family.
Bernard Stephen Gustis
Bernard Stephen Gustis, 84, passed away suddenly on . He was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Born September 11, 1942, in Middleport, Bernard was a son of the late Joseph P. and Anna (Petrosky) Gustis.
He was one of seven siblings: the late Joseph W. Gustis and his wife, Rita (Smith) Gustis; Alice (Gustis) DeMaio and her late husband, Joseph DeMaio; Anna (Gustis) Schneider and her late husband, Theodore Schneider; Dorothy (Gustis) DiChiara and her husband, Carmine DiChiara; Madeline Gustis; and the late Anthony Gustis. Bernard was blessed with many cousins, nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.
Bernard was a 1960 graduate of Blue Mountain High School following its merger with Cressona High School that year. He proudly served his country for 27 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a master sergeant.
His distinguished military career included a tour in Vietnam and numerous awards and decorations, including the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and National Defense Service Medal.
Above all, Bernard was devoted to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Setsuko (Shimabukuro) Gustis, and his children, Stephen Joseph Gustis, Barbra Ann Gustis, Peter Bernard Gustis and Michael Vincent Gustis.
An outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. His most adventurous travels included taking his family to live in Okinawa, Japan, and exploring more than 40 states, including several weeks of ice fishing and whale watching in Alaska.
In keeping with Bernard’s wishes, he will be cremated and his remains will be placed at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on , followed by Mass. Both will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, where Bernard served as an usher.
The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Grabowski Funeral Home in Schuylkill Haven, the Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik, M.Div., and the Rev. Hy Gia Ngô, also known as Father James, for their kindness, care and assistance.
Bernard will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his proud service to his country and the generosity and friendship he gave so freely.
Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven, is entrusted with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at Grabowski Funeral Home.
Janet Meneeley
Janet Meneeley, 85, of Media and formerly of Lansdowne, passed away on .
Born on December 21, 1940, in Philadelphia, Janet was a daughter of the late W. George and Elsie Wiggins.
Janet graduated from Lansdowne Aldan High School and West Chester University. After graduation, she taught mathematics at Ridley Middle School for several years.
She married Merrill Meneeley early in her teaching career. The couple had two children and were married for 46 years before his passing in 2012.
Always focused on her friends and family, Janet enjoyed annual vacations at the beach, trips throughout the United States, holiday meals and spending quality time with those she loved. An avid card and game player, she was always available for a competitive game of Hand and Foot, Rummikub or Sequence.
She is survived by her son, Doug Meneeley and his wife, Jennifer; her daughter, Cindy Brown; grandchildren, Abby, Erin and Chloe; her sister, Gail Fowler; Bob and Mary Ellen Meneeley; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside funeral service at , at Zion Methodist Cemetery in Aristes.
Condolences may be shared through the Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home. The funeral home, located in Ashland, is in charge of arrangements.
Rosalie Umstead
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Rosalie Umstead, 88, formerly of Andreas, passed away on , at St. Luke’s Carbon Campus in Lehighton.
Born March 12, 1938, in Dover, New Jersey, Rosalie was a daughter of the late Harry and Luella (Norman) Grainer.
Rosalie worked as a telemarketer for Flag Ship Resort and also worked at Turkey Hill in Lansford.
She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, including yard sales, line dancing and bingo.
She is survived by her daughter, Kimmy, wife of Stephen Mulik; son, Robert E. Stalter Jr.; sister, Jean Schurich; grandchildren, Denice McPhail and her companion, Larry Morris, Lisa McPhail and her companion, Rich Fedele, and Kristin Umstead; great-grandchildren, Steven, Deziray, Tori, Jamie and Anna; and a great-great-grandchild, Rosalie.
Rosalie was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Umstead; son, Leonard C. Umstead; daughter, Rose Marie Marek; brothers, Harry and Nathan; sisters, Stella, Lillian, Martha, Ethel and Leonora; and grandsons, Walter McPhail and Leonard Umstead.
Rosalie will be laid to rest with her late husband, Leonard, at a cemetery in New Jersey.
Marie Mae Schach Zimmerman
Marie Mae Schach Zimmerman, 88, formerly of South Lebanon Township, passed away at Cornwall Manor Health Center on . She was the wife of Kenneth G. “KZ” Zimmerman, who passed away on June 30, 2024.
Born on February 13, 1938, in Ravine, she was a daughter of the late Henry E. and Minerva Heinbach Schach.
Marie was a 1956 graduate of Pine Grove High School.
She wanted to become a teacher after graduation, but life took her on another path. She was a stay-at-home mother until her children were in fifth, sixth and ninth grades, when she began working at South Lebanon Elementary School. She worked as a teacher’s aide for 32 years before retiring at age 72.
She loved gardening, crocheting, playing cards with her card club, attending Hershey Bears games, musicals and concerts at Hershey Theatre, and supporting her grandchildren’s school activities. Her favorite sport was baseball, and she loved watching or listening to her beloved Philadelphia Phillies.
Marie was an active member of Quentin United Church of Christ until her husband’s health declined and she became his caregiver.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Schach, and a brother, David Schach.
Surviving are her children, Keane Zimmerman and his wife, Marjorie, of the Philippines, Judy Gardyasz and her husband, Miroslaw, of Grantville, and Kathy McCoy of Harrisburg; 12 grandchildren, Elizabeth Harrison and her husband, Mike, Abe Zimmerman and his wife, Izzie, Benjamin Zimmerman, Kristin Rhie and her husband, Kevin, Kimmy Egbert and her husband, Alex, Alyssa San Severino and her husband, Anthony, Meghan Keyworth and her husband, David, Keegan McCoy and his wife, Amy, Ryne McCoy, Chrissie Zimmerman Joshi, Faith Ann Zimmerman and Zach Zimmerman; 15 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Irene Shomper of Hegins and Mary Jane Schach of Pine Grove.
Friends and family are invited to attend her funeral service at , at H.L. Snyder Funeral Home in Pine Grove, with Abe Zimmerman officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Interment will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Pine Grove.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lebanon County Meals on Wheels, 710 Maple St., Second Floor, Lebanon, PA 17046; the Cornwall Manor Benevolent Fund, Cornwall Manor Advancement Office, P.O. Box 125, Cornwall, PA 17016-0125; or Quentin United Church of Christ, 11 E. Main St., Lebanon, PA 17042.
Marie spent her lifetime caring for others, often placing their needs before her own, and is now at peace. Her family thanks the staff at Cornwall Manor Health Center for their love and care.
Martin J. Donohue Sr.
Martin J. Donohue Sr., 90, of Pottsville, passed away on , at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on February 16, 1936, in Pottsville, a son of the late Dr. Joseph Donohue and Margaret (O’Neil) Donohue.
He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church and a registered professional land surveyor.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Martin J. Donohue Jr.
He is survived by his loving wife, Rosemarie (Snukis) Donohue; children, Christine, Shawn and Colleen; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sisters, Molly and Sarah.
Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville, is honored to serve the Donohue family.